Honjo International Scholarship 2027: Up to ¥230,000/Month
The Honjo International Scholarship 2027 is open to non-Japanese students who are enrolled in, or applying to, a master’s or doctoral programme at a graduate school in Japan. The award pays ¥180,000 to ¥230,000 per month for the minimum period needed to complete the degree. Applications are open from 1 September to 31 October 2026, and the Foundation expects to select approximately 10 scholars.
Japan
Master’s and PhD
¥180,000–¥230,000
31 October 2026
Funding and benefits
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation pays a monthly, non-repayable stipend throughout the shortest standard period needed to complete the intended degree:
- ¥230,000 per month for a one- or two-year degree;
- ¥210,000 per month for a three-year degree;
- ¥180,000 per month for a four- or five-year degree;
- a possible travel grant for an international conference, subject to the Foundation’s rules.
Important: the official guideline describes a monthly scholarship; it does not state that tuition fees are paid. Applicants should budget separately for university fees and confirm costs with their chosen graduate school. The payment period cannot be changed after it begins.
Recipients generally may not combine the award with another scholarship, except for the specifically listed MEXT, Monbukagakusho Honors, JSPS International Fellowship, certain JST, and JICA awards. Employment is limited to study-related part-time work such as teaching or research assistance and certain international-exchange roles.
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet all conditions in the 2027 guideline:
- not hold Japanese citizenship;
- be enrolled in, or applying for, a graduate programme at a Japanese university for April 2027; applicants planning to enter in autumn 2027 may also apply;
- have more than 12 months remaining until graduation;
- start a PhD by age 35 or a master’s degree by age 30, with no exceptions stated;
- show a strong commitment to contributing to their home country;
- understand international friendship and goodwill and be willing to join Foundation events and its alumni network;
- be able to hold a basic conversation in Japanese, because the interview is conducted in Japanese.
Students at professional graduate schools are generally ineligible, although those able to submit a research plan may apply. Both people already enrolled and people still applying—including applicants currently employed—can be eligible if they meet the enrolment conditions.
Language requirements
The Foundation does not list a named language-test score. However, basic spoken Japanese is mandatory and the interview is in Japanese without exception. The required research proposal uses the Foundation template and must be written in Japanese; an English version may be added if the applicant is not confident in Japanese. The required two-minute research video may be presented in Japanese or English.
Required documents and files
- a face photograph in JPG or GIF format, no larger than 500 kB;
- a required research-plan video of up to two minutes in MP4 or MOV format, no larger than 1 GB, with the applicant’s face visible;
- an optional self-promotion video of up to 30 seconds;
- undergraduate academic transcript in Japanese or English, with a translation if issued in another language;
- graduate transcript, if available;
- the designated research-proposal form in Japanese, covering the research content and schedule, contribution to the home country, and prior research, academic and social achievements;
- a signed or sealed recommendation letter from a current or previous supervisor;
- proof of admission or enrolment, when available.
If the admission document is not ready by 31 October 2026, applicants must enter the expected issue date in the system and email the document to the Foundation as soon as it becomes available. Recommendation letters sent directly by recommenders must reach the Foundation by the application deadline.
How to apply
- Check the official guideline. Confirm every eligibility condition, especially age, programme start, remaining enrolment period and Japanese ability.
- Prepare the research proposal. Use the Foundation’s designated template and address all three requested areas.
- Record the required video. Keep the research presentation within two minutes and follow the file and visibility rules.
- Collect transcripts, recommendation and admission evidence. Translate transcripts that are not in Japanese or English.
- Complete the online form. Upload the required files through the Foundation’s application system.
- Save the application PDF and number. The Foundation publishes successful first-round application numbers on its website.
Apply Now on the Official Portal
Application deadline
The application system is open from 1 September to 31 October 2026. The official page states that the system opens at 11:00 a.m. on 1 September, but it does not publish an exact closing time or time zone for 31 October. Do not assume a midnight cutoff; submit early. This is the scholarship deadline, separate from any admission deadline set by the applicant’s Japanese university.
Selection process
The first stage is document screening. Successful application numbers are scheduled to be posted by 31 January 2027. Shortlisted applicants then attend an interview in early February 2027, planned for Tokyo or by video call. The final result is scheduled for 31 March 2027. The published materials do not provide a numerical scoring rubric, so applicants should not treat unofficial selection claims as confirmed.
Practical tips for applicants
- Write the research plan around a clear question, realistic timeline and measurable contribution to your home country.
- Ask for the recommendation early and give the recommender the official requirements, deadline and your application number.
- Practise explaining your project conversationally in Japanese before submitting, because the interview itself is in Japanese.
- Keep local copies of every upload, the generated application PDF and the application number.
- Apply to the Japanese graduate school independently and track its admission timeline; this scholarship does not replace university admission.
Who should prioritize this scholarship?
This scholarship is especially attractive for international graduate students who already have a realistic Japan study plan and can handle a Japanese-language interview. It is less suitable for applicants looking for a complete tuition-and-travel package, because the Foundation states that the award is a monthly stipend and does not cover university tuition or initial travel costs.
- Strong fit: non-Japanese master’s or PhD applicants with a clear research plan, a Japanese graduate-school pathway and enough Japanese for a simple interview discussion.
- Useful flexibility: applicants may apply directly to the Foundation without university pre-selection, and those still waiting for an admission result can apply if they follow the Foundation’s instructions.
- Important limitation: this is not an undergraduate scholarship and not a general living-and-tuition package.
- Competition context: the Foundation indicates approximately 10 awards, so applicants should treat the research plan and two-minute research video as central selection materials rather than routine paperwork.
ScholarshipHubNow editorial note: applicants should budget university tuition and arrival costs separately before treating the stipend as sufficient funding for their full Japan study plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Honjo International Scholarship fully funded?
It provides a substantial monthly stipend and may provide a conference travel grant, but the official 2027 guideline does not say that tuition fees are covered. It is more accurate to describe it as a funded graduate scholarship than as guaranteed full-cost funding.
Can I apply from outside Japan?
Yes. The Foundation says applicants may apply from abroad if they are accepted to a Japanese graduate school, and the guideline also allows applicants whose admission document is still pending by the deadline to provide it later.
Is Japanese required?
Yes. Basic Japanese conversation is required, and the interview is conducted in Japanese. No named proficiency certificate or minimum test score is stated.
Can I receive another scholarship at the same time?
Generally no, except for the specific MEXT, Monbukagakusho Honors, JSPS, approved JST and JICA awards listed in the guideline.
How many awards are available?
The Foundation expects to award approximately 10 scholarships.
Other verified opportunities
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2027
- Oxford Clarendon Scholarship 2027–28
- UNESCO/Japan Young Researchers’ Fellowships
Official sources
- Honjo Foundation scholarship page
- Official 2027 application guideline (PDF)
- Official online application system
ScholarshipHubNow verified these details against the Foundation’s official pages on 8 October 2026. Applicants should recheck the source pages before submitting because programme rules can change.
