TOBE MAKI SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
Tobe Maki Foundation Scholarship in Japan
living only · bachelors, masters, phd
- ~¥70,000/month (€5,000/yr est.)Graduate stipend
- ~¥60,000/month (€4,300/yr est.)Undergraduate stipend
- 60 awards per yearPlaces available
- 2 years (up to 4 for PhD)Duration
- All nationalitiesOpen globally
- No repayment requiredAward type
At a glance
living only
Funding
€5k
Max amount
May 8, 2027
Deadline
All countries (students enrolled at universities in Japan)
Country
Tobe Maki Scholarship Foundation
Provider
The Tobe Maki Scholarship Foundation, based in Osaka, Japan, runs a non-repayable scholarship for both domestic and international students studying at Japanese universities for the 2026/2027 cycle. It supports a total of 60 students each year, of whom roughly 55 are Japanese nationals or equivalents and about 5 are international students. The award is a monthly living-cost stipend: graduate students receive 70,000 yen per month (840,000 yen per year, about 5,000 EUR (est.)), while undergraduate students receive 60,000 yen per month (720,000 yen per year, about 4,300 EUR (est.)). The standard duration is 2 years, from April 2026 to March 2027, and can be extended up to 4 years for doctoral students. Eligible fields are chemical sciences, food science, art and design, physical education and sports science, and business administration. Applicants must be under 30 on 1 April 2026, enrolled at a Japanese university, in their 3rd undergraduate year or higher (or in a Master's or PhD programme), and self-funded. If a recipient receives another scholarship worth over 2,000,000 yen per year the amount may be reduced. Because stipend rates, the number of places, and the closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official Tobe Maki Foundation page before you apply.
What's covered
- Graduate stipend — A monthly living-cost stipend of 70,000 yen for Master's and PhD students, totalling 840,000 yen per year (around €5,000 (est.)).
- Undergraduate stipend — A monthly living-cost stipend of 60,000 yen for undergraduate students, totalling 720,000 yen per year (around €4,300 (est.)).
- Multi-year support — Funding for a standard duration of 2 years (April 2026 to March 2027), extendable up to 4 years for exceptional doctoral students.
- Non-repayable award — The scholarship is a grant with no repayment required after graduation.
- Networking events — Access to optional networking and social events organised by the Foundation for recipients during the award period.
How to apply
Applications require both an online submission via the Foundation's Scholarship Application Support System and the mailing of original documents by post.
- Register on the support system — Create an account on the Tobe Maki Foundation Scholarship Application Support System and complete the online application form.
- Prepare your documents — Gather the application form, a letter of recommendation from your university president or department head, a certificate of enrolment, academic transcripts, a residence certificate, and a recent photo.
- Submit your documents online — Upload the required PDF documents through the support system before the online submission deadline around 8 May 2027 (est.).
- Mail the original documents — Post the original documents along with your online receipt number so they arrive by the postal deadline around 12 May 2027 (est.); both online and postal submission are required.
- Await the results — Selection results are announced in early July, after which successful recipients begin the scholarship.
Eligibility
Nationality and enrolmentOpen to all nationalities; applicants must be enrolled at a university in Japan between April 2026 and March 2027 and hold a 'Student' residence visa if international.
AgeMust be under 30 years old as of 1 April 2026, with exceptions possible for valid circumstances.
Level of studyUndergraduates must be in their 3rd year or higher; Master's and doctoral students are also eligible.
Field and funding statusMust conduct research in an eligible field, be self-funded (not receiving a government scholarship), and demonstrate academic merit, good character, and financial need.
If a recipient receives another scholarship of more than 2,000,000 yen per year, this award may be reduced. Recipients must submit semester transcripts, annual activity reports, and periodic status reports.
Eligible countries
All countries (students enrolled at universities in Japan)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cycle (online)~8 May 2027 (est.)
2026/2027 cycle (postal arrival)~12 May 2027 (est.)
Selection
The Tobe Maki Foundation assesses applicants on academic merit, character and discipline, and financial need, with research in the eligible fields a requirement. A total of 60 students are selected each year, of whom around 5 places are reserved for international students. Incomplete applications or those that do not follow the format guidelines are disqualified, and recipients must fulfil reporting obligations to retain the award.
Verified sources
- Tobe Maki Scholarship Foundationtobemaki.or.jpofficial
About the provider
The Tobe Maki Scholarship Foundation is a Japanese charitable foundation based in Osaka that supports talented and motivated students facing financial hardship. It provides non-repayable monthly stipends to undergraduate and graduate students at universities in Japan across fields including chemistry, food science, art and design, sports science, and business administration.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Tobe Maki Foundation Scholarship?
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Students of all nationalities enrolled at a Japanese university who are under 30, in their 3rd undergraduate year or higher (or in a Master's or PhD programme), self-funded, and conducting research in an eligible field.
How much is the scholarship worth?
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Graduate students receive 70,000 yen per month (around €5,000 per year (est.)) and undergraduates 60,000 yen per month (around €4,300 per year (est.)).
Does the scholarship need to be repaid?
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No; it is a non-repayable grant with no obligation to repay after graduation.
How many scholarships are awarded?
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A total of 60 students per year, of whom around 55 are Japanese nationals or equivalents and about 5 are international students.
How long does the scholarship last?
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The standard duration is 2 years (April 2026 to March 2027) and can be extended up to 4 years for exceptional doctoral students.
What fields are eligible?
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Chemical sciences, food science, art and design, physical education and sports science, and business administration.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes; applicants must be under 30 years old as of 1 April 2026, though exceptions may be made for valid circumstances.
Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
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You must be self-funded and not receiving a government scholarship; if you receive another scholarship over 2,000,000 yen per year, this award may be reduced.
What documents do I need to apply?
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An application form, a letter of recommendation, a certificate of enrolment, academic transcripts, a residence certificate, and a recent photo.
How do I submit my application?
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Submit online through the Foundation's Scholarship Application Support System and mail the original documents by post; both steps are required.
When is the deadline?
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The online submission deadline falls around 8 May 2027 (est.) and postal documents must arrive by around 12 May 2027 (est.); confirm exact dates officially.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official Tobe Maki Scholarship Foundation website linked in the sources section.