Keio University was founded in 1858 as the first modern institution of higher education in Japan. The "Design the Future" Award for International Students is aimed at highly talented international students with outstanding academic records, and is possibly the most generous scholarship available from a Japanese university. International students with the drive to become global leaders in academia, business, and public services are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity.

SUMMARY

• Host Country: Japan
• Host Organizer: Keio University
• Degree Level: Master's and Doctoral (PhD) Programs
• Deadline: October 16, 2026 (Note: Application periods vary according to the Graduate School. October 16 is the furthest deadline for the Science and Technology department, while others close earlier starting from September).

DETAILED INFORMATION

Benefit

• Full coverage of tuition and academic fees at Keio University.
• Monthly living allowance of 200,000 JPY.
• One-time preparation grant for studying in Japan of 150,000 JPY.
• Duration of support: Up to 2 years for a Master's program and 3 years for a Doctoral program.

Eligibility

• International students who have already passed the entrance examination or are planning to apply for the Master's/Doctoral programs at Keio University's Graduate Schools.
• Specific eligibility conditions vary depending on the Graduate School.

Required documents

• Note: Requirements vary by Graduate School, but generally include
• Application Form / Resume (designated Keio form).
• Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate and/or Graduate, in English).
• Research Achievements (e.g., list of papers, academic presentations).
• Recommendation Letter from a prospective academic advisor.
• Language proficiency test results (e.g., JLPT N1 or EJU) if required by the specific school.

How to apply

• Check Requirements: Procedure and application period vary significantly according to the graduate school. Applicants must check the specific requirements for their desired faculty.
• Submit Documents: Send the required application documents to the respective Graduate School's Office of Student Services within their specific application window.
• Screening Process: Each Graduate School performs a primary screening of applicants and nominates candidates to the Scholarship Committee.
• Final Selection: The committee reviews documents and conducts interviews (scheduled for December 12, 2026) for the final selection.

Please visit HERE for more information.