Deadline of Application: March 1, 2025
The Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship supports deserving Filipino students who need financial assistance to pursue a master’s degree in the field of sciences (Food Science and Technology, Human Nutrition, Chemistry and Engineering) at select top universities in Japan such as University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ochanomizu University, Waseda University and Kagawa Nutrition University.
Scholarship Benefits
- Monthly stipend:
- ¥150,000 per month (up to 1 year as a research student)
- ¥180,000 per month (up to 2 years as a master’s student)
- Full coverage of tuition, admission, and exam fees.
- Direct flight airfare from the Philippines to Japan.
- Pre-departure medical exams and Japanese language training
Scholarship Duration
- Up to 3 years: 1 year as a Research Student + 2 years as a Master’s Course Student.
- For Waseda University: Scholarships are for 2 years as a Master’s Student only.
Selection Process
- 1st Screening: March 3–7, 2025
- 2nd Screening: Interview (For Top 3 Applicants only) on March 19, 2025 (conducted in English)
- 3rd Screening: May 2025
- Results Announcement: June 2025
The selected applicant must complete the required university documents and ensure enrollment by October 2025.
Important Notes
The scholarship will be suspended or terminated, if any one of the following conditions applies to the scholarship recipient. According to the circumstances, the scholarship amount already disbursed may be subject to repayment in full or in part:
- Providing false information during application
- Receives any other scholarship during the application and/or after conferment of scholarship
- Fails to pass the entrance examination to a master’s course within one year after arriving to Japan (applicable to the recipient entering as a Research Student)
- Fails to arrive in Japan by the appointed date
- Long-term absence due to illness or other health problems, dishonest act and poor academic performance including leaving the school and repeating a school year
- Violates the rules and regulations of the University or Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation.
Apply now and take a step towards advancing your education in Japan!
Are you ready to take the next step toward an advanced degree in Japan? Here’s how you can apply for the Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship 2026.
Step 1: Check your Eligibility
Eligibility Checklist
Aspiring applicants to the Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant must meet the following qualifications:
- Eligibility qualifications during initial screening process:
- Be a Filipino citizen under 35 years old (as of April 1, 2025)
- Must have completed or be on track to complete at least 15 years of education with a strong academic record
- Receive a recommendation from academic advisors
- Have an excellent academic record (top 5% of your class or GWA of 1.25 (GPA of 2.75) or better)
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Show financial need
- Not receiving other scholarships
- Must be able to participate in the screening process in the Philippines
- The applicant must demonstrate excellent academic abilities, a strong motivation for learning, and good character.
- Additional qualifications after passing the second screening
- Must be able to pass the admission requirements and secure acceptance as a Research or Master’s Course Student at the University and be officially registered in the program.
- Must be able to pass the Japanese language proficiency test
Step 2: Gather your documents
Prepare the following:
- Accomplish the following forms:
- 2026_Application Form 1
- 2026_ Application Form 2
- 2026_Field of Study and Program
- Financial Assistance Form
- Recommendation forms
- Secure at least 2 recommendation forms from your university professors/ advisors)
- Recommendation forms must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the signature of your professor/ advisor on the envelope’s flap.
Note: Here is a Guide on How to Fill in the Application forms.
- Attach the following:
- Transcript of Records (original or certified true copy).
- If your transcript does not show a General Weighted Average (GWA), provide a certificate stating your GWA and its equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA)
- If your transcript shows a General Weighted Average (GWA), provide a certificate stating its equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Certified true copy of University/ College diploma (For graduating students who cannot provide at the time of application, submit a Certificate of Graduation)
- Photocopied proof of Japanese Language Proficiency (Japanese Language Test Results or TOEFL and GRE scores), if available
- Documents supporting the need for financial assistance:
- Employed applicants
- Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ Tax withheld, and;
- Latest Certificate of Employment and Compensation indicating annual/ monthly salary, bonuses, commissions with signature of authorized company representative
- Transcript of Records (original or certified true copy).
