Planning to pursue a Master’s or PhD in Japan in 2027? The Honjo International Scholarship is a funding opportunity for international students studying or planning to study at a Japanese graduate school.
The scholarship is offered by the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation and is open to non-Japanese students from all nationalities and research fields. Students can apply directly to the Foundation without university pre-selection. Around 10 scholarships are expected to be available for this cycle.
Read More: Study in Japan for Free: MEXT Scholarship 2027
What Is the Honjo International Scholarship 2027?
The scholarship supports international students pursuing a Master’s or PhD at a graduate school in Japan.
For the current cycle, scholarship payments begin from April 2027. The scholarship is non-repayable and is provided for the shortest period required to complete the degree.
Honjo International Scholarship 2027 Benefits
The monthly scholarship amount depends on the length of your degree:
- 1–2 years: ¥230,000 per month
- 3 years: ¥210,000 per month
- 4–5 years: ¥180,000 per month
Recipients may also receive a travel grant for attending an international conference, subject to the Foundation’s rules.
The scholarship is mainly a monthly stipend. Students should plan separately for other study-related expenses.
Who Can Apply?
To apply for the Honjo International Scholarship 2027, you must meet all the official eligibility conditions.
Key requirements include:
- You must not hold Japanese citizenship
- You must be studying or applying to a graduate school in Japan
- Your programme must have more than 12 months remaining until graduation
- Master’s applicants must start their programme by age 30
- PhD applicants must start their programme by age 35
- You must have a strong commitment to contributing to your home country in your future career
- You must be able to have a basic conversation in Japanese
The interview is conducted in Japanese with no exceptions, making basic Japanese communication an important requirement.
Students entering graduate school in Fall 2027 can also apply in this cycle, although scholarship payments for this call begin from April 2027.
Documents Required for the Honjo Scholarship
Applications are submitted through the Foundation’s online system. Important documents include:
- Undergraduate academic transcripts
- Graduate transcripts, if available
- Research proposal using the official template
- Recommendation letter from an academic supervisor
- Admission or acceptance document
- Certificate of enrolment if already studying in Japan
- Recent photograph
- 2-minute video explaining your research plan
The research proposal should be written in Japanese. Students who are not confident in Japanese may submit an English version in addition to the Japanese proposal.
Honjo International Scholarship 2027 Deadline
The official application period is:
September 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026
Applications opened at 11:00 AM on September 1, 2026 through the online application system.
The selection timeline is:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Document Screening Result | January 31, 2027 |
| Interview | February 2027 |
| Final Result | March 31, 2027 |
Interviews are planned in Tokyo, with video interviews available where applicable.
Can You Hold Another Scholarship?
Generally, recipients cannot receive another scholarship at the same time. However, the official guidelines list some exceptions, including MEXT, JSPS, JICA and certain other Japanese government-related programmes.
Final Thoughts
The Honjo International Scholarship 2027 can provide significant monthly financial support for international Master’s and PhD students in Japan.
With up to ¥230,000 per month, it is worth exploring if Japan is part of your postgraduate study plan. However, pay close attention to the Japanese-language requirement, research proposal, age limits, and October 31, 2026 deadline.
Before applying, read the official 2027 scholarship information and application guidelines carefully, as the Foundation’s requirements should be your final reference.
