📅 Last Updated: October 2026
Honjo International Scholarship 2027 — Up to ¥230,000/Month
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF) pays international master’s and PhD students in Japan up to ¥230,000 a month, with no repayment, for the minimum length of their degree. Unlike most Japanese scholarships, you apply directly to the foundation, without nomination by your university, and you can apply from abroad once you’ve been accepted by a Japanese graduate school.
Applications for 2027 are open now and close on 31 October 2026. Only about 10 students are selected, and there is one strict condition: you must be able to hold a basic conversation in Japanese, because the interview is in Japanese with no exceptions. This guide is based on HISF’s official 2027 guideline and explains who should apply, including Pakistani and South Asian students, and how.
| University/Organization | Honjo International Scholarship Foundation (HISF), Tokyo |
| Country | Japan |
| Degree/Level | Master’s and PhD at a Japanese graduate school |
| Funding Type | Monthly grant: ¥180,000–¥230,000 (not repayable) |
| Deadline | 31 October 2026 (online system closes; no access from 1 November) |
| Open To | International Students Worldwide (non-Japanese citizens) |
| Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes (basic Japanese required) |
| Official Link | Apply Here |
🎓 About the Honjo International Scholarship 2027
HISF is a private Japanese foundation that supports foreign students at Japanese graduate schools, as well as Japanese students studying abroad. Its aim is to build lasting international friendship. That’s why recipients are expected to take part in foundation events during and after their studies, as part of an alumni network.
The 2027 call offers approximately 10 scholarships. Payments start in April 2027, and students entering graduate school in autumn 2027 can also apply.
How it compares with MEXT: Japan’s government MEXT scholarship covers tuition and a stipend, but usually requires an embassy or university recommendation. Honjo is a direct application with a higher monthly amount for master’s students (¥230,000). Honjo doesn’t pay tuition, but it can be held together with MEXT, along with a few other named scholarships. The trade-off is very few awards and a firm Japanese language requirement.
💰 Benefits and Funding
- 💴 ¥230,000 a month for a 1–2 year degree (usually a master’s)
- 💴 ¥210,000 a month for a 3-year degree
- 💴 ¥180,000 a month for a 4–5 year degree
- 📆 Paid for the shortest period required to complete your degree. The payment period can’t be changed once it starts
- ✈️ Travel grant for attending international conferences, under the foundation’s rules
- 🔁 Not repayable: it’s a grant, not a loan
- 🤝 Membership of the HISF network during and after your studies
Can be combined with only these five: the MEXT Scholarship, the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for privately financed students, the JSPS International Fellowship, a JST Fellowship (if JST approves), and JICA scholarships. No other scholarships may be held at the same time.
What it’s worth: ¥230,000 is roughly PKR 420,000–440,000 a month (approximate; check today’s rate). Note that the official guideline doesn’t include accommodation or tuition, so plan for tuition through a fee waiver, MEXT or your own funds.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
You must meet all of these requirements:
- Not a Japanese citizen
- Enrolled, or applying, at a Japanese graduate school for a course starting April 2027. Students entering in autumn 2027 may also apply, as may people currently working
- Professional graduate schools: generally not eligible, unless you can submit a research plan
- Course length: more than 12 months until graduation
- Age: you must start your PhD by age 35 or your master’s by age 30, with no exceptions
- A strong commitment to serving your home country in your future career
- Commitment to international friendship, foundation events and the alumni network
- Basic conversational Japanese. Interviews are conducted in Japanese, with no exceptions
Language status: no English test is required. The research proposal must be written in Japanese on HISF’s template, but if you’re not confident you may also attach an English version. The 2-minute research video can be in Japanese or English.
Pakistani students: eligible, provided you can speak basic Japanese and meet the age limits.
✅ Strong Candidates
- Pakistani students already in Japan, or those who studied Japanese (for example, at JLPT N4–N3 level or above)
- Applicants accepted to, or applying for, a Japanese master’s (under 30) or PhD (under 35)
- Researchers with a clear plan to contribute to Pakistan after graduating
- MEXT scholars who want extra monthly support (the two can be combined)
❌ Not the Right Fit If
- You can’t hold a basic conversation in Japanese
- You’ll be over 30 at the start of your master’s, or over 35 at the start of your PhD
- You’re a research student, or your course is 12 months or shorter
- You need tuition coverage and have no other source for it
On competitiveness for South Asian applicants: with only about 10 awards worldwide, Honjo is highly selective. Pakistani candidates stand out with a specific “home country” plan, such as a concrete application of their research in Pakistan, and evidence of Japanese study. The Japanese interview is where most applicants without Japanese skills are eliminated.
📚 Fields and Programmes
HISF doesn’t restrict fields. Master’s and PhD students in science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences and the humanities can all apply, as long as they are enrolled, or will enrol, in a qualifying degree programme of more than 12 months at a Japanese graduate school.