- Married applicants
- Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ Tax withheld of your spouse, and
- Latest Certificate of Employment of your spouse with signature of authorized company representative (Note: Applicant whose spouse is retired, deceased, or unemployed, submit certificate issued by a local agency, company or government with respective signature/s).
- Married applicants
- Single and unemployed applicants
- For applicants with employed parents, submit Latest Certificate of employment of your employed parent/s.
- Single and unemployed applicants
- For applicants with self-employed parents/ guardians:
- Business/ DTI Permit, detailed description of the business
- Income and expenses financial statement of previous year
- For applicants with parents/ guardians not filing an ITR:
- Letter indicating the reason for non-filing
- Certified true copy of Certificate of Non-Filing from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- For applicants with self-employed parents/ guardians:
- For applicants with retired parents/ guardians, submit Retirement and/or Pension Voucher
- For applicants with unemployed parents, submit Certificate of Indigency from barangay of residence with respective signatures.
- For applicants with deceased parents/ guardians, submit a certification from barangay of residence with respective signature
Step 3. Submit your application.
Place all your applications documents (duly accomplished forms and attachments) in a sealed long brown envelope and send to our office:
AJINOMOTO SCHOLARSHIP SECRETARIAT
Public Relations Department
Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation
Unit 1100, 11th Floor, V Corporate Centre
125 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village
Makati City, Philippines
0917-820-2499
Note:
- The documents submitted shall not be returned under any circumstances.
Please have your documents delivered directly to our office, from Monday-Friday (except holidays) within working hours (8:00 am-5:00 pm).
Step 4. Undergo the selection process.
- 1st Screening: Evaluation by Ajinomoto Philippines, which includes a review of your documents and possibly an interview.
- 2nd Screening: Interview of Top 3 Applicants on March 19, 2025 (conducted in English)
- 3rd Screening: Document review by Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation
Step 5. Await Notification
- The top-ranked student in accordance with the screening process will be notified in June 2025.
- He or she will contact his/her preferred laboratory in one of the specified graduate schools to secure an informal acceptance letter.
- If they receive informal acceptance from a host professor, he/she will be confirmed as a successful candidate.
- The Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation will certify him/her as an approved candidate, provided they pass the graduate school’s entrance examination.
DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: MARCH 1, 2025
For inquiries, please contact:
| E-mail: | To: deborah.fajarda.a5t@asv.ajinomoto.com Subject: ASEAN AJINOMOTO SCHOLARSHIP AY 2026 Note: Please expect a response within 2 days from the time you sent your inquiry. |
| Mobile Number: | Please contact Deborah Fajarda at 0917-820-2499 Note: If the applicant prefers to call for his or her inquiries, please contact the above number during office hours from 6:30 AM to 4:15 PM (Monday- Friday) only, except holidays. |
FAQs
If you need any further clarification, please check our Frequently Asked Questions section below to see if your questions are addressed here. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, feel free to contact the scholarship secretariat. You can find the contact details in the Contact Information tab.
| Frequently Asked Questions | Answers |
Do you offer this scholarship opportunity to incoming high school and college students too? | We only offer postgraduate scholarships for students who have already graduated or are expected to graduate from college. This program is specifically for those pursuing higher education, such as a master’s degree, in their chosen field. |
I am a Filipino Citizen and currently residing overseas. Can I apply for this scholarship? | Applicants must submit their application and participate in the selection process in the Philippines. Those residing abroad are not eligible to apply. |
I already have a Master’s degree and seeking to continue a Doctorate Degree. Can I utilize this scholarship? | Our scholarship program is exclusively for post-graduate Master’s courses and cannot be applied toward Doctorate studies. |
I am already accepted in one of your partner Universities in Japan. I am currently looking for scholarship opportunity to pursue my post-graduate course for Academic Year 2025. Can I apply for this scholarship? | This scholarship is exclusively for Academic Year 2026 and cannot be applied or transferred to Academic Year 2025. |
Is this scholarship limited to the courses and universities mentioned in the appendices? Would there be a possibility that scholarship coverage would be widened to other courses and universities? | The scholarship currently covers only the specific courses and universities listed in the appendices. |
Can I submit my application documents via e-mail? | We do not accept application documents submitted via email. Applicants are required to send physical copies of their documents to our office. |
Can I submit a hand-written application form? | The foundation requires all answers on the application form to be typewritten to ensure legibility. Applicants must also provide their wet signatures, as electronic signatures are not accepted. |
