Scholarships can help fund your experience abroad.
Below is a list of scholarship opportunities for study abroad in Japan. Past Japan Study students have had their time abroad fully funded through a combination of grants and scholarships. Click the title of each scholarship for more info. Deadlines and qualifications vary. Contact your study abroad office for additional scholarship opportunities.
Professor Jackson Bailey
The Jackson Bailey Endowed Travel Scholarship
Funded through a generous donor, the Japan Study - Jackson Bailey Endowed Scholarship fund helps students with financial need offset their airfare to Japan. Award amounts vary per year. Per the donor’s request, this award is open only to students from ACM and GLCA consortial colleges who are selected for the Academic Year option.
This scholarship is given in memory of Dr. Jackson Bailey, the founder of the Japan Study Program who made significant contributions to the early study of Japan in the U.S. Learn more about Japan Study’s history by clicking here.
Note: To confirm that your school is an ACM or GLCA consortial institution, please check both the GLCA and ACM websites. Due March 8th.
Japan Study donor as a student and his host mother, Aya Kawano
The Aya Kawano Host Family Experience Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Aya Kawano Host Family Experience Endowed Scholarship Fund was established by a generous gift from a 2013 alumnus of Japan Study, in memory of his host mother Aya Kawano. The Kawano family hosted the alumnus during his spring semester at Waseda University, and opened their home and their hearts to many other students participating in Japan Study over the years. Mrs. Kawano’s selflessness, unwavering generosity, love of teaching and learning, and zest for life are memorialized in this scholarship fund.
Japan Study participants who choose to live with host families are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Four scholarships will be awarded annually to students and host families to jointly develop a shared, memorable travel or leisure learning experience. Students apply while in Japan.
Japan Study is deeply grateful for the generous gift from our alumnus, as well as the contributions from friends and family towards this endowed scholarship. Mrs. Kawano’s life and legacy will be honored for many years to come through the experiences shared between Japan Study students and host families.
Note: For students living with a host family. Application guidelines and submission are made while in Japan. Due date TBD.
The Lillian Broox Manis Endowed Scholarship
The Lillian Broox Manis Scholarship was established to assist students who share Lilli's passion and inquisitive interest in Japanese Studies to travel to Japan to study and learn. The scholarship was established by the family and friends of Lillian Broox Manis, who was enrolled in Earlham's entering class of 2008. On July 12, 2008, before Lilli had the opportunity to live that dream, she tragically lost her life in a car accident when a drunk driver hit her. Her family and friends established this scholarship to remember her life, her interests, and her goals. Recipients of the Lillian Broox Manis Scholarship are required to attend a luncheon with the Manis family and to periodically write to the family while in Japan.
Note: For Earlham College students going on Japan Study. A committee confers this award.
Alan and Miriam Campbell
Alan and Miriam Campbell Endowed Travel Fund
This scholarship is to commemorate Alan B. Campbell (class of 1950) and Miriam O. Campbell who hosted Japanese students in the 1980-90s. Both Alan and Miriam lost their fathers during the Depression learning to “make do” while sharing with others. Miriam Lambert (later known as Ruth Miriam Olson) and Alan were married in December 1941, when the War between the US and Japan broke out. With assistance from the Society of Friends as well as the Methodist Church, Alan was granted a religious Conscientious Objector status and was assigned to work at a hospital, as well as other war effort locations. After the war, Alan enrolled in Earlham College and Miriam worked at a local hospital. With a Master’s Degree in hospital administration from Northwestern University, Alan started his hospital administrative career in Illinois eventually settling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Alan was an honest, hard-working, loving husband and father of five children. Alan and Miriam believed in God, pacifism, church service, supporting and caring for others and the equality of all.In the 1980-90s, after retirement, they hosted Japanese exchange students from Waseda University who participated in a summer program in Cedar Rapids before going to study at colleges of the GLCA/ACM.
The Campbells and the students stayed connected with each other over the next decades. Alan and Miriam also hosted students from other parts of the world. In memory of their hospitality and friendship, one of the students has set up this endowed scholarship fund. The fund will help Earlham College students to have invaluable lifetime experience by supporting their travel costs associated with studying abroad.
Note: For Earlham College students going on Japan Study. Application due February 16th.
Scholarships Through Other Organizations
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are planning to study abroad. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. Ideally, students should begin their application one full semester before their study abroad program is scheduled to begin. The application deadline is in early to mid-March.
The Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship
The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund/Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to undergraduates/graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in either the United States or Japan. A generous endowment gift of $10 million from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.-Japan Council makes it possible to award scholarships to students for whom study abroad would not be possible without financial support. The scholarship will support up to the full cost of attendance to the study abroad program of the applicant’s choice. The scholarship program grants awards to recipients in amounts determined by financial need and other qualifications. Applications open in January.
The Bridging Scholarship for Study Abroad in Japan
The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. 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. Award amounts vary from $2,500 for semester-long programs to $4,000 for academic year programs. The application deadline is early early to mid-April for Full Year and Fall students, and early October for spring students.
The Freeman-Asia Scholarship
Freeman-ASIA (Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) is designed to support U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. The program’s goal is to increase the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures. Award recipients are required to share their experiences with their home campuses or communities to encourage study abroad by others and fulfill the program's goal of increasing understanding of Asia in the United States. Grant amounts are: Summer, $3,000; Semester $5,000; Academic Year, $7,000. Freeman-ASIA Award funds may be adjusted should the recipient receive additional financial assistance not reported at the time of application
Boren Scholarship
The National Security Education Program's Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Students are required to work for the U.S. federal government in the national security arena for a fixed term following graduation. Maximum scholarship awards are: $10,000 for a semester and $20,000 for a full academic year. The application deadline is in early February. Please apply early for this scholarship before the results of Japan Study are announced.
Fund for Education Abroad
FEA is committed to increasing the opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as undergraduates in US universities/colleges who plan to study abroad for at least four weeks. The application deadline is in January. Please apply early for this scholarship before the results of Japan Study are announced.