The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) offers one of the most generous scholarships in Japan, specifically targeting outstanding international students pursuing graduate degrees. The Foundation’s mission is to support talented students who will become future visionary leaders capable of contributing to global society, particularly by serving as a bridge between Japan and their home country.
This scholarship is designed for Master’s and Doctoral students studying at any Japanese university, across all academic fields, from engineering to humanities. Honjo’s unique feature is its substantial monthly stipend, which allows recipients to focus intensely on their academic and research pursuits without significant financial strain.
Honjo International Scholarship Foundation believes in fostering international friendship and goodwill. Recipients are expected to participate actively in Foundation events and join a prestigious alumni network upon graduation. The selection process is highly competitive, emphasizing academic excellence, a clearly defined research plan, and a strong commitment to future service in the applicant’s home country.
Also apply for Japanese Government Scholarship.
Scholarship Coverage
The Honjo International Scholarship provides a substantial tax-free monthly stipend that varies based on the required length of the degree program. This stipend is designed to cover living expenses, and the recipient is under no obligation to repay the funds.
The scholarship provides three different monthly stipend amounts:
- ¥230,000 JPY per month for programs lasting 1 to 2 years (Master’s).
- ¥210,000 JPY per month for programs lasting 3 years (Master’s or Doctoral).
- ¥180,000 JPY per month for programs lasting 4 to 5 years (Doctoral).
Additionally, the Foundation provides a travel grant to cover expenses for attending an international conference, if required by the scholarship provision rules.
Eligibility Criteria
The Honjo International Scholarship is designed for non-Japanese graduate students with a clear commitment to their home country’s development.
There are three key eligibility requirements for the Honjo International Scholarship:
- Academic Level: Applicants must be enrolled in or planning to attend a Master’s or Doctoral program at a Japanese graduate school. The duration of enrollment until graduation must be longer than 12 months.
- Age Limits: The Foundation enforces strict age limits: Master’s applicants must be under 30 years old, and Doctoral applicants must be under 35 years old when starting their program (no exceptions apply).
- Language Proficiency: Applicants must be able to carry out a basic conversation in Japanese. This is mandatory because the final interview will be conducted in Japanese.
Application Process
The application process is managed directly by the Foundation via an online system and is independent of university pre-selection.
There are three main steps in the application process:
- Online Submission: You must access the official online application system, fill out the application form, and upload all required documents.
- Required Documents: Applicants must submit academic documents, such as official transcripts, a research proposal, and a recommendation letter from an academic supervisor.
- Video Presentation: A mandatory component is a short video (up to two minutes) in which the applicant presents their research plan.
Successful candidates who pass the initial document screening are then invited to the final interview examination, which takes place in February.
Deadline
The application period for the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation follows two cycles (Spring and Fall enrollment) each year.
The deadline for the Spring (April 2026 enrollment) application is typically October 31, 2025.
- Application Period: The application window usually runs from September 1 to October 31 of the year prior to enrollment.
- Final Result: Final results are typically announced by March 31, 2026.
