Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidates – APU 2027

Overview

A monthly stipend plus travel support for non-Japanese master's and PhD students enrolling at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, jointly awarded with the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation.

Eligibility

Benefits

Application Process

The Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidates funds non-Japanese master’s and doctoral students enrolling at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Beppu, Japan.

It is jointly administered: students must be independently admitted to APU’s Graduate School and separately selected by the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, Japan’s largest privately funded scholarship body for international students.

This scholarship targets students planning April 2027 enrollment at APU.

Scholarship Summary

Scholarship Name: Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidates

Academic Year: 2027 (April 2027 enrollment)

Host Country: Japan

Scholarship Provider: Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, in cooperation with APU

Administered Through: APU Graduate School Admissions + Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation

Eligible Applicants: Non-Japanese nationals residing outside Japan

Study Location: Beppu, Oita, Japan

Application Method: Online, via the APU Online Application System, plus direct application to the Foundation

Study Levels

The scholarship supports students applying to APU’s Graduate School at the following levels:

• Master’s Degree
• PhD / Doctoral Studies

Who Can Apply?

This scholarship is aimed at prospective international graduate students who are also applying for admission to APU’s Graduate School.

• Must not hold Japanese nationality (dual nationals are excluded)
• Must be residing outside Japan (generally no more than ~31 days’ prior residence, with some exceptions) until the program start
• Must hold at least JLPT N4-level Japanese language proficiency
• Must have been born after 2 April 1982
• Must be applying (or already accepted) to APU’s Graduate School master’s or doctoral program

The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation sets its own internal selection schedule separate from APU’s admissions deadline — candidates should confirm current Foundation-side dates directly at rotary-yoneyama.or.jp/english/overseas.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful scholars receive:

• A monthly stipend of JPY 140,000, for up to two years (renewable based on academic standing)
• A one-time travel subsidy of up to JPY 250,000 toward economy-class airfare, reimbursed after arrival in Japan

How to Apply

Candidates apply to APU’s graduate program through the APU Online Application System and indicate Rotary Yoneyama candidacy there, while separately applying directly to the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation.

Application Steps

1. Apply for admission to APU’s Graduate School through the APU Online Application System.
2. Indicate your intent to apply for the Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship as part of your APU application.
3. Separately prepare and submit your application directly to the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, including a research plan and essay.
4. Once APU issues a Letter of Acceptance, submit it to the Foundation to finalize scholarship consideration.
5. Await the Foundation’s final selection decision.

Application Deadline

Deadline: 7 October 2026, for students planning April 2027 enrollment at APU.

The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, the actual funding body, historically uses a separate internal schedule for its own selection process and a different deadline (around 15 September 2026) for students targeting September 2027 enrollment — confirm current Foundation-side dates before applying.

Important Information

• Applicants must be admitted to APU’s Graduate School independently of the scholarship decision
• Japanese proficiency of at least JLPT N4 is required
• Applicants must reside outside Japan until enrollment (limited exceptions apply)
• The Foundation’s own deadlines may differ from APU’s admissions deadline — verify both

Official Application Portal

APU Online Application System

Official Sources

Applicants should always prioritize information published by:

• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) Graduate Admissions
• Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation

Disclaimer: Scholarship availability, eligibility requirements, benefits, deadlines, and participating programs may change. Applicants should verify all information through the official sources before applying.