Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations has made it possible for ATJ to award 100 scholarships annually to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan.
Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and be enrolled in a college or university in the United States.
Bridging Scholarship recipients receive a stipend of $2,500 (for students on semester-long programs) or $4,000 (for students on academic year programs).
Applications for Bridging Scholarships are accepted twice a year: the next deadline, for students who will be studying in Japan beginning in Spring 2006, will be October 5, 2005. The spring deadline will be in early April.
To apply, submit three copies of all materials except letters of recommendation and transcripts. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. The results of the competition will be announced by the end of November.
Selection will be made by a committee and will be based on academic potential and financial need.
Each scholarship recipient will be expected to send a brief report about his or her study in Japan to the ATJ office within 60 days of returning from abroad. These reports will be valuable both for students who plan to study abroad in Japan and for teachers and advisors who are helping students to select suitable programs of study.
Application materials include the following:
- A completed application form (download from http://www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj/Bridging/bridging_sch.html).
- A short essay (up to 500 words) explaining your interest in study abroad in Japan.
- Evidence of acceptance for study abroad in Japan. This can take the form of a letter of acceptance by a host institution in Japan or a letter from your home institution indicating that you have been nominated for study abroad. Study in Japan must be in a semester- or year-long program sponsored by a U.S. educational institution, a Japanese university, or an independent academic organization. Summer programs are not eligible.
- A budget showing the cost of your term of study in Japan and listing scholarships, loans, and other financial aid you expect to receive. Please include actual or estimated dollar amounts, including total anticipated cost and total anticipated aid. Use a separate sheet if the space on the application form is not adequate.
- An official transcript from your college or university.
- A letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and is knowledgeable about your abilities and potential. (This may either be submitted together with the application or mailed separately to the ATJ office; please note that it must be received by the application deadline date in order for your application to be considered.) Faxed or e-mailed letters will not be accepted.
For further information on the Bridging Scholarships, a list of past recipients, or details of the application procedure, see http://www.colorado.edu/ealc/atj/Bridging/scholarships.html or contact Susan Schmidt, Executive Director of the Bridging Project Clearinghouse, at the ATJ office: atj@colorado.edu.
Bridging Project Clearinghouse
Association of Teachers of Japanese
Campus Box 279
240 Humanities Building
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0279
Phone: 303-492-5487 Fax:303-492-5856
E-mail: atj@colorado.edu
Web: http://www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj
