University-Specific Scholarships in Japan: Todai Fellowship Guide

University-Specific Scholarships in Japan: The Todai Fellowship and Beyond

When international students think about funding their studies in Japan, MEXT and JASSO usually come to mind first. But there's another tier of scholarships that often gets overlooked: university-specific programs.

These scholarships are funded directly by individual universities, and they can be surprisingly generous. The University of Tokyo Fellowship, known informally as the Todai Fellowship, pays ¥200,000 per month. That's more than double the JASSO stipend. And it's just one example.

This guide focuses on the Todai Fellowship as a flagship case study, then shows you how to find similar programs at other Japanese universities.

What Is the Todai Fellowship?

The University of Tokyo Fellowship (東京大学外国人留学生特別奨学制度) was established in 2004 as part of the university's transition to a national university corporation. The goal was straightforward: attract outstanding self-financed international students to UTokyo's graduate programs and support them through to degree completion [citation:4][citation:7].

Since its founding, the program has supported 952 recipients as of March 2026. In the 2025 academic year alone, 44 new recipients were selected, with 110 graduate students receiving funding that year [citation:4].

How Much Does the Todai Fellowship Pay?

The stipend is fixed at ¥200,000 per month. Payment continues until the end of your standard program duration—two years for master's students, three years for doctoral students, and up to one year for research students [citation:1][citation:6].

One important note: the Todai Fellowship does not cover tuition. Recipients are expected to pay tuition separately. In fact, if you're awarded the fellowship, you must withdraw any tuition exemption application you've submitted [citation:1][citation:6].

Who Is Eligible?

The eligibility criteria are specific, and they vary slightly by graduate school. Here are the core requirements [citation:1][citation:6][citation:10]:

• Enrollment status: Must be enrolled in a master's or doctoral program at UTokyo (or be a research student)
• Financing: Must be a privately-financed international student (self-financed)
• Visa: Must hold a "Student" (留学) residence status
• Academic performance: Grade evaluation coefficient of 2.30 or higher on a 3.00 scale
• Concurrent scholarships: Cannot be receiving or planning to receive other designated scholarships

Special Restrictions by Graduate School

Different graduate schools impose additional restrictions. For example, the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences does not allow recipients to receive any other private foundation scholarships [citation:2]. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Komaba) does not select students who are applying for scholarships requiring university recommendation [citation:6].

How to Apply: Graduate School by Graduate School

There is no centralized application portal for the Todai Fellowship. Each graduate school runs its own recruitment. This is the single most important thing to understand about this scholarship.

1. Identify your graduate school's application window. Deadlines vary dramatically. Here are examples from 2026:
   • Graduate School of Medicine: February 9 – April 10, 2026 [citation:10]
   • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Komaba): Deadline April 16, 2026 [citation:6][citation:19]
   • Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology: Deadline April 20, 2026 (extended) [citation:1]
   • Graduate School of Education: Deadline May 22, 2026 (extended from April 20) [citation:5]
   • Graduate School of Frontier Sciences: June 4–10, 2026 [citation:2][citation:9]
2. Prepare your documents. Typical requirements include application form, research plan, transcript, grading coefficient calculation table, and recommendation letter [citation:1][citation:6].
3. Submit through your graduate school's designated method. Some schools use Microsoft Forms, others use SharePoint uploads, and some require email submission [citation:6][citation:2].
4. Wait for document screening results. If you pass, you'll be invited to an interview.
5. Attend the interview. The format varies. The Graduate School of Medicine conducts Zoom interviews with oral research presentations in mid-May [citation:10].

Other University-Specific Scholarships in Japan

The Todai Fellowship is not unique. Many Japanese universities offer their own scholarships for international students. Here's a quick comparison of examples:

The University of Tokyo also offers a separate International Student Support Fund that pays ¥50,000 per month. This is a need-based scholarship with about 25 recipients per year [citation:13]. It's less generous than the Todai Fellowship but also less competitive.

Tips for a Strong Todai Fellowship Application

• Start with your graduate school's office. This is your only source of truth for deadlines, required documents, and submission methods. Contact them early [citation:4].
• Prepare a compelling research plan. The research plan is one of the most important documents in the application. It should clearly state your topic, methodology, and how your research contributes to your field [citation:2].
• Get your recommendation letter sorted early. Some schools require the recommendation letter to be sent directly from your supervisor to the graduate school office, not through you [citation:1].
• Understand the tuition situation. The fellowship does not cover tuition. If you're awarded, you must withdraw any tuition exemption application. Budget accordingly [citation:1].
• Check your graduate school's specific restrictions. Some schools prohibit concurrent private foundation scholarships. Others exclude students applying for university-recommended scholarships [citation:2][citation:6].

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming there's a centralized application. There isn't. Each graduate school runs its own process with its own deadlines [citation:4].
• Missing your graduate school's internal deadline. The dates listed on the UTokyo central website are general guidelines. Your specific graduate school may have an earlier or later deadline [citation:5].
• Applying while receiving another major scholarship. If you're already receiving MEXT, JASSO, or most private foundation scholarships, you're likely ineligible [citation:2].
• Forgetting about the tuition requirement. The fellowship doesn't cover tuition. If you're awarded, you must withdraw any tuition exemption application [citation:1].
• Not submitting the end-of-year report. Recipients must submit a research progress report, transcript, and advisor evaluation at the end of each academic year. Failure to do so can result in termination of the scholarship [citation:1][citation:6].

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Are University-Specific Scholarships Worth Pursuing?

Absolutely. The Todai Fellowship pays ¥200,000 per month—more than double the JASSO stipend. It's one of the most generous scholarships available to international students in Japan. And it's just one example of the many university-specific programs that exist.

The trade-off is complexity. There's no central application portal. Deadlines vary by graduate school. Eligibility rules differ. You need to be proactive and contact your specific graduate school's office directly.

For students who are already enrolled at UTokyo or planning to apply, the Todai Fellowship is worth the effort. For students at other universities, the lesson is this: check what your own university offers. You might be surprised by what's available.

For more scholarship opportunities and guidance on studying in Japan, explore LetsTern's scholarship database and country guides.