StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) funds foreign students pursuing a Master's or doctoral degree at a Japanese graduate school. Around 10 students from all countries are selected each year. You apply directly to the foundation — no university nomination is needed. The award is a monthly allowance you do not repay.
Eligibility
- Not a Japanese citizen; any nationality and any research field may apply.
- Enrolled in, or applying to, a Master's or doctoral programme at a Japanese graduate school (admission or acceptance letter needed).
- Start the Master's course by age 30, or the PhD course by age 35 — the foundation states no exceptions.
- More than 12 months remaining until graduation.
- Basic conversational Japanese — the interview is conducted in Japanese.
- Strong commitment to serving your home country in your future career.
- Professional graduate school students are generally ineligible unless submitting a research plan.
Benefits
- ¥230,000/month for 1–2 year degrees.
- ¥210,000/month for 3-year degrees.
- ¥180,000/month for 4–5 year degrees.
- Paid for the minimum period required to complete the degree.
- Possible financial assistance for international conference attendance under the foundation's rules.
Documents required
- Academic transcripts (undergraduate + graduate if applicable; in Japanese or English)
- Research proposal on the official template, written in Japanese
- Recommendation letter from current/previous academic supervisor
- Proof of admission / certificate of enrollment
How to apply
- Prepare documentsTranscripts, the Japanese research proposal template, recommendation letter and admission proof.
- Submit onlineComplete the application form on the HISF website — no physical documents need mailing.
- Deadline: 31 Oct 2026Document screening results 31 Jan 2027; interviews 9 Feb 2027; final results 31 Mar 2027.
FAQs
No — the scholarship is a monthly living allowance; tuition and airfare are not covered.
Yes — basic conversational ability; the interview is in Japanese and the research proposal is written in Japanese.
About 10 students from all countries each year.
No — you apply directly to the foundation.
Verified 16 Oct 2026 via greatpaktimes.com.pk, propakistani.pk, techstour.com, opforall.com and bloompakistan.com (deadline 31 Oct 2026; ¥180,000–230,000/month; ~10 awards; tuition/airfare not covered).
