Scholarships and Financial Assistance SectionWaseda University

The Scholarship for Fostering Researchers in Doctoral Programs was established in Academic Year 2009 with the aim of helping talented young researchers. This scholarship is available to students enrolled in a doctoral program (first to third year students) or consistent five-year doctoral program (first to fifth year students) within the standard years for degree, who satisfy all eligibility criteria and submit the prescribed applications forms, with the exception of students exempted from paying tuition fees (such as government-sponsored international students or Waseda University research associates). Each graduate school will select the recipients for the scholarship as listed in the table below.

For more details, please make sure to check the application guideline distributed at each graduate school during the application period indicated in the table below.

＃The name of the scholarship has been changed from “Scholarship for Young Doctoral Students” to “Scholarship for Fostering Researchers in Doctoral Programs” starting in AY2023.

Application guidelines for the Spring 2025 application (for September Enrollees) are now available.

• AY2025 Spring Application Guidelines Scholarship for Fostering Researchers in Doctoral Programs （For the students who entered by Academic Year 2022）

Eligibility

1. Students who have been enrolled at the university from AY 2009 or later (excluding readmitted students)
2. Regular students who remain registered in a doctoral program (or consistent five-year doctoral program) within the standard years for degree
3. Applicants who are under 30 years of age as of April 1st in the academic year in which they receive the scholarship

• Students exempted from paying tuition fees, such as government-sponsored international students or Waseda University research associates, are not eligible to apply.
• September enrollees who took leave of absence during the Fall Semester of the previous academic year are eligible to apply in the May-June application period. April enrollees who took leave of absence during the Spring Semester of the current academic year are eligible to apply in the October-November application period.
• The same student is only eligible to receive scholarships for a total of three times (Consistent five-year doctoral program :a total of five times) during his or her enrollment at the university.
• This scholarship is granted only for a period of one year. Eligible students who wish to receive the scholarship from the following academic year onwards must apply every academic year. Scholarship grant amounts and eligibility criteria may change.

Application guidelines for the Spring 2025 application (for September Enrollees) are now available.

• AY2025 Spring Application Guidelines Scholarship for Fostering Researchers in Doctoral Programs （For the students who entered in Academic Year 2023）

Eligibility

1. Students who have been enrolled at the university from AY 2023 or later (excluding readmitted students)
2. Regular students who remain registered in a doctoral program (or consistent five-year doctoral program) within the standard years for degree
3. Applicants who have earned master’s or professional degree within eight years of the scholarship award as of April 1 of the year in which the scholarship is awarded (*If the applicants have not earned master’s or professional degree, the scholarship may be awarded within 10 years of undergraduate graduation)
4. Applicants whose own income of 4.42 million yen or less in the year prior to receiving the scholarship

• Students exempted from paying tuition fees, such as government-sponsored international students or Waseda University research associates, are not eligible to apply.
• September enrollees who took leave of absence during the Fall Semester of the previous academic year are eligible to apply in the May-June application period. April enrollees who took leave of absence during the Spring Semester of the current academic year are eligible to apply in the October-November application period.
• The same student is only eligible to receive scholarships for a total of three times (Consistent five-year doctoral program :a total of five times) during his or her enrollment at the university.
• This scholarship is granted only for a period of one year. Eligible students who wish to receive the scholarship from the following academic year onwards must apply every academic year. Scholarship grant amounts and eligibility criteria may change.