Applications are now open for the Honjo International Scholarship 2027, offering international students financial support to pursue master’s and PhD degrees at graduate schools in Japan.
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation offers the programme to international students of all nationalities and academic fields. Successful scholars can receive up to ¥230,000 per month, depending on the duration of their degree programme.
Students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply. Importantly, applicants do not necessarily need to already live or study in Japan. Students planning to enter an eligible Japanese graduate school in Spring or Fall 2027 may also apply.
Applications for the 2027 scholarship opened on September 1, 2026, and close on October 31, 2026.
Honjo International Scholarship 2027 Overview
Here are the key details:
- Host Country: Japan
- Scholarship Provider: Honjo International Scholarship Foundation
- Study Levels: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible Nationalities: All non-Japanese nationalities
- Eligible Fields: All academic and research fields
- Eligible Institutions: Graduate schools in Japan
- Number of Scholarships: Approximately 10
- Maximum Stipend: ¥230,000 per month
- Application Opens: September 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
- Document Screening Results: January 31, 2027
- Interview: February 9, 2027
- Final Results: March 31, 2027
- Application Method: Direct online application
Applicants apply directly to the Foundation. University nomination or pre-selection is not required.
Honjo Scholarship Benefits and Monthly Stipend
The amount awarded under the Honjo International Scholarship 2027 depends on the minimum period required to complete the applicant’s degree.
Successful scholars receive:
- ¥230,000 per month for degree programmes lasting 1–2 years
- ¥210,000 per month for programmes lasting 3 years
- ¥180,000 per month for programmes lasting more than 3 years
The scholarship is normally provided throughout the minimum period required to complete the degree.
For example, a student receiving ¥230,000 monthly for two years could receive approximately ¥5.52 million over 24 months.
This makes the Honjo Scholarship a substantial source of financial support for international graduate students in Japan.
Is the Honjo International Scholarship Fully Funded?
Applicants should understand exactly what the scholarship covers.
Although some scholarship websites describe the Honjo International Scholarship as “fully funded”, the Foundation provides a fixed monthly scholarship payment instead of paying for each study-related expense separately.
In particular, the Foundation does not provide separate funding for tuition fees or airfare to Japan.
Therefore, applicants should consider their university tuition, initial travel expenses and other costs when preparing their study plans.
The monthly allowance of up to ¥230,000 is nevertheless substantial and can help scholars meet significant living and study expenses while completing their degrees in Japan.
Who Can Apply for the Honjo International Scholarship in 2027?
The scholarship is intended for international students studying or planning to study for a graduate degree in Japan.
Applicants must be non-Japanese citizens who are pursuing or planning to pursue either:
- A master’s degree, or
- A doctoral degree
The Foundation accepts applicants from all nationalities and research fields.
Candidates must also satisfy the detailed conditions contained in the 2027 application guidelines, including requirements concerning their graduate studies, degree completion schedule and future plans.
The programme particularly seeks students who have the potential to contribute to international society and who intend to maintain connections with the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation after completing their studies.
Can Cameroonians, Nigerians and Ghanaians Apply?
Yes.
The scholarship is open to non-Japanese citizens of all nationalities.
Therefore, eligible students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and other African countries can apply.
There is no separate African nationality restriction.
This makes the programme particularly useful for African students searching for master’s and PhD scholarships in Japan that are open to international students.
However, applicants must still satisfy all other scholarship requirements and secure or plan to secure admission to an eligible Japanese graduate school.
Eligible Master’s and PhD Programmes
One major advantage of the Honjo International Scholarship is its flexibility.
There is no fixed list of participating Japanese universities.
Applicants can choose a graduate school and course in Japan that aligns with their academic and professional objectives, provided they will pursue a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree.
Additionally, all research fields are welcome.
This means applicants can come from disciplines such as:
- Engineering
- Economics and Business
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Information Technology
- Agriculture
- Environmental Sciences
- Humanities
- Education
- Law
- Public Policy
The scholarship does not fund undergraduate study under this international graduate scholarship programme.
Can You Apply From Outside Japan?
Yes.
International applicants do not have to be physically present in Japan when submitting their scholarship application.
Students who plan to enter a Japanese graduate school in spring or fall 2027 may apply.
Moreover, applicants who have not yet taken their graduate school entrance examination can still submit a scholarship application.
If an admission result is not available before the scholarship deadline, the applicant can provide the expected date of the university’s admission decision and submit the acceptance documentation later when available.
This is particularly valuable for African and other international applicants who are still completing their Japanese university admission process.
Japanese Language Requirements
Applicants should pay close attention to the Foundation’s Japanese-language expectations.
The interview is conducted in Japanese.
However, the Foundation explains that the interview is not designed simply to test Japanese-language proficiency. Candidates should nevertheless be capable of explaining themselves and discussing their research in relatively simple Japanese.
There is another important requirement concerning the research plan.
