For Students
Japan Scholarships and Funding
UW Japan Scholarships and Fellowships
Application window for 2024 – 25 academic year is now closed. Application window for 2025 – 26 is scheduled to open February, 2025.
The application process for all UW Japan Scholarships and Fellowships starts here. Press the ‘SUBMIT’ button upon completion.
Scholarships for Japan studies are available to JSIS and other UW students (unless otherwise noted) including international students. See the following descriptions for details. Also see the JSIS Funding Resources for full list of resources for undergraduate and graduate students across the UW, with some also open to UW Bothell and Tacoma students.
Ayako Betty Murakami Scholarship in Japan Studies
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled in the following academic year. Selection is based on academic merit, especially in coursework focused on Japan and its language, and on financial need. Undergraduate majors in Asian Studies (Japan Option) and in Japanese Language and Literature, or pre-majors planning on either major, and graduate students in Japan Studies (JSIS) and Japanese Language and Literature (Asian L&L) are eligible. Recipient must be a UW enrolled sophomore level or higher student during the following academic year. One or two scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 – $1,500, will be awarded annually.
Learn more about Ayako Betty Murakami here.
Kasai-Buerge Scholarship in Japan Studies
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled in the following academic year. Selection is based on academic merit, especially in course work focused on the study of Japan and its language, and on financial need. Students in a Japan-focused degree program or studying Japan-related topics at the University of Washington are eligible to apply. One or two scholarships, in the amount of $1,500 – $2,000, will be awarded annually.
Learn more about Yuko Kasai and David Buerge.
Kristen Kawakami Dean Fellowship in Japan Studies (JSIS only)
This scholarship is open only to graduate students studying Japan in the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies who will be enrolled in the following academic year. This includes international students. Selection is based on academic merit and on financial need. One or two scholarships, in the amount of $1,500 – $2,000, will be awarded annually.
Learn more about Kristen Kawakami Dean.
Other Funding
UW Japan Graduate Student Travel/Research Grant
Need funding? Grants are available for graduate student travel and/or research. Download the Graduate Student Travel & Research Grant guidelines and application document for information regarding eligibility, application process, and deadlines.
For students applying for funding to do on-site research, in addition to the standard application to request funding, please also complete the On-Site Research Application.
MEXT Japanese Government Scholarships
The Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle typically announces the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship Application window in Spring. Graduate research, undergraduate study, and specialized training scholarships are available (U.S. citizens only) and benefits include a monthly stipend, travel to/from Japan, and exemption of school fees for entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition.
Qualified candidates will be contacted and asked to visit the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle (701 Pike St. #1000, Seattle, WA) for an examination and interview in late August/early September (exact date TBA). Check out the consulate web pages for use links for more information about these scholarships and study in Japan.
UW Japan Studies Program Student Event Proposal
The UW Japan Studies Program is now accepting proposals to fund (totally or partially) student-led events. Student-led events may be small or larger such as a workshop, symposium, film or film series, individual speaker or presentation, or conference at the UW. Students may request funding for items such as film fees, travel and accommodations for speakers or participants coming from out of town, food, catering, printing, and materials, etc. Funds may be used for guest speaker honoraria, but not salaries. Funds may not be used for alcohol. These funds are not available as outright grants but rather as reimbursement of expenses incurred or as charges made through a University of Washington budget. Project budgets are requested in advance in order to judge the amount of each allocation.
Students are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be reviewed by the faculty Events Committee and applicants will be notified no later than 3 weeks after deadline of funding. Eligible students may be undergraduate or graduate, and must be pursuing a degree related to Japan / Japanese. Students are required to include a faculty advisor for the project, but expected to be the primary lead on coordinating the event. Please direct questions to Ellen Eskenazi at JAPAN@UW.EDU.
Click here to download a Word document with instructions on required documentation. Proposals may be submitted by email to JAPAN@UW.EDU.
UW Graduate School funding resources
How do you pay for school!? Check here to find info on Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, and MORE!
Other Scholarship Sources
Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation: Scholarship for Ph.D. candidates for study or research in universities in Japan’s Kanto area.
Blakemore Foundation: Dedicated to advanced Asian language study abroad.
Bridging Japan Scholarship: $2,500 scholarships for semester-long programs, $4,000 for academic year programs to U.S. citizen undergraduate students for study in Japan.
Columbia Research and Travel Fellowships: An interactive table to search for graduate student opportunities, many of which are not restricted to Columbia students.
Cross Cultural Institute Graduate Fellowships Program: One-year study in Japan.
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS): Graduate and undergraduate studies.
Freeman-ASIA Scholarship: The Freeman-Asia Scholarship is designed to support American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. Awards of up to $3,000 are available for summer, $5,000 for semester-long programs and $7,000 for year-long programs.
Fulbright-IIE: A variety of grant opportunities for study, teaching, business, work, and travel.
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program: Grants for graduate students to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies.
International Research Center for Japanese Studies: Occasionally has applications for visiting research scholars.
Japan Foundation: Support of Japanese studies and Japanese-language instruction, exchanges in the arts, and assistance for media-related projects such as publications, translation, and film or video production.
Japanese Government Scholarships: Undergraduate study or graduate research in Japan. Students should contact the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle to learn more.
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO): For undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Japanese universities as participants of a UW Exchange. Students are nominated and selected for the scholarship by the partner institution in Japan.
Kobe College Corporation Japan Education Exchange Graduate Fellowships Program: Supports qualified PhD graduate students for research or study in Japan.
Mellon Dissertation Fellowships (AAR): Support for dissertation research in humanities using sources in the original language.
National Science Foundation Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE): Provides multiple international funding opportunities for students at all levels.
UW Study Abroad Scholarships: An extensive list of scholarship funding available specifically for study abroad.
JSIS Resources
JSIS Funding Resources: JSIS school-wide funding resources for undergraduate and graduate students.
JSIS Career Services and Internships: Unpaid or under-paid international-focused internships.