Rotary Yoneyama Scholarships have helped students through decades past and will continue to do so in decades to come. The scholarship has stood for years as an international symbol of hope and opportunity for overseas students, and a beacon for lasting peace emanating from Japan widely seen throughout the world.
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Rotary Club of Tokyo
The Yoneyama Scholarship Program was established in 1952, named after Mr. Umekichi Yoneyama (1868-1946), a Japanese bank executive who advocated the principle of “corporate philanthropy” who was instrumental in the formation of the first Rotary Club in Japan in Tokyo. Today, it is called the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, after the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology granted its official recognition and the authorization in 1967 to become part of the nation’s contribution to global peace and understanding.
The Foundation awards scholarships to overseas students who wish to study or conduct research in Japanese universities and other schools, especially well-qualified and dynamic individuals who have leadership potential and who can be expected to use their education and talents to serve their own countries and the whole global community through their careers and advocacies. Mr. Yoneyama’s dream of promoting Japan as a peace-loving nation continues to be a growing testimony to its fulfillment through the many individuals from over a hundred countries who have benefited from the scholarship and who continue to promote goodwill by their own lives. As of 2019, the Rotary Club had awarded over 21,000 scholarship grants to students from 129 countries and regions.
※ Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, “Application for the 2020 school year”
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Scholarships
There are several types of scholarships granted by the Yoneyama Foundation, as listed in the Foundation’s official website, namely:
|
Scholarship |
Qualifications |
Amount of the Grant |
Duration and other info |
|
1. Rotary Yoneyama Memorial |
· 3rd and 4th year undergraduate college students; · 5th and 6th year students in these courses: |
100,000 yen per month |
1 or 2 years |
|
2. Rotary Yoneyama Memorial |
· 1st and 2nd-year students of a master’s program |
140,000 yen per month |
1 or 2 years |
|
3. Rotary Yoneyama Memorial |
· 2nd and 3rd-year students of a doctoral program; · 3rd and 4th-year students of a doctoral program |
140,000 yen per month. |
2 years |
|
4. Rotary Yoneyama Memorial |
Granted to students enrolled in an institution · students in an advanced course at a college of technology; · students enrolled in the degree of Advanced diploma |
100,000 yen per month 70,000 for others |
1 or 2 years |
|
5. Rotary Yoneyama Memorial |
Granted to those enrolled in their final year of a doctoral course |
140,000 yen per month |
6 months to 1 year You must get approval |
|
6. Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship |
Granted to foreign individuals entering universities |
-100,000 yen per month for undergraduates -140,000 yen per month for postgraduate students. |
2 years Students must know |
|
7. Japan Rotary Yoneyama |
Granted to advanced researchers from Taiwan |
140,000 yen per month |
1 year |
Please check the Rotary Yoneyama website for more eligibility requirements and details for each scholarship, as well as their application period.
Types and Period of Scholarships
Application and selection
Scholars under the YU, YM, and YD types must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Citizenship
Only non-Japanese citizens will qualify, including those from other countries, non-Japanese dual citizens, and stateless people. Appropriate student or research visas are required of grantees, whether for college students or refugees duly authorized by the Minister of Justice.
2. System of Nomination for Chosen Institution
The scholar must be nominated by the school where the scholar plans to study. Enrollment must already be guaranteed and/or the student must already be enrolled to apply. Specific qualifications may differ per school.
3. Designated Schools and Grant Periods
The respective Rotary district will designate the schools where scholars may enroll and can apply to the grant as provided in the above section, subject to conditions in cases of repeated years or leaves of absence.
4. Health Condition
Scholars must have generally good health to finish the course in Japan.
5. Doctorates
Holders of doctorate degrees are not eligible, unless they are engaged in research in a different field.
6. Age Limit
Students must be 44 years old or under at the time of the start of the course.
Japanese Language Proficiency
Some scholarships require a high level of proficiency in the Japanese language as early as during the time of the interview - or the school requires that you need have a high level of Japanese to enroll before applying to the scholarships. Saitama University is one of those schools strictly observing this requirements. Tokyo Medical and Dental University also requires high Japanese proficiency for students already enrolled in a program at their school.
Selection Process
-
Applicant submits completed application form to the school.
-
From September to early October, the school will select and then nominate students to the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation.
-
The Rotary committee will screen the nominees.
-
The Rotary selection committee will conduct interviews from December to January to screen the nominees to the school within that Rotary district.
-
The Rotary committee will notify successful candidates through their schools by the middle of February.
Summary
Mr. Yoneyama’s legacy of peace and goodwill remains a bright guiding light for hundreds of students and professionals who have participated in the Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation’s noble educational program, as well as for future scholars who seek solid and meaningful education in Japan. If you plan to study in Japan, or already studying in Japan and you qualify, go for these competitive but generous scholarships!
