SCHOLARSHIP FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS STUDYING IN JAPANESE GRADUATE SCHOOL (HONJO SCHOLARSHIP)

Application Period: 11am on September 1, 2026 ~ October 31, 2026

LOCATION: Japan

This scholarship is open to international students who study or plan to study in a Japanese graduate school for a doctoral or master’s degree. Applications can be submitted from abroad as long as the applicant is accepted into a Japanese graduate school. All nationalities and research fields are welcome. Applicants may directly apply to the foundation without pre-selection by the university. The scholarship is available for all accepted applicants (both admitted and enrolled).

ELIGIBILITY:

Must not have Japanese citizenship

Must be currently admitted to APU or in the process of applying (for either a master’s or doctoral program).

Conversational proficiency in Japanese is required. Interviews will be conducted in Japanese.

Applicants for the master’s program must be 30 years old or younger when starting the program; Applicants for the doctoral program must be 35 years old or younger when starting the program.

Must have a strong intention to pursue a future career serving their home country.

Must have a deep understanding of international friendship and goodwill, and be willing to participate in events organized by the Foundation and join its alumni network

Applicants who wish to apply for the Honjo scholarship should check the foundation information site for the application period and eligibility and apply accordingly.

There may be changes to the scholarship conditions. Please be sure to check the details on the scholarship organization’s website.

BENEFIT:

The scholarship will be provided monthly throughout the minimum period required to acquire the degree. The amount of scholarship differs based on the period as below:

¥230,000 per month for a ~1-2-year degree
¥210,000 per month for a 3-year degree
¥180,000 per month for beyond 3 years of degree

APPLY

THE RYOICHI SASAKAWA YOUNG LEADERS FELLOWSHIP FUND (SYLFF) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Application Deadline: March 19, 2027

LOCATION: Japan

The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) has been established at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University thanks to the kindness of The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research’s Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF). The scholarship aims to cultivate future leaders who will be active both domestically and internationally. Every year, one student from each graduate school will be nominated for the scholarship. The Sylff program aims to identify and nurture leaders who will overcome differences in nationality, language, ethnicity, religion, and political systems to tackle global issues and whose high integrity and drive to address issues unique to their respective countries can make a real difference.

ELIGIBILITY:

Demonstrate a clear commitment to the following:

Take a cross-disciplinary approach to tackle global issues and overcome differences of nationality, language, religion, and political systems.

Propose research content that is consistent with the basic theme of “Issues and Opportunities Facing the Asia-Pacific Region: Rapid Transformation amid Accelerating Globalization.”

Conduct research that is for the benefit of the general public and contributes to social development, freedom, peace, humanity, and international mutual understanding.

Have a strong sense of initiative towards their chosen issue or problem, and have the determination and potential to take a leading role on the domestic and/or international stage

Not currently be receiving, nor be recommended for, any external scholarships.

Please note that APU Tuition Reduction Scholarships are not considered external scholarships. Recipients of this scholarship will not be eligible to receive the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship (JASSO) or any other external scholarship with a monthly stipend exceeding 48,000 JPY.


For details regarding eligibility requirements, please review the application guidelines on the scholarship organization website

Application and Selection Process

The Sylff Scholarship only accepts applications for September enrollment. Therefore, please indicate your request to be considered as a Sylff Scholarship candidate in the APU Online Application System and submit your application by March 19, 2027.

APU reviews application documents and selects eligible candidates.

Final results will be announced by APU in June 2027. Recipients will be notified via email.

Required Document:

Research Proposal:

Please refer to the “Research Proposal” section in the APPLICATION PROCESS of the 2027 Graduate Application Handbook and prepare your Research Proposal accordingly

There may be changes to the scholarship conditions. Please be sure to check the details on the scholarship organization’s website.

BENEFIT:

1,500,000 JPY (125,000 JPY/month)

Payment is 125,000 per month from October 2026 to September 2027 and is to be canceled if the recipient takes a leave of absence or loses their enrollment status at APU (due to withdrawal, expulsion, etc.).

APPLY