Applications will open for the Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) at Kyoto University for students starting in April 2027. This scholarship supports master’s, professional degree, and first year doctoral students in any field offered by a Kyoto University graduate school. It is a fully funded scholarship that gives you a monthly living allowance of about JPY 150,000 to 220,000, plus support for your tuition and admission fees, for up to 2 years.
It is open to citizens of 24 Asian countries and regions, but you must also either have passed the Kyoto University entrance exam or study at one of the designated partner universities. The official guidelines do not mention any application fee. The deadline is November 13, 2026, at 5:00 pm Japan time. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.
Key Details:
- Host university: Kyoto University
- Host country: Japan
- Degree level: Master’s degree, or the first year of a five year doctoral program
- Funding type: Fully funded
- Application opens: November 4, 2026
- Application deadline: November 13, 2026, at 5:00 pm Japan time
- Application fee: None
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Scholarship Benefits:
- Monthly living support of approximately JPY 150,000 to 220,000 in total
- Admission fee covered
- Tuition fee covered
- A professional enrichment program, including a summer program
- Networking opportunities with fellow scholars, alumni, Kyoto University and BXAI
Note that the exact monthly amount varies depending on the exchange rate.
Who Can Apply?
You must be a citizen of one of the following countries or regions:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Macau
- Taiwan
- Korea
- India
- Indonesia
- Cambodia
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- East Timor
- Philippines
- Bhutan
- Brunei
- Vietnam
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Laos
If you hold citizenship of one of these, read the full eligibility and selection criteria on the official website before applying. Scholars must also complete all requirements of the program.
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Important Dates:
Application Period for April 2027 Enrollment
- Opens: November 4, 2026 (Wednesday)
- Closes: November 13, 2026 (Friday) at 5:00 pm Japan time
Future Intake
Application guidelines for October 2027 enrollment are expected around January 2027, with the application period likely around April 2027.
How to Apply:
Send all application documents as PDF files inside a single ZIP folder to this email address:
Late applications, incomplete applications, and applications sent by any other method will not be accepted under any circumstances. Submitted documents cannot be returned.
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Documents Required
Prepare the following documents:
- Scholarship Application Form (download from the official website)
- Research Plan (any format)
- Essay on a contemporary key issue in Asia
- Letter of Recommendation (download the form from the official website)
- Photograph of the applicant
- Certificate of English Proficiency (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, etc.). If you cannot submit a certificate, use the English Proficiency Evaluation Form instead
- Copy of your university diploma (if you have already graduated)
- Certificate of enrollment (if you expect to graduate)
- Academic transcript
- Declaration of Understanding and Agreement for an International Student Scholarship Application
- Letter of admission from a Kyoto University graduate school
- Copy of Residence Card, both sides (only for applicants living in Japan at the time of application)
- Chinese education ministry verification document (only for graduates of designated universities in China)
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Special Notes on the Documents:
- Letter of admission: If you are currently enrolled in or have completed a bachelor’s degree at a designated institution and cannot obtain the letter by the deadline, state this in your application and submit it as soon as possible.
- Residence Card: If you cannot submit it by the deadline, you must submit it after arriving in Japan.
- Item 13: Applicants from designated Chinese universities must submit either “教育部学歴証書電子注冊備案表” or “教育部学籍在線験証報告”.
Selection Process:
- Application deadline: November 13, 2026
- Stage 1 Screening (document screening): mid to late November 2026, by the Kyoto University selection committee
- Stage 1 results: early December 2026 (tentative), by email
- Stage 2 Screening (interview): mid to late December 2026 (tentative), by the Kyoto University selection committee. Applicants who pass Stage 1 will receive interview details later
- Stage 2 results: mid January 2027 (tentative), by email
- Final interview: date to be decided, conducted by BXAI leaders and board members
For full details, visit the official AFLSP website at Kyoto University
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