Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) Scholarship 2026 for Foreign Students , Japan
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) Scholarship for Foreign Students is a prestigious, highly competitive funding opportunity for international students pursuing Master’s or Doctoral degrees in Japan. This scholarship is designed to support outstanding foreign students conducting advanced research at Japanese graduate schools, regardless of nationality or field of study.
Unlike many Japanese scholarships, applicants can apply directly to the foundation without university nomination, making it one of the most accessible and generous scholarships for studying in Japan.
Degree Level
Master’s Degree
Doctoral (PhD) Degree
Available Subjects
All academic and research fields
Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Health Sciences, and more
There are no subject restrictions, allowing applicants from any discipline to apply.
Benefits
The HISF Scholarship provides monthly financial support for the full minimum duration of the degree program:
¥230,000 per month for programs lasting 1–2 years
¥210,000 per month for 3-year programs
¥180,000 per month for programs longer than 3 years
This generous stipend is intended to fully support living and research expenses in Japan.
Scholarship Duration
Covers the minimum standard period required to complete the degree
Funding continues monthly as long as academic progress is maintained
Number of Scholarships
Approximately 10 scholarships awarded each year
Eligible Nationalities
Open to students of all nationalities
Applicants may apply from outside Japan if they have been accepted into a Japanese graduate school
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following general requirements:
Must be a foreign (non-Japanese) student
Enrolled or accepted into a Japanese graduate school (Master’s or PhD)
Demonstrate strong academic ability and research potential
Willing to participate in interviews if shortlisted
Able to submit a research plan and a 2-minute research introduction video
Important Scholarship Restriction
Recipients cannot receive other scholarships concurrently, except for the following approved programs:
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship
JSPS International Fellowship
JST Fellowship (only if approved for concurrent funding)
Application Procedure
The application process is fully online and managed directly by the Honjo International Scholarship Foundation:
Confirm eligibility requirements
Access the online application system
Complete the application form
Upload required documents, including:
Academic records
Research plan
Recommendation materials
2-minute video explaining your research
Submit the application and save the generated PDF and application number
Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews (in Tokyo or via video call)
Final results are announced on the official foundation website
Application Timeline
Applications typically open in early September
Application deadline usually falls in late October
Document screening results announced in January
Interviews conducted in February
Final results released by the end of March
Exact dates are announced each year in the official application guidelines.
Required Documents
Completed online application form
Academic transcripts
Research plan (foundation template)
Short research introduction video (2 minutes)
Additional documents specified in the annual guidelines
Why Choose the HISF Scholarship?
High monthly stipend compared to other Japan scholarships
Open to all nationalities and all research fields
No university pre-selection required
Apply from outside Japan
Supports both Master’s and PhD students
Final Thoughts
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation Scholarship for Foreign Students is one of the most generous and flexible funding opportunities for international graduate students in Japan. With no nationality or field restrictions and a high monthly stipend, it is an excellent option for students aiming to conduct advanced research in Japanese universities.
