NELSON RANCH SCHOLARSHIP
A full undergraduate scholarship for U.S. students to study at International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Japan.
The 2027 application opens September 1, 2026.
What is the Nelson Ranch Scholarship
Established in 2023 through the generosity of a private donor, the Nelson Ranch Scholarship provides a comprehensive undergraduate scholarship for U.S. students to pursue an undergraduate degree at International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, Japan. The scholarship reflects ICU’s longstanding relationship with the United States and its Christian heritage by supporting outstanding students who demonstrate financial need and desire to use their education to make a positive contribution to society.
The scholarship provides the following:
Paid directly to ICU
Guaranteed on-campus housing
Support for day-to-day living costs
Airfare to and from Japan provided at the beginning and end of the program.
The scholarship covers up to four years of study for students entering ICU as first-year students and up to three years for students entering as second-year transfer students. Recipients must remain in good academic standing throughout their studies.
Please Note: Recipients of the Nelson Ranch Scholarship may not simultaneously receive other scholarships from ICU, including the ICU Peace Bell Scholarship and the ICU High Endeavor Scholarship.
ABOUT JICUF AND ICU
The Japan ICU Foundation (JICUF) is an educational non-profit organization based in New York City. Founded in 1949 as a project to promote democracy and human rights in post-war Japan, JICUF’s first project was the establishment of ICU itself. Today, our mission is to nurture global citizens who contribute to the well-being of humanity. ICU remains JICUF’s closest partner, but JICUF is an independent organization with its own funding, staff and board of trustees.
ICU is a private liberal arts university located in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded shortly after World War II, on the principles of peace, democracy, reconciliation, human rights, and international cooperation. As Japan’s first liberal arts university, ICU seeks to cultivate responsible global citizens through its international, Christian, and academic missions.
From its founding, ICU’s Christian identity has been one of openness rather than exclusion. Supported by Protestant churches in Japan and the United States, the university was established as an ecumenical institution that welcomes students of all faiths and those with no religious affiliation.
Students begin with a broad liberal arts curriculum before selecting a major at the end of their second year, allowing them to explore a wide range of academic disciplines before specializing. Today, ICU offers more than 30 majors spanning the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
To learn more about ICU’s academic programs, student life, and campus, please visit the ICU website: https://www.icu.ac.jp/en/.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must:
- Be a US citizen residing outside of Japan (Dual U.S. citizens are eligible.)
- Apply for and be admitted to ICU through the English Language Based Admission (1st Application Period) for September entry.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Reflect on how the Christian faith has shaped their lives.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
HOW TO APPLY
Step 1: Submit the Scholarship Application
The online application will open on September 1, 2026. Applicants will submit all required materials through the online application portal.
Step 2: Application Review
JICUF will review all applications and select a group of finalists.
Step 3: Apply to ICU
Finalists must submit an application for admission to ICU during the first English Language Based Admissions application period (January 6–14, 2027). Failure to apply to ICU during this period will remove the applicant from scholarship consideration.
The ICU application fee (¥30,000) will be waived for all finalists. Instructions for receiving the fee waiver will be provided to finalists.
Step 4: Notification of Results
JICUF will notify scholarship recipients in February 2027, after ICU announces their admissions decisions. Please note again that JICUF and ICU are independent institutions and JICUF plays no part in ICU’s admissions process.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (Prepare in Advance)
SHORT ESSAYS
Essay 1: Your Journey and Values (350 words max.)
Describe how your personal experiences, values, and faith have shaped who you are today. If the Christian faith has played an important role in your life, reflect on how it has influenced your sense of purpose, relationships, or understanding of service to others.
Essay 2: Why ICU? (350 words max.)
ICU was founded on principles of internationalism, peace, democracy, reconciliation, and respect for human dignity. What aspects of ICU’s mission and approach to liberal arts education resonate most strongly with you? Why do you believe ICU is the right place for your undergraduate education?
Essay 3: Looking Ahead (350 words max.)
How do you hope to use your education at ICU after graduation? Describe the kind of contribution you hope to make to your community, the United States, or the broader world, and how studying at ICU will help prepare you for that future.
FINANCIAL NEED
- Explanation of Financial Need (250 words max.)
- 2024 and 2025 IRS Form 1040 Federal Income Tax Returns (including all schedules) for the applicant (if applicable) and the applicant’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
- 2024 and 2025 Form W-2 for the applicant (if applicable) and the applicant’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
- Official Secondary School Transcript(s) covering at least the previous three academic years.
- Standardized test results (SAT, ACT with Writing, or International Baccalaureate Diploma)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Applicants who have graduated (or will graduate) from a U.S. high school but have not spent the previous six consecutive years studying at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. Please contact us at information@jicuf.org for additional information.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)