The Japan-China Sasakawa Medical Fellowship is the result of a tripartite agreement between the Chinese Ministry of Public Health, the Japan-China Medical Association, and the Japan China Medical Association. In recent years, roughly 30 Chinese medical health professionals are given an opportunity to come to Japan each year to attend Japanese medical universities to learn the latest medical technologies, or to conduct joint research with Japanese medical researchers. They are then required to return to China to put their new knowledge to use, thereby avoiding the “brain drain” that other countries have experienced as a result of similar scholarship programs.
Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (Sylff)
Established
1987
Coordinator
The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research
Length of program
Varies by university
Fund size
USD 1 million / university
Purpose
Sylff was established in the late 1980s, when issues involving political systems, religion, and ethnic identity were becoming increasingly complex, to cultivate human resources capable of transcending differences in culture, values, nationality and language, and advancing solutions to benefit all of humankind. Fellowships are provided to graduate students, mostly in the humanities and social sciences, at 69 universities and university consortia in 44 countries, including Japan. Selected for their potential as future leaders, the program’s more than 17,000 fellowship recipients (Sylff fellows) are active in a wide range of fields.
Gallaudet University Sasakawa International Scholarship
Established
1992
Coordinator
Gallaudet University
Length of program
1 year
Fund size
USD 2,000,000
Purpose
The Sasakawa International Scholarship is a partial-tuition program that The Nippon Foundation has established at Gallaudet University. This program is for deaf exchange students from developing countries who have met the entrance requirements of Gallaudet University but do not possess the financial means to attend.
National Technical Institute for the Deaf (Rochester Institute of Technology)
Length of program
1 year
Fund size
USD 2,000,000
Purpose
The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), administered by Rochester Institute of Technology, was the world’s first technical institute oriented toward deaf people. Today it continues to be a leader in the field. This scholarship program helps deaf people from developing countries who can demonstrate financial need take part in an exchange program at NTID. Following graduation, recipients are required to return to their home countries to aid in the support of deaf communities there.
Nippon Foundation Fund for Japanese Language Education Program (NF-JLEP)
Established
1994
Coordinator
The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research
Length of program
Varies by university
Fund size
USD 1.5 million / university
Purpose
NF-JLEP was established in 1994 through endowments of USD 1.5 million each to eight universities and university consortia in six countries as a global program to promote the study and teaching of the Japanese language outside Japan. NF-JLEP promotes Japanese language education in ways befitting the needs of each region by providing fellowships to students of Japanese, Japanese language teachers, and the development of teaching materials. To date, the program has supported more than 2,000 fellowship recipients (NF-JLEP fellows) around the world.
Gallaudet University World Deaf Leadership Scholarship
Established
1996
Coordinator
Gallaudet University
Length of program
Up to 5 years
Fund size
USD 3,000,000
Purpose
The World Deaf Leadership Scholarship is one of two scholarship programs that The Nippon Foundation has established at Gallaudet University. This program provides full tuition support for deaf exchange students from developing countries who have met the entrance requirements of Gallaudet University but do not possess the financial means to attend. Graduates who have received this scholarship are expected to return to their home countries to aid in the development of deaf communities there.
The number of post-secondary level exchange students who came to Japan in 2005 was more than 120,000. However, most of these students came from Asia. The number from Central and South America amounted to no more than 1 percent of the total. Although scholarship programs run by the national or local governments do exist, there is some question as to whether they truly meet the needs of those who want to study in Japan. This program, on the other hand, tailors specialized programs of study to fit with the future plans of the students. In addition, the program aims to create leaders for the next generation who can help in the development of their countries. Finally, it is hoped that this scholarship will form the basis for new bridges between Japan and Latin America.
Program to Train Leaders for Resolving Social Issues in Eurasia (FY2024)
Established
2004
Coordinator
JACAFA Foundation
Length of program
2 years
Fund size
USD 1,416 / recipient
Purpose
This program aims to train human resources who will work to address social issues in the Eurasian region (Central Asia and the Caucasus region). The scholarship provides educational opportunities to outstanding students to enable them to make leading contributions to the region. In addition, through support for small- and medium-sized projects carried out by alumni and current recipients, the program creates opportunities to address social issues in the region pragmatically and proactively.
