DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: MARCH 1, 2024
The Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grants aims to support deserving Filipino students who require financial assistance to pursue higher education in the field of food technology and human nutrition. This gives a full scholarship in a master’s course at select graduate schools in designated universities in Japan namely University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Institute of Science Tokyo, Ochanomizu University, Waseda University and Kagawa Nutrition University.
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY
Aspiring applicants to the Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant must meet the following qualifications:
- Must be a Filipino Citizen
- Must have graduated or be expected to graduate with an excellent academic record (with at least 15 years of education completed or expected to be completed) and must receive the recommendation of his/her Academic Advisor/ Professors
- Must be under the age of 35 years old on April 1, 2024.
- Must file an application and attend selection procedures in the Philippines
- Must be in good physical and mental health
- Must have excellence in personality, in academic (within top 5% of the class or with GPA of 3.7 or higher) and have a strong motivation for learning.
- Must not be receiving other scholarships
- Must show financial need to pursue higher education.
- Must have a strong sense of nationalism, leadership and motivation
- Upon conferment of the scholarship, the applicant must be able to:
- Obtain approval of acceptance as either a Postgraduate International Research Student (hereinafter “ Research Student”) or a Graduate School Student (Master’s course) (hereinafter “Master’s Course Student) from the University and be registered as a Research Student or a Master’s Course Student for April 2024 or October 2024
- Must acquire adequate Japanese language proficiency that is required in order to research and study in master’s course, when enrolling as a Master’s course student
- Must pass the Medical and Psychological Exam
- Must be able to obtain Passport and Student’s Visa to Japan
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
- ¥ 150,000 monthly allowance for a maximum of 1 year as a research student at a graduate school
- ¥ 180,000 monthly allowance for a maximum of 2 years as a master’s course student at graduate school
- Full coverage of examination, admission and tuition fees
- Full coverage of Medical exam, Psychological Exam and Japanese language training before going to Japan
- Airfare to Japan from Philippines
SCHOLARSHIP GRANT DURATION
- If the recipient enrols as a research student, scholarship will be provided for a maximum of 3 years (1 year as a research student and maximum 2 years as a master’s course student). The scholarship will be suspended if the recipient fails to pass the entrance exam for a master’s course within a year after arriving in Japan.
- For Waseda University, in principle, scholarships will be provided for 2 years studying as a Master’s Course Student.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO BE ACCEPTED: One (1) student from each of the six (6) countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Russia
APPLICATION DETAILS OF THE UNIVERSITIES: See Appendix 1_Application Details For Graduate Schools
DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: MARCH 1, 2024
SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship will be suspended or terminated, if any one of the following conditions applies to the scholarship recipient:
- False information found in the application form
- Receives any other 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 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
According to circumstances, the scholarship amount already disbursed may be subject to repayment in full or in part.
SELECTION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE
- 1st Screening- Application Documents Screening: March 4- 15, 2024
- 2nd Screening- Online Panel Interview: April 1, 2024 (Interview will be done in English)
- Notification of results: June 2024
Nominated applicant who pass the 2nd screening must submit all the necessary documents designated by the graduate schools or the Universities they wish to enroll within the application period (refer to Appendix 2_Required Documents for Applying as an International Research Student). The nominated applicant to enroll in October should pay attention to the application period and the date of issuance of the letter of acceptance because they differ from those for the April enrollment. Please contact the graduate school you wish to enroll for details.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Deadline of application is on March 1, 2024
Accomplish the following downloadable forms:
- Application Form 1 (2025_Application Form 1) and Form 2 (2025_Application Form 2)
- 2025_Field of Study and Study Program
- Financial Assistance Application Form
- 2 Recommendation Forms – (To be accomplished by the University President or Academic advisor). Note: Additional recommendation letter will also be accepted.
- Click here for a Guide on How to Accomplish the Application Forms.
- Recommendation forms must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the signature of the University President or advisor on the envelope’s flap.
Attach the following:
-
- 3 passport sized photos taken within the last 6 months
- Transcript of scholastic record issued by the university and/or graduate school attended (or certified true copy of transcripts from the university if the university does not issue copies of transcripts.) Note: (1) For applicants whose transcripts of records do not indicate a General Weighted Average (GWA), submit a certificate indicating GWA and its equivalent GPA. (2) For applicants whose transcripts of records that indicate a General Weighted Average (GWA), submit a certificate indicating its equivalent 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 documents proving Japanese proficiency of the applicant (such as results of JPLT, EJU and other tests provided by Japanese training institutions) when required by the University, if available
- TOEFL and GRE scores when required by the graduate school which the applicant wishes to enrol, if available
-
- If you are currently employed, please submit the following:
- 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
- If you are married, please submit:
- 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).
- If you are currently single and/or unemployed, please submit:
- Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ tax Withheld, and;
- Latest Certificate of employment of your employed parents or parent. (Note: Applicant whose parent or parents is/are deceased or unemployed, please submit signed Certificate issued by local agency, company or government.)
- For self-employed parents, please submit:
- Business/ DTI Permit, detailed description of the business
- Income and Expenses financial statement of the previous year
- For Parents not filing an ITR, please submit:
- Letter indicating the reason for non-filing;
- Provide certified true copy of Certificate of Non-filing from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
- If parent/ guardian is retired, please submit Retirement and/or Pension Voucher.
- If you are currently employed, please submit the following:
Place all accomplished forms and documents in a sealed long brown envelope and send to:
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
Note:
- The documents submitted shall not be returned under any circumstances.
- Please have your documents delivered directly to our office.
DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: MARCH 1, 2024
For inquiries, please contact:
| E-mail: |
To: deborah.fajarda.a5t@asv.ajinomoto.com Subject: ASEAN AJINOMOTO SCHOLARSHIP AY 2025 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
| Frequently Asked Questions | Answers |
|
Do you offer this scholarship opportunity to incoming high school and college students too? |
No, we only offer post-graduate scholarship to those who already graduated or expected to graduate from college to pursue higher education in their chosen field. |
|
I am a Filipino Citizen and currently residing overseas. Can I apply for this scholarship? |
Applicants must file their application and attend to selection procedures in the Philippines. Applicants residing overseas will be disqualified. |
|
I already have a Master’s degree and seeking to continue a Doctorate Degree. Can I utilize this scholarship? |
We only offer post-graduate scholarship for Master’s Course and this could not be utilized for a Doctorate course. |
|
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 2026. Can I apply for this scholarship? |
This scholarship is for Academic Year 2025 only and this could not be converted for Academic Year 2026. |
|
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? |
Currently, the scholarship only covers the mentioned courses and universities in the appendices. |
|
Can I submit my application documents via e-mail? |
We do not accept application documents sent via e-mail. We require submission of physical documents to our office. |
|
Can I submit a hand-written application form? |
The foundation only accepts type-written answers in the application form due to concerns on penmanship legibility. However, applicants must affix their wet signatures. Applicants’ 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 sent/ delivered directly to our office’s reception area. We highly suggest that the applicant considers the delivery lead time to ensure that the documents will be submitted on or before March 1, 2024. |
|
Can I personally submit my application documents to your office? |
Yes, you may personally submit your application documents. However, please take note that our office hours is from 6:30 AM to 4:15 PM (Monday- Friday) only and we are closed on holidays. |
|
Is my pre-elementary education years counted as part of the 15 years education requirement? |
No, pre-elementary education would not be counted to form part of the total 15 years education. Start of count would be from elementary education. |
|
Can I just request recommendation letter from my academic advisor and not from the University President? |
Yes, recommendation letters from your academic advisor or professors are accepted. |
|
Can I just submit 1 recommendation letter? |
We require submission of 2 recommendation letters from your academic advisor or professors. |
|
It is difficult for me to set a face-to-face appointment with my previous advisor/ professor for my recommendation letters. Can I just ask them to send me the soft copy of recommendation letters with their e-signatures so I can print them and submit? |
If securing physical recommendation letters from your previous professors or advisors would be a challenge, your former advisor or professor must directly send the recommendation letters (in PDF format) with their signatures (electronic signatures are accepted) to the email address below: To: deborah.fajarda.a5t@asv.ajinomoto.com Subject: RECOMMENDATION LETTER_ (APPLICANT’S NAME)- SCHOLARSHIP Recommendation letters submitted via email by the applicant will not be accepted. |
|
Can I just submit a photocopy of my scholastic records? |
We require certified true copy of scholastic records. Non-certified copy of scholastic records will not be accepted. |
|
Our university’s transcript of records does not indicate our General Weighted Average. What can I submit instead? |
Together with your Transcript of records, submit a signed certificate indicating your General Weighted Average. |
|
How do I select a host professor? |
Selecting the host professor is dependent upon the research study you wish to pursue for your graduate studies. Find the most appropriate professor and laboratory that would match your field of interest. Visit our partner universities’ website to know the procedure on how to reach out to a possible host professor. |
|
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 yet required to submit an acceptance letter from their intended host professor. However, applicants are encouraged to send an intent letter to their preferred host professor. The intent letter should mention the following important details: · You are currently applying for a scholarship grant offered by the Ajinomoto · If you are selected to receive the scholarship, you would want to be accepted in their lab and be their student · Briefly explain the research study you wanted to pursue under their lab (No need to send a research proposal) Once an applicant has been selected and conferred with the scholarship, the Ajinomoto Foundation will require the scholarship recipient to secure a formal acceptance letter from the host professor. |
|
Am I required to send my past research papers as part of my application documents? |
The screening committee only needs a brief explanation of the research activities you have done in the past. Explanation of past research activities must include the following important details: · Year the research was conducted · Research Abstract (Title, Background, short description of methodology, results) · Significance/ Purpose of the research · How unique the research was (specify originality points) · Issues encountered and resolutions applied Utilize the page 1 of Field of Study and Study Program Form. There is no need to send a full research paper. |
|
Am I required to submit a research proposal as part of my application documents? |
The screening committee only needs a brief explanation of the research study (Study Program) you wanted to pursue in Japan. The explanation must include the following important details: · Research Title · Research problem (explain the problem and research background in a clear, concise and simple terms) · Research methodology you would apply · Significance of the study · How unique your research would be (specify originality points) Utilize the page 2 of Field of Study and Study Program Form. There is no need to send a full research proposal. |
|
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? |
Submission of language proficiency test results as part the application documents is not yet required during application process. Once an applicant has been conferred with the scholarship, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation will enroll the scholar to a Japanese Language class to acquire the needed language proficiency before going to Japan. However, if language proficiency test results are available, you may send these documents as well. |
|
How many will be shortlisted to proceed to the panel interview? |
Only top 3 applicants will be invited for the interview. All applicants will be notified whether or not they are shortlisted for the interview. |
|
How will the interview be conducted? |
Interview will be done via Zoom. |
|
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 the result. |
|
Does this scholarship have a Return Service Agreement? |
None, but we encourage scholars to utilize their gained knowledge and skills to help in the advancement of science and technology in the Philippines. |