International students aspiring to pursue graduate studies in Japan can now prepare for one of the country’s most respected private scholarship programmes. The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) has announced that applications for its 2027 Scholarship for Foreign Students will open from 1 September to 31 October 2026.
The scholarship offers generous monthly financial support of up to ¥230,000 for outstanding international students enrolled in Master’s and Doctoral (PhD) programmes at recognized Japanese universities.
Unlike many scholarship schemes in Japan, the Honjo Scholarship does not require university nomination, allowing eligible students to apply directly to the Foundation after securing admission to a Japanese graduate school.
Scholarship Benefits
The Honjo International Scholarship provides monthly living support throughout the standard duration of an eligible graduate programme.
The monthly scholarship amount depends on the length of the degree:
| Programme Duration | Monthly Scholarship |
|---|---|
| 1–2 years | ¥230,000 |
| 3 years | ¥210,000 |
| More than 3 years | ¥180,000 |
Rather than offering a one-time grant, the Foundation provides continuous financial support, helping scholars focus on their academic studies and research without the burden of significant living expenses.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to international students from all countries who meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants must generally:
- Hold non-Japanese nationality
- Have been admitted to, or plan to enroll in, a recognized graduate school in Japan
- Pursue a Master’s or Doctoral (PhD) degree
- Conduct research in any academic discipline
- Meet all eligibility requirements outlined by the Foundation
One of the programme’s major advantages is that applicants can submit their applications directly to the Foundation, without requiring nomination or recommendation from their university.
Students applying from outside Japan are also eligible, provided they have already secured admission before submitting their scholarship application.
Eligible Fields of Study
The Honjo Scholarship welcomes applicants from virtually every academic discipline.
Eligible fields include, but are not limited to:
- Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Science
- Medicine
- Public Health
- Economics
- Business
- Environmental Science
- Natural Sciences
- Agriculture
- Education
- Law
- International Relations
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Architecture
- Arts and Design
- Technology
- Other graduate research programmes offered by Japanese universities
Supported degree levels include:
- Master’s Degree
- Doctoral (PhD) Degree
Why the Honjo Scholarship Stands Out
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation programme offers several advantages that distinguish it from many other scholarships available in Japan.
Key features include:
- Direct application without university nomination
- Open to applicants of every nationality
- Available across all academic disciplines
- Applications accepted from students outside Japan after university admission
- Monthly financial support throughout the standard duration of study
- Prestigious programme awarding scholarships to approximately 10 international students each year
Selection Process
The Foundation follows a competitive, multi-stage selection process.
Applicants are evaluated through:
- Document screening
- Interview for shortlisted candidates
- Final scholarship selection
Only applicants who successfully pass the document review stage will be invited for an interview.
Because the Foundation selects only around 10 scholars annually, competition is expected to be highly competitive.
Can Scholarship Recipients Hold Other Awards?
The Foundation generally does not permit recipients to receive multiple scholarships simultaneously.
However, exceptions exist for certain approved funding programmes, including:
- Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
- Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students
- JSPS International Fellowship
- JST Fellowship (where concurrent funding is permitted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency)
Applicants currently receiving financial assistance should carefully review the Foundation’s eligibility guidelines before applying.
Important Dates
The scholarship timeline for the 2027 intake is as follows:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 1 September 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Document Screening Results | 31 January 2027 |
| Interviews | 9 February 2027 |
| Final Scholarship Results | 31 March 2027 |
An Excellent Opportunity to Study in Japan
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarship is one of Japan’s most accessible and prestigious private funding opportunities for international graduate students. With generous monthly financial support, no university nomination requirement, and eligibility across all academic disciplines, it offers an excellent pathway for talented students pursuing Master’s or PhD studies in Japan.
Given that only about 10 scholarships are awarded each year, applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their research proposal, supporting documents, and interview presentation well in advance to maximize their chances of success.
