The College Women’s Association of Japan (CWAJ) has officially opened applications for its prestigious CWAJ Scholarship Program 2026. This highly respected initiative offers a range of fully funded and partially funded scholarships for graduate-level education and visually impaired students in Japan and abroad. Since its inception, the program has supported over 900 scholars, empowering them to make a difference in their fields and communities.
What’s on Offer?
The 2026 CWAJ Scholarship Program includes several funding opportunities:
-
CWAJ Graduate Scholarship for Japanese Women to Study Abroad
Awarded to Japanese or special permanent resident women pursuing a graduate degree overseas in an English-taught program.
Funding: 3.5 million yen -
CWAJ Cartier Scholarship
One recipient among the Graduate Scholarship applicants is selected for this award, with a focus on entrepreneurship and societal contribution.
Funding: 3.5 million yen -
CWAJ Graduate Scholarship for Non-Japanese Women to Study in Japan (NJG)
Open to non-Japanese women currently residing in Japan and enrolled in a PhD program at a Japanese university.
Funding: 2 million yen -
CWAJ Scholarships for the Visually Impaired
Available for visually impaired Japanese nationals or special permanent residents to study in Japan or abroad. Also open to non-Japanese visually impaired women studying in Japan.
Funding: Varies depending on the track.
Who Can Apply?
For Graduate Scholarships (Japanese and Cartier):
- Must identify as a woman and be a Japanese national or special permanent resident
- Must reside in Japan at the time of application
- Must be accepted into an English-taught graduate program abroad for the 2026–2027 academic year
- Must not have previously received a CWAJ scholarship
For the NJG Scholarship (Non-Japanese Women):
- Must be a non-Japanese woman residing in Japan
- Must be enrolled in a PhD program at a Japanese university during April 2026 to March 2027
- Must not hold permanent residency or have received CWAJ funding before
For Visually Impaired Scholarships:
- Open to visually impaired applicants who are either Japanese nationals or non-Japanese women depending on the category
- No age or field restrictions.
Apply: https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admissions/financial-scholarships/individual/
Application Deadlines
- Graduate and NJG Scholarships
Application Period: July 1, 2025 to October 6, 2025 (22:00 JST) - Visually Impaired Scholarships
Application Period: July 1, 2025 to November 7, 2025 (Friday).
Successful applicants will be notified by March 2026, with award ceremonies expected to take place in May 2026.