The Nippon Foundation Fellows Program at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies
Established
2012
Coordinator
Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies (IUC)
Length of program
10 months
Fund size
Approx. JPY 86 million (20 recipients / year)
Purpose
IUC was established in 1963 by a consortium of 10 U.S. universities with established Japanese studies programs, led by Stanford University. In addition to contributing to the development of Japanese language education with original teaching methods and materials, IUC accepts students from around the world and its graduates include leading Japan researchers and specialists. The Nippon Foundation provides scholarships to up to 20 students per year, to maintain the quality of future leaders in the field of Japanese studies.
The Sasakawa Japanese Studies Postgraduate Studentship Programme
Established
2013
Coordinator
The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
Length of program
1 year
Fund size
Approx. GBP 150,000 (30 recipients / year)
Purpose
British universities have played an important role in cultivating Japan specialists in Great Britain and Europe. In recent years in particular, insufficient support for universities and students has meant that only a limited number of students are able to pursue graduate-level studies with a Japan specialization. This program provides scholarships to 30 students in Japanese studies programs at the master’s and doctoral level at British universities, with the aim of contributing to the vitalization of Japanese studies programs at universities in Great Britain and around the world.
Graduate-Level Scholarship Program to Train Leaders in Southeast Asia with Disabilities
Established
2016
Coordinator
University of Malaya
Length of program
1-2 years (depending on the number of years of the specific master’s degree program)
Fund size
Approx. USD 22,000 / recipient
Purpose
By improving access to master’s-level higher education for people in the ASEAN region with disabilities, this program is training the next generation of leaders for addressing disability-related issues through policy proposals and recommendations.
This program provides graduates of UWC ISAK Japan high school who wish to continue their studies in Japan with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience that will contribute to the economic development of their home country and the ability to act as bridges between their home country and Japan.
This program is scheduled to conclude with support for graduates of UWC ISAK Japan high school who will graduate from university in March 2026.
Funding for Contemporary Japanese Studies in the Nordic countries
Established
2018
Coordinator
Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation
Length of program
Lectureships: 5 years PhD candidates: 1 year
Fund size
EUR 845,800 (Actual amount in 2018)
Purpose
This program aims to promote the study of contemporary Japan in Nordic countries by providing support to local universities and PhD students. To advance the understanding of Japanese culture and society in the five Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland), which have the potential to collaborate in fields including science and technology, peace building and maritime affairs, we support the lectureship costs for contemporary Japanese studies courses in 9 universities in these countries, and we also cover the expenses of research activities conducted in Japan for a maximum of 10 PhD candidates on an annual basis. By offering incentives to those advancing their studies in relevant fields in Nordic countries, we aim to contribute to the vitalization of Japanese studies and to further enhance the field’s presence.
The Nippon Foundation Central Asia – Japan Human Resource Development Project
Established
2019
Coordinator
University of Tsukuba
Length of program
Master’s candidates: 18 months PhD candidates: 3 years
Fund size
Approx. JPY 2.65 million / recipient
Purpose
This program provides outstanding students from five Central Asian countries (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) and two Caucasus countries (Azerbaijan and Georgia) with the opportunity to pursue graduate-level studies in public policy and public health at the University of Tsukuba, with the aims of promoting regional development and the resolution of social issues in conformity with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and exchanges with Japan.
Recipients are expected to return to their home country and work for the government or international organizations to contribute to their own country’s development and deepen mutual understanding and personal exchanges between Japan and Central Asia, and to become bridges with Japan in the future.
These projects have come to a close and are listed on this page for reference only.
