Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and be actively involved in serving their community as demonstrated by their involvement in community, extra-curricular activities, or work experience.

Criteria for awarding the Kyoto Scholarship go beyond academic performance and GPA – through these scholarships, the Kyoto Symposium Organization seeks to recognize students who are actively pursuing the betterment of society.

Kyoto Prize Scholarship applicants should:
• Be graduating seniors at San Diego County public, private, or parochial high schools
• Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year university
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Be actively involved in serving their community

The Kyoto Symposium Organization partners with the San Diego Foundation (for the U.S.) and the Fundacion Internacional de la Comunidad (for Mexico) to select and award it’s scholarships.

Please visit the SDF and FIC websites to apply.

For the U.S., application deadline is January 7th, 2025.

For Mexico, application deadline is December 6th, 2024 at 5pm.

In the U.S. three $10,000 scholarships are awarded with up to 10 additional scholarships given to Finalists and Semi-Finalists ranging from $500 to $1,000.

In Mexico, three students are awarded 100,000 pesos (~$5,000) each for their college education.

The Kyoto Scholarships are awarded annually each Spring for college-bound high school seniors. The San Diego Foundation’s common application portal opens in early November.

A Kyoto Symposium Organization representative will notify the 9 Finalists by end of January for the interview phase of the application process.

If you have not been selected, the San Diego Foundation will notify you separately.

Interviews take place in early February with final selections made by mid February.

Winners of the $10,000 scholarship will be notified by mid February.

For the U.S., 9 Finalists will selected for the interview process. Students will be notified by end of January whether they’ve moved onto this phase.

Interviews are 30 minutes in length and done through Zoom. Students will be asked questions by 3 panelists pertaining to their application, field of study, future goals/endeavors and connection to the current Kyoto Prize Laureate and the Inamori Foundation.

Students will need to provide the following before their interviews. It is strongly suggested that these documents be prepared in advance:

Official/unofficial transcript reflecting all 4 years of high school

At least one letter of recommendation by a teacher, counselor, coach and/or advisor

A high resolution head-shot photo

Students wishing to apply for the Kyoto Scholarship will be required to submit an essay on one of the Kyoto Prize Laureates in addition to the Common Application questions.

Common Application Essay Questions:

1) If you have decided on your educational and career goals, describe them and explain how your interest in these goals developed. If you have not yet decided on your educational and career goals, describe some possible goals and explain how you might explore and decide on them. (Maximum words 250)

2) Please answer one of the two essay prompts below.

1. Explain how an important personal accomplishment, challenge, or experience has impacted
your life. What did you learn and how will you apply this lesson in the classroom or community?
OR
2. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced
others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. (Maximum words 500)

Kyoto Prize Essay Question:

3) Select ONE of the current Kyoto Prize Laureates. Describe what inspires you most about his/her life, achievements, work and contributions to society. (Maximum words 500)

Please Note:

• All three essay questions are required to complete the Kyoto Scholarship application.

• Finalists will be required to provide their most recent unofficial school transcript AND a reference letter (from a teacher, counselor, adviser, or coach) PRIOR to their interview. Students selected for an interview will be notified by the end of January.

Global entrepreneur and humanitarian, Dr. Kazuo Inamori created the Kyoto Prize in 1984, an international award presented by the Inamori Foundation each November to recognize individuals and groups worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to the betterment of the global community and humankind. The Foundation’s activities have their spiritual basis in the founder’s lifelong belief that humankind’s future can be assured only when there’s a balance between our scientific development and our spiritual depth.

To learn more visit: https://www.kyotoprize.org/en/.