Studying in Japan sounds expensive until you find a scholarship that pays you a monthly stipend for the whole length of your degree. The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation does exactly that, and it does not ask for tuition in return for the award. This guide walks you through everything you need: who qualifies, how much you get, the deadline, and the exact steps to apply.
What the Honjo Scholarship Actually Is
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) is a private Japanese foundation that supports international students studying for a master’s or PhD degree at a graduate school in Japan. You do not need to be enrolled yet. You can apply if you are already attending a Japanese graduate school, or if you plan to start in the coming academic year. The foundation accepts applicants from every nationality and every field of study, so whether you are in engineering, literature, medicine, or economics, you have a shot.
One thing to understand early: this is a monthly living stipend, not a scholarship that pays your tuition directly. Some other scholarships bundle tuition waivers, flights, and insurance together. Honjo focuses on giving you steady monthly cash so you can cover rent, food, and daily costs while you study.
How Much Money Do You Get?
The foundation pays different monthly amounts depending on how long your degree takes to finish. Here is the breakdown, straight from the official 2027 guidelines:
| Degree Length | Monthly Stipend (JPY) | Approximate Monthly Value (USD)* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 years | ¥230,000 | Around $1,500 |
| Up to 3 years | ¥210,000 | Around $1,370 |
| More than 3 years | ¥180,000 | Around $1,170 |
*USD figures are rough estimates based on typical exchange rates and will shift with the market. Always check a live converter before you budget.
This stipend runs for the minimum number of years your degree is expected to take, not longer. A two-year master’s gets the higher rate for both years. A doctoral student whose programme runs past three years moves to the lower tier for the extra time. The foundation also selects around 10 scholars each cycle, so you are competing for a small, tightly chosen group.
Weighing this stipend against the overall cost of studying abroad? You may also want to check this guide to finding affordable universities abroad to see how Japan compares.
Who Can Apply
You need to meet these conditions to be considered:
- You must be a non-Japanese national.
- You must be currently enrolled in a graduate school in Japan, or you must plan to enrol for the 2027 academic year.
- You can apply from outside Japan. You do not have to be physically present in the country when you submit your application.
- There is no restriction on your field of study.
- You must submit your documents in either Japanese or English.
- You need basic conversational Japanese for the interview stage, based on past guidance from the foundation, so start brushing up now if your Japanese is rusty.
Always double-check the latest eligibility rules in the official 2027 guidelines, since foundations sometimes adjust age limits or degree-start requirements from one year to the next. If you already have an offer in hand, it’s also worth knowing what to do after receiving a university admission offer before you submit your Honjo application.
Key Dates for the 2027 Cycle
Timing matters a lot with this scholarship, because the window is short and specific. Here is the full schedule the foundation has published for applicants whose funding would start in April 2027:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Guidelines published | August 1, 2026 |
| Application period opens | September 1, 2026, 11:00 a.m. |
| Application deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Document screening results announced | January 31, 2027 |
| Interview stage | February 8, 2027 (Tokyo or online) |
| Final results announced | March 31, 2027 |
The interview happens in Tokyo, but if you cannot travel there, the foundation offers an online option. Keep in mind that the entire process, from application to final decision, takes about seven months. Plan your other scholarship and university applications around this timeline so nothing clashes.
How Selection Works
The foundation runs a two-stage process: document screening, followed by an interview for shortlisted candidates. Your application needs a strong research plan, since the online system requires a two-minute video where you personally explain your research proposal. This is not a box to tick quickly. Treat it like a short, focused pitch about why your research matters and why you are the right person to carry it out.
Not sure how to frame your research plan for the video? You may also want to check this guide on what a statement of purpose is and how to write one.
Here is what the application process looks like step by step:
- Check your eligibility against the official 2027 guidelines before you start anything else.
- Register on the HISF online application system at entry.hisf.or.jp.
- Fill in your personal and academic details, then upload the required documents.
- Record your two-minute research plan video. This is a required part of the application, not optional.
- Submit before the deadline. Once you finish, the system generates an application number and an auto-created application file. Save this file; you will need your number to check results later.
- Wait for the document screening result, posted on the foundation’s website using your application number rather than your name.
- Attend the interview if you are shortlisted, either in Tokyo or online.
- Check the final results at the end of March.
Want to walk into that interview stage prepared? You may also want to check this guide on how to prepare for a scholarship interview.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
A few things make Honjo worth your attention if you are weighing it against other Japan-focused scholarships, or against globally funded routes such as the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, the Chevening Scholarship, the Monash University PhD Scholarship, and the Imperial College London Scholarships:
- You can apply from anywhere. You do not need to already be in Japan or have a guaranteed spot at a university before you submit.
- The stipend is generous for a private foundation. ¥230,000 a month is close to what many full-time entry-level workers earn in parts of Japan, and it goes a long way in cities outside Tokyo.
- Every field of study qualifies. You are not boxed into STEM or into the humanities. The foundation funds across the board — though if physics or engineering research specifically is your focus, the CERN internships and graduate programmes are also worth comparing.
- The selection pool is small, which cuts both ways. Around 10 scholarships means real competition, but it also means the foundation reviews every application carefully rather than relying on an automated cutoff.
Also comparing other fully funded master’s and PhD routes? You may also want to check the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28.
Documents and Preparation Tips
Start collecting your paperwork early, since graduate schools and former professors often take weeks to issue transcripts and recommendation letters. Based on what similar scholarship programmes typically require, prepare to have ready:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- A clear, well-structured research plan, following the foundation’s own template (if you’re unsure how this differs from a personal statement, see this breakdown of a statement of purpose vs personal statement)
- Any English or Japanese language proficiency documentation you hold
- Contact details for people who can write you a strong recommendation
Because the research plan carries real weight in this application, give yourself enough time to revise it more than once. A research plan that reads like a rushed summary will not stand out next to one that shows a clear question, a method, and a realistic timeline.
Need people to vouch for you on short notice? You may also want to check this guide on how to ask for a scholarship recommendation letter.
Where to Apply and Learn More
🔗 Official Foreign Student Scholarship Page: View the official Honjo scholarship page for foreign students
🔗 Online Application System: Register and apply through entry.hisf.or.jp
🔗 English-Language Foundation Page: Visit the official Honjo Foundation English site
Always apply and verify dates through these official pages. Stipend amounts, deadlines, and eligibility details can shift slightly from one cycle to the next, and the foundation’s own site is the final word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Honjo Scholarship cover my tuition fees?
No. The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation provides a monthly living stipend only. You need to arrange tuition payment through your university, a separate scholarship, or your own funding. Budget for tuition and the stipend separately when planning your finances.
Can I apply if I have not started my Japanese graduate programme yet?
Yes. You can apply if you are currently enrolled in a Japanese graduate school or if you plan to start your programme in the 2027 academic year. You do not need a confirmed university place before you submit your Honjo application.
Is this scholarship open to every nationality?
Yes. The foundation accepts applications from non-Japanese nationals of any country and any field of study. There is no regional restriction, so students from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe can all apply on equal footing.
What happens after I submit my application?
Your documents go through a screening stage first, with results announced on January 31, 2027. If shortlisted, you attend an interview on February 8, 2027, either in Tokyo or online. The foundation announces final results on March 31, 2027.