U.S. Consulates Fukuoka: Cybersecurity Roadshow Program – Japan

Program Objectives

• Central Japan is the country’s manufacturing powerhouse, especially in the aerospace and automobile sectors. However, the region remains vulnerable to cyberattacks, even among industries that are critical to global supply chains. To strengthen Central Japan’s cybersecurity capabilities and raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity is essential for bolstering economic security. Meanwhile, the Kyushu region is an important and growing center of semiconductor design and production. Known by the moniker “Silicon Island”, Kyushu is a crucial link in global supply chains. The region’s top-notch research universities and the small and medium enterprises that support the semiconductor industry, however, need to update and modernize their cyber defenses to protect their role in global supply chains. Crucial to this effort will be modernizing how cybersecurity is taught in Kyushu’s universities.
• Raising cybersecurity awareness, improving cybersecurity education, and strengthening cyber defenses in these two regions is a crucial component of improving Japan’s economic security.
• This project aims to share information security best practices and strengthen cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, industry, and academia.
• The project will involve holding cybersecurity-focused events in Central Japan and in Kyushu that include participation from Japanese leaders in government, academia, the private sector, and civil society responsible for cybersecurity and digital innovation. Possible formats for these events include panel discussions, conferences, and workshops. Panelists/presenters/trainers should include both U.S. and Japanese experts in cybersecurity who can address important themes such as: public-private sector cooperation in cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, cybersecurity education in the United States, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, etc.

Funding Information

• Length of performance period: Up to 24 months
• Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000
• Anticipated program start date: No later than September 30, 2024
• Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 2 years or less

Priority Region: Japan

Participants and Audiences

• Japanese leaders in national and local government, academia, the private sector, and civil society engaged in cybersecurity and digital innovation.

Eligible Applicants

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• Public international organizations and governmental institutions.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.