The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation funds scholarships administered through AATJ to help students study abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Since 1999, more than 2,000 students have received Bridging Scholarships to study abroad in Japan.

2024-2025 BRIDGING SCHOLARSHIPS

The U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation, in partnership with AATJ, is excited to open applications for scholarships to study in Japan beginning in Fall 2024. The term of study can be the Fall 2024 semester, the 2024-25 academic year, or the Spring 2025 semester. Please note: There will be no later, separate application deadline for Spring 2025 scholarships. These scholarships are not given for summer study programs in Japan.

Bridging Scholarship recipients receive stipends of up to $2,500 for a semester’s study program or up to $4,500 for an academic-year program. Awardees join the Bridging Scholar community and gain access to our extensive alumni, donor, and supporter network. Foundation programming includes in-person and virtual mentorship opportunities as well as career and networking events.

The Bridging Foundation seeks to recruit a diverse cohort of students and has allocated a number of scholarships for students from underrepresented communities.

Applications are now closed.

2023-2024 BRIDGING SCHOLARSHIPS

Fifty-four students have been awarded Bridging Scholarships to support their study abroad in Japan for the Fall 2023 semester or the 2023-24 academic year.

Click here to view Bridging Scholarships Spring 2024 Recipients

Click here to view Bridging Scholarships Fall 2023 Recipients

QUALIFICATIONS TO APPLY FOR BRIDGING SCHOLARSHIPS

Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for Bridging Scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad. Their study in Japan must last for at least 3 months and must earn credit that will transfer to their home campus in the US. Students who have already begun their study abroad in Japan are not eligible to apply.

For more information about the US-Japan Bridging Foundation, please visit www.bridgingfoundation.org.