Dreaming of studying in Japan but worried about the cost? The Bridging Scholarship 2026 is officially gearing up to open its next application cycle in spring 2026, offering U.S. undergraduate students a powerful chance to study abroad in Japan on a credit-bearing semester or academic-year program. This is not just funding—it’s a gateway into Japanese society, culture, and long-term global opportunities, with a proven track record of shaping careers and lifelong connections.
What the Bridging Scholarship Brings to the Table?
Designed to close the financial gap that often holds students back, the Bridging Scholarship supports academically motivated undergraduates with real, flexible funding—plus a strong cohort experience.
- $2,500 cash stipend for semester-long study programs in Japan
- $4,500 cash stipend for academic-year programs
- Funds can be used for tuition, airfare, housing, or daily living expenses
- Around $300,000 awarded annually, benefiting 70–100 students each year
- Access to cohort programming focused on global citizenship and U.S.–Japan engagement
Past cohorts reflect impressive diversity—students from community colleges to large public universities, majoring in everything from biochemistry to fine arts, and studying across both urban Tokyo campuses and rural Japanese institutions.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is intentionally broad, welcoming students from all academic paths who are committed to studying in Japan.
- Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. college or university before and during the study-abroad period
- All majors are eligible—no field restrictions
- No Japanese language background required
- Must participate in a semester (minimum 3 months) or academic-year program in Japan
- Program must be credit-bearing, with credits transferable to the home U.S. institution
- Applicants already studying in Japan at the time of application are not eligible.
The scholarship is needs-aware, aiming to support students for whom cost is a real barrier to international education.
How to Apply?
Applying is straightforward, but timing is critical. Once the application opens in spring 2026, students should complete the online form https://www.bridgingfoundation.org/scholarships, demonstrate academic merit and financial need, and clearly outline their study-abroad plans in Japan. All applications must be submitted through the official Bridging Scholarship application portal, which will be made available when the cycle opens.
Application Deadline
For students planning to study abroad in Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or the full 2026–2027 academic year, there is one unified deadline. The last date to apply for the Bridging Scholarship 2026 is March 15, 2026.