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Recruit Scholarship for Art Students

The Recruit Foundation is excited to announce the opening of its Art Department Scholarship application period, commencing on July 1 and concluding on September 16. This scholarship, which does not require repayment, is designed for aspiring artists under the age of 24 who aim to pursue their studies at overseas universities or graduate schools. The scholarship encourages creative individuals to contribute to society through their artistic endeavors.

Scholarship Details

The scholarship provides monthly financial support determined based on the country of study:

• - United States: $2,700
• - United Kingdom: £2,000
• - European Union: €2,300

Students who are selected will receive the scholarship for a duration of two years, with the possibility of annual renewal until they turn 27, contingent upon passing the yearly review.

Key Dates

• - Application Period: July 1 - September 16, 2025
• - Scholarship Duration: April 2026 - March 2028
• - Number of Recipients: Approximately 2 candidates

For more details, you can visit the official application page here.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Be 24 years old or younger as of April 1, 2026.
2. Intend to enroll in or are currently enrolled at a designated institution during the period from April 2026 to March 2027. This applies only to full-time undergraduate, master's, or doctoral programs (excludes exchange programs, language schools, or working holidays).
3. Possess a desire to use their artistic abilities to make a positive impact on society, excluding those intending to pursue careers specifically in film, animation, or other entertainment sectors.
4. Plan to study contemporary art (design, architecture, or similar fields are excluded).

Additionally, applicants must have graduated from a Japanese university and are only eligible for graduate programs if they proceed directly after their undergraduate degree.
Current international students are also welcome to apply, but scholarship disbursement will commence in April 2026. There are no restrictions based on nationality or current residence, although application materials and interviews will be conducted in Japanese.

Targeted Institutions

Eligible universities must rank in the top 50 for Art & Design according to the following criteria:

• - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

For further information about eligible schools, please visit this link.

Application Process

Prospective applicants should follow these steps:
1. Web Entry: Register on the Recruit Foundation's website between July 1 and September 16, 2025, before 23:59 JST.
2. Notification: Selected applicants will be informed through email.
3. Final Selection Submission: Candidates who pass the initial screening must submit the following materials via email:
- A portfolio of up to 20 pages or a video under 5 minutes (mandatory)
- Presentation materials (optional)
4. Final Selection Interview: Scheduled on October 27 or 28, applicants will have about 45 minutes to present their work and engage in an interview. This will be conducted online, and specific interview times will be provided by the foundation.
5. Results Notification: Candidates will receive an email regarding the selection outcome by the end of November.

Selection Committee

Members of the selection committee include:

• - Chiharu Shiota: Contemporary artist
• - Chiaki Hayashi: CEO of Q0 Corporation, co-founder of Loftwork
• - Meruro Washida: Director of Kanazawa 21st Century Museum

Current Scholarship Recipients

As of June 1, 2025, nine current students are receiving support from the Recruit Art Scholarship. A group exhibition titled "Return Observation" is scheduled for August 18 to September 28, 2025, at the Recruit headquarters in Kudanshita.

About the Recruit Foundation

Established in 1976, the Recruit Foundation, officially known as the Recruit Memorial Foundation, was created to foster leadership and intellectual curiosity among youth who are eager to contribute to society. They have supported over 700 scholarship recipients across various fields, including arts, sports, and academia. For 2025, 22 scholarship recipients were selected for the 54th cohort.

To learn more about the Recruit Foundation, visit their website at Recruit Foundation.