The Sasakawa Japanese Studies Postgraduate (PhD) Studentship Programme 2026/27

This is a one-year studentship with the value of £15,000. Applications can be made each year for three years. Be aware that the Foundation cannot make a three-year commitment to any one PhD candidate at the outset.

The studentships support study of PhD programmes only at the University of Bristol.

You can apply if you: 

• are a PhD applicant/candidate pursuing any aspect of Japanese studies
  • the primary focus of the thesis needs to be on Japan
• are studying an Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences programme
• have stated, in your PhD online application form, that you intend to apply for the Sasakawa funding.

The studentship is open to any nationality, including Japanese. 

You do not need to have previously studied the Japanese language at any level.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates in widening participation groups, such as those who:

• come from low-income backgrounds
• have previously studied at a non-Russell group university
• come from a Black, Asian, or minority ethnic background
• are Trans or non-binary
• are disabled.

We cannot consider applications from:

• students already currently enrolled on a PhD course
• MPhil students wishing to upgrade to PhD.

For other possible sources of funding, visit the Student Finances webpages.

For any questions, contact Dr Benedetta Lomi at the Department of Religion and Theology.

Email: b.lomi@bristol.ac.uk.

To be considered for this scheme, you should submit your PhD application by January 31 2026.

Academic advisors should send their nomination to Benedetta Lomi by March 2 2026.

Funding amounts

PhD Scholarships will usually include:

• tuition fees
• a maintenance grant (stipend) in line with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fee.

Depending on satisfactory progress, the stipend rates for 2026/27 are at least:

• £20,780 for four years (full-time)
• eight years pro rata (part-time).

Each student will also receive £2,100 per annum to spend on associated research costs.

Funding is available only to new students starting their PhD research in September 2026.