General information
Daiwa Scholarship
The Daiwa Scholarship is a unique 19-month programme of language study, work placement and homestay in Japan, following a month of Japanese language tuition in the UK. Daiwa Scholarships offer young and talented UK citizens with strong leadership potential, the opportunity to acquire Japanese language skills, and to access expertise and knowledge relevant to their career goals.
The selected Daiwa Scholars will undertake a month of Japanese language study in the UK during August 2016 before moving to Japan in mid-September 2016 for the remainder of the Scholarship.
No previous experience of Japan or Japanese is necessary.
As of May 2015, 153 Daiwa Scholars – including scientists, artists, academics, lawyers and architects – will have benefited from the Daiwa Scholarships.
Daiwa Scholarships are provided by the Foundation to encourage better understanding between both countries.
You can find a link to the Daiwa Scholarship flyer here.
You can listen to an interview between 2014 Daiwa Scholar, Freyja Sewell, and the BBC’s Dan Damon on the World Service’s World Update via the link below:
Freyja Sewell interview with Dan Damon on World Update, BBC World Service, MP3 file
The closing date for the 2016 programme will be Thursday 3 December 2015.
The link to the online application notes and form can be found here.
The Foundation is also happy to provide advice about possible applications – please contact scholarships@dajf.org.uk.
Programme
DURATION
Daiwa Scholarships last approximately 20 months, starting in August and finishing at the end of March.
ORIENTATION
The selected Daiwa Scholars undertake a month-long Japanese language course in the UK in August and then move to Japan for the rest of the Scholarship in mid-September. There is also a short orientation on arrival in Tokyo.
LANGUAGE STUDY (Months 1-12)
Language Training in the UK prior to departure for Japan (new from 2015)
The selected Daiwa Scholars will undertake a one-month period of Japanese language study in the UK during August before moving to Japan in mid-September for the remainder of the Scholarship.
All Daiwa Scholars will then undertake intensive Japanese language study at the Tokyo School of the Japanese Language, known also as the Naganuma School, and complementary communication classes. After 15 months, they are expected to reach an upper-intermediate level of language ability and are encouraged to sit Level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
Level N2 is the second most advanced stage in the JLPT and is a challenging but achievable objective. To attain Level N2, candidates must demonstrate an understanding of a high level of grammar, kanji (Chinese characters), vocabulary and the ability to converse, read and write about matters of a general nature.
SEMINARS (Months 3-4)
A series of weekly seminars in English are held for Daiwa Scholars at Hosei University in Tokyo. These are designed to give Scholars an introduction to Japanese life, culture and society.
HOMESTAY (Month 14/15)
Daiwa Scholars spend one month with a family outside Tokyo at the end of the first year to improve their language ability and to enhance their understanding of Japan.
WORK PLACEMENTS (Months 15-20)
The Foundation arranges individual work placements appropriate to each Daiwa Scholar’s career goals. Previous Daiwa Scholars have been based at organisations including government ministries, NGOs, universities, think-tanks, media companies, architecture practices and law firms. A high standard of Japanese is essential to benefit from a successful work placement.
GRADUATION
Completion of the programme is marked by a graduation ceremony in Tokyo at which each graduating Scholar gives a short speech in Japanese. Scholars then automatically become members of the Daiwa Scholars Alumni Association.
Naganuma School (external link)
Hosei University (external link)
Eligibility
Candidates for the Daiwa Scholarships must be:
- British citizens
- aged between 21 and 35 years of age by the time of departure.
Candidates should be:
- graduates or due to graduate by the time of departure
- equipped with a strong degree in any subject* or with a strong record of achievement in their field
- in possession of clear career objectives and a commitment to furthering UK-Japan links.
*Graduates in Japanese language studies are not eligible to apply for Daiwa Scholarships but may wish to apply for support through the Foundation’s grant schemes.
Emoluments
TUITION
The Foundation meets all tuition and examination fees associated with the Scholarship.
MAINTENANCE GRANT
Daiwa Scholars receive a maintenance grant for the duration of the Scholarship which is to cover accommodation and living costs for a single person. While on the programme, Scholars may not undertake remunerated work
TRAVEL
The Foundation meets the cost of economy-class travel to and from Japan at the beginning and end of the Scholarship.
ACCOMMODATION
For their first weeks in Japan, Daiwa Scholars are accommodated in a hotel in central Tokyo. During this period, they will look for rented apartments in which they will live for the remainder of the Scholarship.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
All Daiwa Scholars contribute to the compulsory Japanese Government Health Scheme from their maintenance. In addition, the Foundation provides standard medical insurance for Daiwa Scholars while they are in Japan on the programme.