The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarship 2027 is available for international students who plan to study for a Master’s or PhD at a graduate school in Japan.
The scholarship is open to students from all nationalities and academic fields. Successful applicants can receive between ¥180,000 and ¥230,000 per month, depending on the standard duration of their degree.
For the 2027 intake, approximately 10 students will be selected. The application period runs from September 1 to October 31, 2026.
Honjo Scholarship 2027 – Quick Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarship |
| Country | Japan |
| Degree | Master’s and PhD |
| Fields | All fields |
| Eligible applicants | International students |
| Number of scholarships | Approximately 10 |
| Monthly support | ¥180,000–¥230,000 |
| Application opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Study begins | April 2027 |
| Application | Online |
| Selection | Document screening and interview |
Scholarship Benefits
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation provides a monthly allowance based on the standard length of the graduate programme:
- ¥230,000 per month for programmes requiring 1–2 years
- ¥210,000 per month for programmes requiring 3 years
- ¥180,000 per month for programmes requiring 4–5 years
The scholarship is provided for the minimum period required to complete the degree.
Recipients may also receive support for travel expenses related to international conferences, subject to the foundation’s rules.
The scholarship does not officially guarantee full tuition coverage or international airfare. Students should therefore check how they will finance tuition and other expenses at their chosen university.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is intended for international students who are studying or planning to study at a graduate school in Japan.
Applicants must meet the following main conditions:
- Be a citizen of a country other than Japan.
- Be enrolled in or applying to a graduate programme in Japan.
- Have more than 12 months remaining in their programme when the scholarship begins.
- Be 30 or younger when starting a Master’s programme.
- Be 35 or younger when starting a PhD programme.
- Have a clear intention to contribute to their home country after their studies.
- Have an interest in international friendship and goodwill.
- Be willing to participate in foundation activities and maintain contact with the foundation after graduation.
- Have basic Japanese conversational ability.
Applicants from all academic fields and nationalities are eligible, provided they meet the requirements.
Eligible Degree Programs
The scholarship supports:
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral/PhD degrees
Applicants must be studying or planning to study at a graduate school in Japan.
Students applying to professional graduate schools may also be eligible if they can submit a research plan, according to the foundation’s guidelines.
Japanese Language Requirement
Japanese language ability is an important requirement of the Honjo scholarship.
Applicants must be able to hold a basic conversation in Japanese. The scholarship interview is conducted in Japanese.
The research proposal must also be prepared in Japanese using the foundation’s designated format. Applicants who are not confident in Japanese may submit an English version in addition to the Japanese version.
The required research video can be presented in either Japanese or English.
The scholarship does not specify IELTS or TOEFL as a separate language requirement. However, your chosen Japanese university may have its own English or Japanese language requirements.
Can Students Apply From Outside Japan?
Yes. International students can apply from outside Japan.
Applicants planning to begin graduate school in 2027 can apply even if they have not yet started their studies in Japan. The foundation allows applicants who do not yet have an admission document to submit it later, according to the conditions in the application guidelines.
Applicants should therefore work on their Japanese university admission and scholarship application at the same time.
Check https://scholarshipsfind.com/university-of-melbourne-human-rights-scholarship-2027-fully-funded/
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the following materials:
- Recent photograph
- Undergraduate academic transcript
- Graduate academic transcript, if applicable
- Research proposal using the official template
- Recommendation letter from a supervisor
- Admission or acceptance document, when available
- Two-minute research-plan video
- Optional 30-second self-promotion video
The research-plan video is mandatory, while the self-promotion video is optional.
Research Proposal
The research proposal should clearly explain:
- What you plan to research
- Your research schedule
- Your main research goal
- How your research can contribute to your home country
- Your previous academic, research, and social achievements
Applicants should develop a specific and realistic research plan rather than submitting a general statement about wanting to study in Japan.
Recommendation Letter
A recommendation letter is required from a supervisor or another eligible academic who knows the applicant’s academic background.
The letter should discuss the applicant’s academic performance, personal qualities, potential, and other relevant strengths.
Research Video
One distinctive part of the application is the two-minute research video.
Applicants must briefly explain their research plan and show their face in the video. The video can be recorded in Japanese or English.
The foundation also allows an optional 30-second self-promotion video, which can be used to introduce yourself beyond the research proposal.
Application Deadline
The application period for the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarship 2027 is:
September 1 – October 31, 2026
The application system closes on October 31, 2026.
Applicants should submit their application and required materials before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
Selection Process
The selection process has two main stages:
Stage 1 – Document Screening
The foundation reviews applicants’ academic background, research plans, achievements, and other application materials.
Stage 2 – Interview
Applicants who pass the first stage are invited to an interview. The interview is conducted in Japanese.
For the 2027 intake, the published schedule is:
- Document screening results: January 31, 2027
- Interview: February 9, 2027
- Final results: March 31, 2027
- Scholarship begins: April 2027
How to Apply
The application is submitted online through the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation.
Step 1: Find a suitable Master’s or PhD programme in Japan.
Step 2: Check that you meet the Honjo scholarship requirements.
Step 3: Prepare your research proposal and academic documents.
Step 4: Obtain the required recommendation letter.
Step 5: Record your two-minute research video.
Step 6: Complete and submit the online scholarship application before October 31, 2026.
Applicants should keep their application number and submitted application PDF after completing the process.
Check https://scholarshipsfind.com/lester-b-pearson-international-scholarship-2027/
Important Notes
Before applying, keep these points in mind:
- Approximately 10 scholarships are available.
- All nationalities and academic fields are eligible.
- The scholarship is for Master’s and PhD students.
- Monthly support ranges from ¥180,000 to ¥230,000.
- The scholarship does not guarantee full tuition or airfare.
- Basic Japanese conversation ability is required.
- The interview is conducted in Japanese.
- IELTS or TOEFL is not listed as a separate Honjo scholarship requirement.
- A two-minute research video is mandatory.
- Applicants must meet the age limits of 30 for Master’s and 35 for PhD programmes.
- The deadline is October 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Honjo Scholarship pay?
Successful applicants receive ¥180,000–¥230,000 per month, depending on the standard duration of their degree.
How many scholarships are available?
Approximately 10 students will be selected for the 2027 intake.
Can international students apply?
Yes. The scholarship is specifically available to international students, and all nationalities can apply.
Can I apply for a Master’s degree?
Yes. The scholarship supports both Master’s and PhD programmes.
Do I need Japanese language skills?
Yes. Applicants must have basic Japanese conversational ability, and the scholarship interview is conducted in Japanese.
Is IELTS required?
The Honjo scholarship does not list IELTS or TOEFL as a specific requirement. However, your chosen Japanese university may have its own language requirements.
Can I apply from outside Japan?
Yes. International students can apply from outside Japan while preparing for graduate study in Japan.
What is the deadline?
The application deadline is October 31, 2026.
Official Website and Application
For the latest eligibility requirements, application instructions, templates, and updates, applicants should use the official Honjo International Scholarship Foundation website.
Honjo International Scholarship Foundation – Scholarship for Foreign Students
Official Online Application System
Final Thoughts
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarship 2027 offers international students an opportunity to pursue graduate study in Japan with monthly financial support of up to ¥230,000.
The most important points to prepare for are the Japanese-language interview, research proposal, recommendation letter, and two-minute research video. Applicants should also remember that the scholarship does not officially promise full tuition or airfare coverage.
If you are planning to start a Master’s or PhD in Japan in 2027, make sure to prepare your university admission and scholarship application well before the October 31, 2026 deadline.
