AFLSP Kyoto University Scholarship 2027 – Fully Funded Master's in Japan

Status: Open — deadline 13 November 2026, 5:00 pm Japan time. Last checked: 8 November 2026.

The AFLSP Kyoto University Scholarship 2027 (Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program) at Kyoto University is a fully funded scholarship for Master’s students in Japan. Established by the Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI) and delivered at Kyoto University as AFLSP@KU, it supports students for two years with generous living support, tuition and admission fees, plus a professional enrichment program.

Applications for April 2027 enrollment are open now — and the window is short. The deadline is 13 November 2026 at 5:00 pm Japan time.

AFLSP Kyoto University Scholarship at a glance

Host country	Japan
University	Kyoto University
Scholarship	Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP), established by Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI)
Study levels	Master’s, professional degree, first-year doctoral
Duration	Two years
Funding	Fully funded
Monthly living support	Approx. JPY 150,000–250,000 in total
Deadline	13 November 2026, 5:00 pm Japan time
Enrollment	April 2027

What the scholarship covers

Two years of substantial living support of approximately JPY 150,000–250,000 per month in total. The exact amount varies depending on the exchange rate.
Admission fee and tuition fee.
A professional enrichment program, including the BXAI Summer Program and networking with scholars and alumni across Asia.

Note: some secondary guides quote the monthly support as JPY 150,000–220,000. The official AFLSP@KU homepage states approximately JPY 150,000–250,000 per month in total — that is the figure used here. Confirm the exact amount in the official application guidelines.

Who can apply

First, you must hold citizenship of one of these countries or regions:

China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, East Timor, Philippines, Bhutan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Mongolia, Laos.

Then check the full eligibility rules in the official application guidelines, including the age limit and the route in — applicants must either have passed the Kyoto University graduate school entrance examination or be studying at one of the designated partner universities. The program is for Master’s, professional degree and first-year doctoral students in any field offered by a Kyoto University graduate school.

Scholars are required to complete the program requirements, including the BXAI Summer Program, and to show strong personal integrity, high English proficiency and an interest in international and intercultural understanding.

Documents you need

Send all application documents as PDF files inside a single ZIP folder to AFLSP@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp. Documents submitted outside the application period, by any other method, or incomplete, will not be accepted under any circumstances. Submitted documents are not returnable.

Scholarship Application Form
Research Plan (in any format)
Essay on a contemporary key issue in Asia
Letter of Recommendation
Photograph of the applicant
Certificate of English Proficiency (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, etc.) — an English Proficiency Form is available for those unable to submit a certificate
Copy of university diploma (if graduated)
Certificate of enrollment (if expecting to graduate)
Academic transcript
Declaration of Understanding and Agreement for an International Student Scholarship Application
Letter of admission from a Kyoto University graduate school (if you cannot obtain it by the deadline, state this in your application and submit it as soon as possible)
Copy of Residence Card, both sides (only if you live in Japan at the time of application)
Chinese academic credential verification documents (only if you graduated or will graduate from a designated university in China)

How to apply for the AFLSP Kyoto University Scholarship

Check your citizenship against the list above.
Read the complete Eligibility and Selection Criteria and the April 2027 application guidelines on the official AFLSP site.
Check the obligations of AFLSP scholars.
Prepare the documents listed above as PDFs in a single ZIP folder.
Email the ZIP folder to AFLSP@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp between 4 and 13 November 2026, before 5:00 pm Japan time on 13 November.

Selection process and timeline

Mid- to late November 2026: Stage 1 screening (document screening by the Kyoto University selection committee).
Early December 2026 (tentative): Stage 1 results notified by email.
Mid- to late December 2026 (tentative): Stage 2 screening (interview by the Kyoto University selection committee).
Mid-January 2027 (tentative): Stage 2 results notified by email.
Then: an interview conducted by BXAI leaders and board members (date to be decided).

Deadline

The application period for April 2027 enrollment is 4 to 13 November 2026, closing at 5:00 pm Japan time on 13 November 2026. There is no separate application fee mentioned in the official guidelines.

Application guidelines for October 2027 enrollment are expected around January 2027, with the application period likely around April 2027 — so if you miss this window, the next one is months away.

Frequently asked questions

Who funds the AFLSP?

The program was established by the Bai Xian Asia Institute (BXAI), which provides financial support, operates the summer program and facilitates networking. Kyoto University provides the education, resources and staff.

What does the scholarship pay?

Approximately JPY 150,000–250,000 per month in living support in total, plus the admission fee and tuition fee, for up to two years. The amount varies with the exchange rate.

Which nationalities can apply?

Citizens of the 24 countries and regions listed above. Check the official guidelines for the full eligibility rules, including the designated-institution and entrance-examination route.

How do I submit my application?

By email only: all documents as PDFs in a single ZIP folder sent to AFLSP@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp within the application period.

Is there an October 2027 intake?

Yes — guidelines for October 2027 enrollment are expected around January 2027, with applications likely around April 2027.