• Japanese language study is not a prerequisite.
• Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad.
• Their study in Japan must last for at least 3 months and must earn credit that will transfer to their home campus in the US.
• Bridging Scholarship recipients receive a stipend of $2,500 (for students on semester-long programs) or $4,000 (for students on academic year programs).
• Students studying in Japan on summer programs are not eligible to apply.

• freshman
• sophomore
• junior
• senior

• US Citizen

Please submit the following to the AATJ office:

1. An application form can be downloaded from this website (see below). A printed application can be requested from the AATJ office by phone, fax, or e-mail.
2. A short essay (up to 500 words) introducing yourself, explaining your interest in study in Japan, and outlining what you hope to achieve by participating in a study abroad program (three copies).
3. An official transcript from your college or university.
4. A letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and is knowledgeable about your abilities and potential, preferably a professor or instructor in your major field. (This may either be submitted together with the application or mailed separately to the AATJ 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. 

PLEASE NOTE: Your application must be received by the deadline.  

Each Bridging Scholarship recipient will be expected to send a brief report about his or her study in Japan to the AATJ office within 90 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.

For further information on the Bridging Scholarships or the application procedure, please contact Susan Schmidt, Executive Director of the Bridging Project Clearinghouse, at the AATJ office: aatj@aatj.org

Bridging Project Clearinghouse
American Association of Teachers of Japanese
Campus Box 366
1424 Broadway
University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0366
Phone: 303-492-5487 Fax:303-492-5856
E-mail: aatj@aatj.org
Web: www.aatj.org