Ajinomoto Scholarship for International Students

Ajinomoto Scholarship for international students in Japan is now open. The Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation offers a prestigious scholarship program for international students pursuing graduate studies in Japan, particularly in the fields of food, nutrition, health, and related sciences. The scholarship mainly targets students from Asia, Africa, and South America who demonstrate strong academic performance, research potential, and financial need.

Eligible applicants are generally enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs at Japanese universities and must apply through their university or supervising professor. The scholarship provides generous financial support, including monthly stipends, and in some cases covers tuition fees, admission fees, etc. The program aims to develop future leaders who can contribute to global health, nutrition, and scientific advancement in their home countries after completing their studies in Japan.

Several leading Japanese universities participate in the program, including the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. You need to be already enrolled in a Japanese graduate school to apply. You apply through your university, not directly to Ajinomoto. Your professor or department head needs to recommend you. They scholarship is very competitive as they only take about ten new people each year.

Program Details

• Host institution: Any Japanese university with a graduate program.
• Fields of Study: Food, nutrition, and health-related fields only.
• Number of Awards: Approximately 10.
• Duration: Up to 2 years.
• Eligible countries: Countries in Asia, Africa, and South America primarily.

Ajinomoto Scholarship for International Students Benefits

Selected scholars receive the following:

1. Monthly stipend of 150,000 yen;
2. Payment starts from April of the award year;
3. First payment (April through July, four months total) is sent together in July;
4. From August onward, payments are made monthly to your bank account.

The scholarship can be combined with other funding up to the amount of national university tuition. No problem there.

Ajinomoto Scholarship for International Students Eligibility

To apply for this scholarship to study in Japan, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:

• Hold nationality from a country in Asia, Africa, or South America (primary regions);
• Be in Japan specifically to study and research in food, nutrition, or health fields;
• Be currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program at a Japanese graduate school;
• Be under 30 years old as of April 1, 2026;
• Have strong academic and personal records, with genuine motivation to study;
• Be able to obtain a recommendation from the head of your graduate school or your academic supervisor (professor or associate professor);
• Be able to submit your application through your university (not directly).

Required Documents

Submit the following through your university. All documents must be in the prescribed forms available from the Ajinomoto Scholarship website.

1. Official application form (with photograph attached). click here to download the form;
2. “Current Research Status and Future Research Plan” (on the prescribed form). click here to download the form;
3. Recommendation letter from your department head or supervisor (no specific format required);
4. Most recent academic transcript. If your current program’s transcript is unavailable, use the previous program’s. Newly enrolled students can submit acceptance notification or admission letter instead.
5. Certificate of enrollment;
6. Copy of passport (photo page).

How to Apply for the Ajinomoto Scholarship for International Students?

Interested candidates cannot apply directly. You must submit your application through the international student office or graduate school administration at your Japanese university. Your university forwards it to the Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation.

The first round is document review. The second round is an interview. You will be notified of results by late June. If selected, you must submit a signed pledge (prescribed form) to the foundation chairman.

The application deadline is May 20, 2026. Documents must arrive by this date. No materials will be returned. For more details about the Ajinomoto Scholarship for International Students, please visit the official website.