This Friday, the Japan ICU Foundation will open applications for the United States Scholars Initiative (USSI) and the Study Abroad Scholarship (SAS). Both scholarships are part of our new Global Scholarships program, which also includes the Syrian Scholars Initiative and the Exchange Student Scholarship for incoming exchange students.

USSI is a merit-based undergraduate scholarship for US citizens to attend ICU. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition for the four years of study, and will be awarded to two students per year. Details about USSI can be found here. SAS is a need-based scholarship for ICU undergraduate students aiming to study abroad on an outgoing exchange program. The $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to one student annually. Details about SAS can be found here.

The United States Scholars Initiative aims to increase the number of degree-seeking international undergraduate students at ICU. As of May 1, 2017, 4.5% of ICU’s undergraduate population was international, the large majority exchange students studying at ICU for one year or less. In contrast, approximately 50% of ICU’s graduate student population is international and most are degree-seeking (source). As we will support two new undergraduate students each year from 2018, by 2021, we aim to annually support a total of eight degree-seeking undergraduate students through USSI. We are confident that the presence of the USSI scholars will make a positive impact on the international makeup of the ICU student body.

The main objective of the Study Abroad Scholarship is to encourage and enable ICU students with financial need to pursue their dream of studying abroad. In AY2016-17, ICU sent 124 students on outgoing international exchange programs. In addition, 223 ICU students participated in the Study English Abroad summer program, 49 in short term study abroad programs and 36 in international service learning programs (source). While it is wonderful that so many ICU students participate in international programs, there are many ICU students who simply cannot afford the additional expenses of studying abroad. SAS is aimed towards those students with financial need.

The application to USSI is open from September 1 to December 1, 2017, and the application to SAS is open from September 1 to October 15, 2017. We look forward to sharing information about the results once they are announced!