Study Abroad Scholarship · Masters, PhD

Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarships

Honjo International Scholarship Foundation · All India

Annual Award₹15.2 Lakh+
Deadline31 Oct
Scheme NameHonjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarships
Provided ByHonjo International Scholarship Foundation
Eligibility SummaryMasters, PhD · No income limit

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About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

₹15.2 Lakh+

The scholarship provides a monthly stipend that varies based on the duration of the degree program. For 1 or 2-year programs, recipients receive ¥230,000 per month. For 3-year programs, it is ¥210,000 per month, and for 4 or 5-year programs, it is ¥180,000 per month. There is no repayment obligation. This generous stipend is intended to cover living costs and tuition. Additional travel grants may be provided for attending international academic conferences. The estimated annual amounts in INR are calculated using an approximate conversion rate of 1 JPY = 0.599 INR.

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    Nationality:Must hold non-Japanese nationality.

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    Enrollment:Must be accepted into, or planning to enroll in, a Japanese graduate school (Master's or Doctoral degree). The academic course should start in April 2026 or September/October 2026 term.

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    Program Duration:Enrollment duration until graduation must be longer than 12 months.

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    Age Limit:For Master's program applicants, must start the course by age 30. For PhD program applicants, must start the course by age 35.

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    Commitment:Strong intention to contribute to their home country after graduation is required.

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    International Understanding:Must have a deep understanding of international friendship and goodwill, and be willing to participate in foundation events and alumni networks.

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    Japanese Language:Ability to hold everyday conversations in Japanese is necessary, as interviews will be conducted in Japanese without exception.

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    Professional Graduate Schools:Generally not eligible, but those who can present a research plan may apply.

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    Employment:Cannot gain employment other than part-time jobs related to studies (e.g., teaching assistant, research assistant) or international exchange affairs (e.g., translator, interpreter) while receiving the scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education LevelMasters, PhD
Course / StreamMasters, PhD
Income LimitNo income bar
Category / CasteGeneral, OBC, SC, ST
Domicile StateAll India

Mandatory Documents Checklist

  • ✓Face photo
  • ✓Two-minute video discussing your research plan
  • ✓Academic transcript of undergraduate course (required, in Japanese or English, with translations for other languages)
  • ✓Academic transcript of graduate school (optional, if applicable, in Japanese or English, with translations for other languages)
  • ✓Research Proposal (must include planned research topic, how studies will contribute to home country's development, and achievements in research, academics, and social activities. Can submit in English in addition to Japanese if not confident in Japanese.)
  • ✓Recommendation letter from a supervisor (current or previous supervisor familiar with academic background. Recommender can send directly to foundation's email: info@hisf.or.jp, including applicant's name and application number in the subject.)
  • ✓Admission letter or letter of acceptance from a Japanese graduate school (if unavailable by the deadline, probable date can be entered in the online system, and the letter sent via email once available)

Selection Process

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    Candidates are selected through a rigorous process that includes document screening followed by an individual interview

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    Key selection criteria include strong academic merit and potential, a deep understanding of international friendship and goodwill, and a commitment to contributing to their home country after graduation

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    Applicants must be non-Japanese citizens and be enrolled in or admitted to a Master's or Doctoral program at a Japanese university

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    Age limits apply:Master's applicants must start their course by age 30, and PhD applicants by age 35

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    A basic conversational ability in Japanese is essential, as interviews are conducted exclusively in Japanese

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    Applicants are also required to submit a detailed research plan and a 2-minute research presentation video.

Renewal Policy

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    The scholarship is awarded for the shortest period required to complete the intended degree, typically ranging from 1 to 5 years

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    There is no annual renewal process as the funding covers the full minimum degree duration

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    However, scholarship payments may be stopped if certain conditions are not met, such as inability to continue studies due to illness, academic failure, discovery of false statements in the application, or any behavior bringing disrepute to the Foundation.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

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    Review Guidelines and Deadlines

    Carefully check the current application guidelines and deadlines on the official Honjo International Scholarship Foundation website. The application period typically runs from September 1st to October 31st for the academic year commencing in April of the following year (e.g., Sep-Oct 2026 for April 2027 enrollment).

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    Prepare Documents

    Gather all required documents, which typically include academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable), a detailed research plan, a recommendation letter from a supervisor, and a 2-minute research presentation video (in Japanese or English). Ensure all documents meet the specified format and size requirements.

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    Online Application

    Submit your application directly through the Foundation's online portal during the application period. You do not need a university nomination to apply.

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    Document Screening

    The first selection involves a thorough review of submitted documents. Results are usually announced by late January or early February on the Foundation's website.

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    Interview

    Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an individual interview in early February. These interviews are conducted either in Tokyo or via video call and are strictly in Japanese.

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    Final Result

    The final results of the scholarship award are typically announced by the end of March.

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    Acceptance

    If selected, confirm compatibility with any other potential funding before officially accepting the Honjo Scholarship.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Is this scholarship specifically for studying in India?

No, the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarships are for international graduate students (including Indian citizens) who wish to pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees at universities in Japan.

Do I need to be proficient in Japanese to apply for this scholarship?

Yes, a basic conversational understanding of Japanese is required. The selection process includes an interview that is conducted exclusively in Japanese, with no exceptions.

Can I hold other scholarships if I receive the Honjo International Scholarship?

Generally, scholarship recipients are not permitted to receive another scholarship of comparable size concurrently. However, specific exceptions are made for certain Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships, Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarships for Privately Financed International Students, and JSPS International Fellowships.

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Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Honjo International Scholarship Foundation website before final submission.