The Foundation requires that applicants write the research plan in Japanese. Applicants who are not confident writing in Japanese may additionally upload an English version, but the Japanese research plan remains required.
Therefore, prospective applicants with no Japanese ability should consider this requirement carefully before applying.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the documents and information required by the Foundation’s online application system.
These generally include:
- Academic information and records
- Curriculum vitae or educational history
- Personal statement
- Research plan
- Recommendation letter
- Applicant photograph
- Graduate school admission information where available
- Supporting documents required by the online application
- Two-minute research presentation video
The recommendation letter can be written in Japanese or English.
If applicants upload the recommendation letter themselves, it must contain the recommender’s signature or official seal. A recommendation that lacks either may be ineligible for selection.
Applicants should carefully review the 2027 application guidelines before uploading their documents.
Two-Minute Research Video Requirement
One unusual but important requirement is the research video.
Applicants must upload a two-minute video explaining their research as part of the online application.
Candidates should therefore prepare a concise explanation of their proposed or current research rather than waiting until the final day of the application period.
The research video forms part of the documents submitted through the scholarship’s online application system.
How to Apply for the Honjo International Scholarship 2027
The application process is completed online.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Read the 2027 application guidelines carefully and ensure that you satisfy the requirements for international graduate students.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application Documents
Gather your academic records, research plan, recommendation letter, personal information and other required supporting documents.
You should also prepare the mandatory two-minute research video.
Step 3: Access the Online Application System
Create an account through the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation’s online application system during the application period.
Step 4: Complete the Application
Enter the required personal, academic and research information and upload all necessary documents and files.
Step 5: Submit the Application
After successful submission, the system issues an application number and generates a PDF copy of the completed application.
Applicants should save this PDF and keep their application number, as selection results are published using these application numbers.
Selection Process and Interview
The selection process consists of two major stages:
1. Document screening
First, the Foundation evaluates submitted applications.
Results of the document screening will be announced on:
January 31, 2027
Applicants progressing to the next stage will be identified through their application numbers.
2. Interview
The interview is scheduled for:
February 9, 2027
Interviews are planned in Tokyo. However, candidates unable to attend the interview location may be interviewed by video call.
Final scholarship results are expected to be announced on:
March 31, 2027
Remember that the interview is conducted in Japanese.
Honjo International Scholarship 2027 Deadline
Applications are accepted from:
September 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026
The online application system opened at 11:00 a.m. Japan time on September 1, 2026.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day because the application requires several documents as well as the research video.
Approximately 10 students are expected to receive scholarships under this call, making careful preparation particularly important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honjo International Scholarship 2027 open?
Yes. Applications opened on September 1, 2026, and close on October 31, 2026.
How much does the Honjo Scholarship provide?
Successful applicants receive between ¥180,000 and ¥230,000 per month, depending on the minimum duration of their degree programme.
Is the Honjo Scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship provides a substantial monthly allowance. However, the Foundation does not separately provide tuition-fee funding or airfare to Japan. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that every study expense is automatically covered.
Can Cameroonian students apply?
Yes. Cameroonian students can apply, as the programme accepts non-Japanese citizens of all nationalities.
Can Nigerians and Ghanaians apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can apply, alongside students from other African countries.
Can I apply if I am currently outside Japan?
Yes. Eligible students planning to study at a Japanese graduate school can submit their applications from abroad.
Do I need university admission before applying?
Not necessarily. Students planning to enter graduate school in Spring or Fall 2027 may apply even if their entrance examination or admission result is still pending.
Is the scholarship available for bachelor’s degrees?
No. This particular Honjo scholarship programme is for international students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in Japan.
Is Japanese required?
Applicants should have sufficient Japanese ability for important parts of the selection process. The research plan must be prepared in Japanese, and the scholarship interview is also conducted in Japanese.
Can I apply in any academic field?
Yes. The Foundation accepts applicants from all research fields.
Final Thoughts
The Honjo International Scholarship 2027 offers a valuable opportunity for international students seeking financial support for master’s or PhD study in Japan.
With monthly funding of up to ¥230,000, eligibility across all academic fields and nationalities, and the possibility of applying directly from outside Japan, the programme is accessible to a wide range of international graduate students.
Applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries are eligible to apply, provided they satisfy the programme’s requirements.
However, candidates should pay particular attention to the Japanese-language research plan and interview requirements. They should also be aware that the Foundation does not separately cover tuition and airfare.
Applications close on October 31, 2026, so prospective applicants should begin preparing their research plan, recommendation letter, academic documents and mandatory two-minute research video as early as possible.
Official Links
Honjo International Scholarship Foundation – Scholarship for Foreign Students:
https://www.hisf.or.jp/en/scholarship/foreigner/
Honjo International Scholarship Foundation – Frequently Asked Questions:
https://www.hisf.or.jp/en/scholarship/foreigner/faq-en/