Peking University Graduate Program in International Relations
Established
1996
Coordinator
School of International Studies, Peking University
Length of program
3 to 4 years
Fund size
Approx. USD 600,000 / year
Purpose
This program for master’s and PhD candidates was an attempt to build a cadre of Chinese experts in international relations who had a focus or special interest in Japan. Students in the 3-year master’s program divided their time between Peking University and the University of Tokyo. The 4-year PhD course, on the other hand, was split between Peking University and Waseda University.
The API Fellowships Program (The Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals)
Established
2000
Coordinator
Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University
Length of program
1 month to 1 year
Fund size
Approx. USD 1.6 million / year
Purpose
The API Fellowships aimed to promote mutual learning among Asian public intellectuals and contribute to the growth of wider public spaces in which effective responses to regional needs can be generated. To this end, a maximum of six people were chosen annually from each of the five countries of Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. These fellows then conducted research projects in one of the other four countries, thereby contributing to both the advancement of mutual understanding and creation of networks of the region’s top thinkers – the kind of networks that are necessary to guide Asia into the future.
Ryoichi Sasakawa/Norman Borlaug Scholarship Program
Established
2002
Coordinator
Zamorano University
Length of program
4 years
Fund size
USD 7,020,500 (disbursed total, 158 recipients over 10 years)
Purpose
The Ryoichi Sasakawa/Norman Borlaug Scholarship Program provided scholarships to undergraduate students at Zamorano University in Honduras from 2002 to 2012, with the aim of nurturing future leaders in the field of agriculture in Latin America. A total of 158 students from 15 countries graduated with a bachelor’s degree over the decade. The graduates were slated to become leaders in the agricultural sector who would contribute to local development.
Scholarship Program for Central Asian University Students in Turkey
Established
2003
Coordinator
Japan Turkey Central Asia Friendship Association
Length of program
Up to 3 years
Fund size
Approx. USD 430,000 / year
Purpose
This program provided scholarships to students from Central Asia who were studying at universities in Istanbul and Ankara. The program supported over 100 of the best and brightest students who had potential to initiate positive change in their home countries after graduation. During their scholarship term, the students also participated in cultural seminars to learn and become familiar with Japanese culture as well as the Japanese language.
University for Peace Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS)
Established
2006
Coordinator
The University for Peace
Length of program
21.5 months
Fund size
USD 1,643,700 / year (disbursed total, 488 recipients over 17 years)
Purpose
Japan and other Asian countries have traditionally been under-represented among staff at international organizations. To address this imbalance, The Nippon Foundation funded a 21-month graduate program that allowed Asian students to receive a Master of Arts in International Peace Studies from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace. The program had the academic collaboration of Ateneo de Manila University, where students took an introductory English Training Module and courses related to Asian issues taught by Asian scholars. The foundation courses in international peace studies were taken at the University for Peace main campus, located in Costa Rica. The program provided 30 scholarships per year, equipping these students with the knowledge and language skills required to work at international organizations and NGOs in the fields of peace building and conflict resolution.
The Nippon Foundation International Fellowship Program
Established
2011
Coordinator
The Nippon Foundation
Length of program
Up to 2 years
Fund size
Approx. USD 1.7 million / year
Purpose
The Nippon Foundation International Fellowship Program provided highly motivated Japanese people working in the public or private sectors with opportunities to further develop their abilities through mid-career study at overseas research or educational institutions. Upon returning from their fellowships, fellows were expected to take the initiative, both individually and collectively, in addressing social issues in Japan and overseas, thereby acting as vital sources of knowledge and conveying that knowledge beyond their own national boundaries, to help improve other parts of the world.
After producing 45 fellows over six terms, this program concluded in fiscal 2019.
Masters Scholarship at Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural University
Established
2018
Coordinator
Zamorano University
Length of program
2 years
Fund size
USD 5,550,000 (disbursed total, 75 recipients over 6 years)
Purpose
This scholarship supported the master’s degree program in sustainable tropical agricultural sciences (MATS), which was part of the university’s innovative academic program launched in August 2018 to train leaders with advanced skills and knowledge to further promote sustainable agricultural development.