The research proposal is where your field matters. HISF asks you to describe:
- Your research and schedule: what you want to find out, by when, and your ultimate goal
- Your contribution to your home country based on what you learn in Japan
- What you’ve already achieved in research, academic and social activities
📄 Required Documents
Everything is uploaded through the online application system. Postal applications are not accepted.
- Face photo: .jpg or .gif, up to 500 kB
- 2-minute research video (required): .mp4 or .mov, up to 1 GB, in Japanese or English. Your face must be visible, and slides are allowed
- 30-second self-promotion video (optional): .mp4 or .mov, in Japanese or English, mainly you speaking without slides
- Undergraduate transcript (required), plus a graduate transcript if you have one, in Japanese or English (or with a translation)
- Research proposal on HISF’s template, in Japanese, with an optional English version
- Recommendation letter from your supervisor or previous supervisor, signed or sealed. The recommender can email it directly to info@hisf.or.jp by 31 October, with your name and application number in the file name
- Proof of admission or enrolment. If you don’t have it by 31 October, enter the expected date and email it later
Note for Pakistani applicants: photocopies are accepted for upload, and HEC attestation isn’t requested at this stage. Start the research video early, because recording a clear 2-minute summary usually takes several attempts.
🧭 Step-by-Step Application Process
- Check eligibility: your age at the start of the course, course length, and basic Japanese.
- Download the research proposal template from the HISF scholarship page and write it in Japanese, adding an English version if needed.
- Record your 2-minute research video, and optionally the 30-second self-promotion video.
- Ask your supervisor to email a signed recommendation letter to info@hisf.or.jp before 31 October.
- Register on the online system at entry.hisf.or.jp, enter your details and upload all files. Save your application number.
- Edit as needed until 31 October. The latest version is saved automatically, and you can’t log in from 1 November.
- Check results by application number on HISF’s website: first-round results by 31 January 2027, then the Japanese interview in early February, then final results on 31 March 2027.
Practical tip: practise for the interview now. Prepare 5–6 simple Japanese answers about your research, why Japan, and how you’ll help Pakistan, and rehearse them aloud. A clear, simple answer is far better than a complex one you can’t deliver.
📅 Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application opened | 1 September 2026 |
| Application deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| First selection (documents): results | By 31 January 2027 |
| Second selection: interview in Japanese | Early February 2027 (around 9 February), in Tokyo or by video call |
| Final result | 31 March 2027 |
| Scholarship payments begin | April 2027 (or autumn 2027 for autumn entrants) |
📌 Bookmark this page. We update deadlines as soon as changes are announced.
🌟 Why Apply
¥230,000 a month for a master’s is one of the highest stipends from any private foundation in Japan, and the direct application means you don’t depend on university nomination. For Pakistani students who have invested in learning Japanese, Honjo is a strong reward for that effort, and it can be combined with MEXT.
For other Japan options, see our guides to the OIST PhD, the MEXT APU Scholarship and the KUT SSP PhD Scholarship. You can also browse all Scholarships, internships in Jobs & Internships, interview and video tips in Guidelines & Resources, and Japan study fairs in Events & Conferences.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are based on what students most commonly search about this program.
Q: Can Pakistani students apply for the Honjo International Scholarship?
Yes, if they are enrolled in or applying to a Japanese graduate school, meet the age limits (master’s by age 30, PhD by age 35), and can hold a basic conversation in Japanese, because the interview is in Japanese with no exceptions.
Q: How much does the Honjo scholarship pay?
¥230,000 a month for 1–2 year degrees, ¥210,000 for 3-year degrees, and ¥180,000 for 4–5 year degrees, paid for the minimum period needed to complete the degree. It doesn’t need to be repaid.
Q: Does the Honjo scholarship cover tuition or accommodation?
No. The official 2027 guideline lists a monthly grant and a conference travel grant only. Tuition and accommodation aren’t included.
Q: Can I hold Honjo together with MEXT?
Yes. Honjo can be held with MEXT, the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship, the JSPS International Fellowship, a JST Fellowship (if approved) and JICA scholarships, but no others.
Q: Do I need my university to nominate me?
No. You apply directly to the foundation through its online system, without university pre-selection.
Q: How many Honjo scholarships are awarded?
Approximately 10 students for the 2027 scholarship.
🔗 Official Source
- HISF: Scholarship for Foreign Students
- HISF 2027 Application Guideline (PDF)
- HISF online application system
Contact (by email): info@hisf.or.jp · Honjo International Scholarship Foundation, 1-14-9 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0063
📊 Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Honjo International Scholarship for Foreign Students 2027 |
| Country | Japan |
| Level | Master’s and PhD (course longer than 12 months) |
| Monthly Grant | ¥230,000 (1–2 yrs) · ¥210,000 (3 yrs) · ¥180,000 (4–5 yrs) |
| Not Covered | Tuition, accommodation |
| Awards | About 10 |
| Age Limits | Master’s start by 30 · PhD start by 35 |
| Language | Basic Japanese required; interview in Japanese |
| Application | Direct, online (no university nomination) |
| Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Final Result | 31 March 2027 |
| Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes (with basic Japanese) |
| Official Link | hisf.or.jp |
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