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, thorugh donations to the nonprofit US-Japan Bridging Foundation, has made it possible for ATJ to award 20 scholarships to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year beginning in spring 2012.

The list of recipients for Spring 2012 can be found here.

The deadline for applications from students who will study in Japan beginning in Fall 2012 will be April 6, 2012.


In addition, Morgan Stanley Japan will offer two scholarships of $7,500 to students who have an interest in economics and finance, who will study in Japan for the entire 2012-2013 academic year, and who submit a supplementary research paper. For information on the Morgan Stanley Scholarships, click here .


Contributors to the Bridging Scholarship fund include Amway International, Bloomberg LP, Stephen and Sally Butters, Chartis Insurance, Citigroup Japan, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Estee Lauder, Exxon Mobil Y.K., the Freeman Foundation, Ichigo Asset Management, the JCC Fund, JP Morgan Japan, Lockheed Martin, Kathy Matsui, Merrill Lynch, Mitsubishi International Corporation, Morgan Stanley Japan, Nomura Holding America, Oak Lawn Marketing, ORIX USA, Thierry Porte, Temple University-Japan Campus, the Terasaki Foundation, and Toyota Motor Corporation.

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 Fall 2012 should be submitted to ATJ by the deadline of April 6, 2012.

Please submit the following to the ATJ office:

1. An application form can be downloaded from this website (see below). A printed application can be requested from the ATJ 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 ATJ 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: April 6 is not a postmark deadline; your application materials should be received by that date.