The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations, through donations to the nonprofit US-Japan Bridging Foundation, makes it possible to award about 100 scholarships each year to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Applications are accepted twice a year for Bridging Scholarships.


APPLICATION FORM


FALL 2013 SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications for scholarships for study in Japan beginning in Fall 2013 are no longer being accepted. The recipients of Fall 2013 Scholarships will be announced in late May.


SPRING 2014 SCHOLARSHIPS

*** Applications for scholarships for study in Japan beginning in Spring 2014 should be submitted by October 8, 2013. ***


SPRING 2013 SCHOLARSHIPS

20 scholarships were awarded to students who are studying in Japan in spring 2013.

List of recipients of scholarships for Spring 2013



SPONSORS OF THE BRIDGING SCHOLARSHIPS

The Bridging Scholarship program is sponsored and funded by the US-Japan Bridging Foundation, through contributions from a number of corporations, private foundations, and individual donors.

Contributors to the Bridging Scholarship fund include Aflac, AIG Japan Holdings, Amway International, Ronald and Maria Anderson, Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, Laurence Bates, Bloomberg LP, the Bridging Scholars Alumni Fund, Stephen and Sally Butters, Chartis Far East Holding KK, Citigroup Japan, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu LLC, Estee Lauder, Exxon Mobil G.K., Robert Feldman, the Freeman Foundation, Goldman Sachs Gives, Norimasa and Atsuko Hirai, Ichigo Asset Management, JP Morgan Japan, Shiro Kambara, Jonathan Kushner, Lockheed Martin, Mission Value Partners, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Morgan Stanley Japan, Oak Lawn Marketing, ORIX USA, Thierry and Yasko Porte, Paul Takanawa, George and Brad Takei, Temple University-Japan Campus, the Terasaki Foundation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Kouji Yamada, and Christopher Wells.

QUALIFICATIONS TO APPLY

Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these 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. (For a list of the most recent recipients of the Bridging Scholarship, scroll down to the bottom of this page.)

Bridging Scholarship recipients receive a stipend of $2,500 (for students on semester-long programs) or $4,000 (for students on academic year programs). Students studying in Japan on summer programs are not eligible to apply.

Applications for study in Japan in Spring 2014 should be submitted to AATJ by the deadline of October 8, 2013.

1. An application form can be downloaded from this website (see below). A printed application can be requested from the AATJ office by phone, fax, or e-mail.
   
   
2. A short essay (up to 500 words) introducing yourself, explaining your interest in study in Japan, and outlining what you hope to achieve by participating in a study abroad program (three copies).
   
   
3. An official transcript from your college or university.
   
   
4. A letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and is knowledgeable about your abilities and potential, preferably a professor or instructor in your major field. (This may either be submitted together with the application or mailed separately to the AATJ office; please note that it must be received by the application deadline date in order for your application to be considered.) Faxed or e-mailed letters will not be accepted.
   
   PLEASE NOTE: October 8 is not a postmark deadline; your application materials should be received by that date.