JFUNU Scholarship-Japan Foundation For UNU

JFUNU Scholarship-Japan Foundation For UNU

Scholarship Information

The Japan Foundation for United Nations University (JFUNU) Scholarship is available for outstanding applicants from developing countries who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance, and they will be considered as candidates for the award of the scholarship.

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The programme addresses pressing global issues of sustainability, climate change, development, peace-building, and human rights through an innovative interdisciplinary approach that integrates the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The programme is designed for recent graduates, professionals, and practitioners, and it provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at a global university within the framework of the United Nations.

The scholarship allows Masters level programm(s) in the field of Sustainability taught at United Nations University 

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Scholarship Benefits

a monthly living allowance of 120,000 JPY* for a maximum of 24 months

Tuition fees are completely waived for scholarship recipients.

However, the student is responsible for all travel costs to and from Japan, visa processing fees, and health/accident insurance costs.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the Master of Science in Sustainability, applicants must have met the following requirements by the application deadline. Those interested in participating in a double degree programme between UNU-IAS and the Department of Urban Engineering in the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo must first be shortlisted by the University of Tokyo before applying to UNU-IAS.

A keen interest in environmental studies

Commitment to studying and comprehending global issues

A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a field related to sustainability from a recognised university or institution of higher learning. (Those who expect to graduate with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent before September 2026 are also eligible to apply.)

A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale; English language proficiency.

For more information, please see the section below.

English Language Requirements

The following are the minimum score requirements for UNU-IAS English language qualifications:

TOEFL – Paper-Based Testing (PBT): 600 OR TOEFL – Internet-Based Testing (IBT): 100 OR IELTS – Academic: 7.0
Applicants must submit original TOEFL or IELTS score reports (from a test taken within the last two years) to the Admissions Office at the time of application, except in the cases listed below:

Applicants who speak English as their first language.
Applicants who have graduated from an English-speaking university or postgraduate school.

Applicants who completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme in which English was the language of instruction and examination. In this case, an official statement from the academic institution confirming the use of English as the language of instruction will be required.

Fees

There is no application processing fee.

Annual tuition is $10,000 USD.

The estimated total costs for the master’s degree programme over two years, including tuition, are around 56,000 USD. Applicants must demonstrate financial resources sufficient to cover the full cost of educational and living expenses.

Application Methodology:

The online application form must be used to submit your official application.

To submit your applications, you must first create a user account.

Before submitting, the online form can be saved and returned to at any time.

FAQs: 

What is the JFUNU Scholarship?

The Japan Foundation for UNU (JFUNU) Scholarship is a competitive financial aid program offered by the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Japan. It supports outstanding international students admitted to the MSc in Sustainability programme by providing a monthly stipend and, in many cases, a full tuition waiver.

Who is eligible to apply for the JFUNU Scholarship?

Applicants must:

• Be from a country listed on the latest OECD DAC list of ODA recipients.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be admitted to the UNU-IAS MSc in Sustainability programme.
• Not be living in Japan under a working visa.
• Not already hold another postgraduate degree (outside UNU-IAS) or receive another scholarship simultaneously.

What does the JFUNU Scholarship cover?

The scholarship provides:

• A monthly living allowance of JPY 120,000 for up to 24 months (for the MSc programme).
• A tuition fee waiver for selected recipients.
  However, it generally does not cover airfare, visa costs, health insurance, or other personal expenses.

How do I apply for the JFUNU Scholarship?

There is no separate scholarship application. Eligible students simply indicate their interest and provide the required financial information when applying for admission to the UNU-IAS MSc in Sustainability programme. Scholarship consideration is integrated into the admissions process.

What are the responsibilities of JFUNU Scholarship recipients?

Recipients are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and contribute to the scholarship programme by submitting a short essay about their learning experience at UNU, writing a note of appreciation to the donor before graduation, and participating in JFUNU-related activities and events when requested.