Can I send my documents via same-day delivery services and ask the secretariat to meet the rider to receive my application documents? | All application documents must be delivered directly to our office’s reception area. Submissions requiring staff to meet a courier or rider at the building’s ground floor will not be entertained. Applicants are encouraged to plan for delivery lead time to ensure documents arrive on or before March 1, 2025. |
Can I personally submit my application documents to your office? | Yes, you may personally submit your application documents. Please note that our office hours are from 6:30 AM to 4:15 PM, Monday to Friday. The office is closed on holidays, so plan your visit accordingly. |
Is my pre-elementary education years counted as part of the 15 years education requirement? | No, pre-elementary education will not be counted as part of the required 15 years of education. The 15 years of education begin counting from elementary education onwards. |
Can I just submit 1 recommendation letter? | We require submission of 2 recommendation letters from your academic advisor or professors. |
Can I just submit a photocopy of my scholastic records? | We require a certified true copy of your scholastic records. Non-certified copies will not be accepted. |
Our university’s transcript of records does not indicate our General Weighted Average. What can I submit instead? | Along with your transcript of records, please submit a signed certificate that indicates your General Weighted Average (GWA). |
How do I select a host professor? | Selecting a host professor for your graduate studies depends on the specific research you wish to pursue. To find the most suitable professor and laboratory for your field of interest, visit the websites of our partner universities. There, you will find detailed information on how to contact potential professors and the procedure to follow for securing a spot in their laboratory. This step is crucial, as the match between your research interests and the professor’s expertise will help guide your academic journey. For more details, please refer to the respective university websites. |
Am I expected to receive an acceptance letter from my intended host professor from the university I wanted to enroll before I can submit my application documents? | During the application process, applicants are not required to submit an acceptance letter from their intended host professor. However, applicants are encouraged to send an intent letter to the professor of their choice during the application process. This letter should include the following:
After being selected and awarded the scholarship, recipients will need to secure a formal acceptance letter from their chosen host professor, which will be required by the Ajinomoto Foundation. This approach allows applicants to demonstrate their research interests and establish a connection with their potential host professor, but formal acceptance will come only after scholarship confirmation. |
Am I required to send my past research papers as part of my application documents? | The screening committee requires a brief explanation of your past research activities, which should include the following details:
Please use Page 1 of the Field of Study and Study Program Form for this information. There is no need to submit a full research paper; just the concise details mentioned above. |
Am I required to submit a research proposal as part of my application documents? | The screening committee requires a brief explanation of the research study (Study Program) you wish to pursue in Japan. The explanation should include:
Please complete Page 2 of the Field of Study and Study Program Form with these details. A full research proposal is not required at this stage. |
Am I required to submit a language proficiency test result (results of JPLT, EJU, TOEFL, GRE Scores and other tests provided by Japanese training institutions) as part of my application documents? | Submitting language proficiency test results is not required when you first apply for the scholarship. If you are awarded the scholarship, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation will enroll you in a Japanese Language class to help you acquire the necessary language skills before you go to Japan. However, if you already have language proficiency test results, you may choose to submit them along with your application. |
How many will be shortlisted to proceed to the panel interview? | Only the top 3 applicants will be invited for an interview. All applicants, whether selected for the interview or not, will be notified about the status of their application. |
How will the interview be conducted? | Interviews for the scholarship will be conducted either at our office or through an online platform, depending on the applicant’s location. |
Will you return the application documents to the applicants who failed to proceed to the interview? | No, all submitted application documents will not be returned to the applicants, regardless of whether they are selected or not. |
Does this scholarship have a Return Service Agreement? | The scholarship does not have any specific obligation for the scholars to return to the Philippines or work in a particular sector after completing their studies. However, the Ajinomoto Foundation encourages scholars to use the knowledge and skills they gain to contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the Philippines, promoting growth and innovation in their home country. |