The Bridging Scholarship 2026 Open

The Bridging Scholarship 2026 is a funding program for U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in Japan on a credit-bearing semester or academic-year program. It provides stipends to cover living costs plus funds to support tuition, airfare, and housing, with a cohort experience focused on global citizenship and U.S.–Japan engagement. The scholarship is designed to close financial gaps and supports a diverse range of majors across multiple institutions.

Cash stipends and additional funds to cover study abroad costs; access to cohort programming and network opportunities.

Open to U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled at a U.S. college or university before and during the study-abroad period; all majors are eligible; no Japanese language background required; must participate in a semester (minimum 3 months) or academic-year program in Japan; credits must be transferable to the home institution.

Submit the online Bridging Scholarship application via the Bridging Foundation portal when the cycle opens (accelerated wording indicates the next cycle opens in spring 2026).