About the Scholarship

The Swadesh DeRoy Scholarship supports the next generation of journalists by offering grants to students who want to pursue a career in public interest journalism. The scholarship is offered by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), which every year makes up to three awards of 300,000 yen each to help aspiring journalists pay for the costs of education.

Awards are decided based upon the students' accomplishments (as seen in their submitted work samples), plans for using the award money to further their education and commitment to journalism that serves the public interest by shining a light on important issues of the day.

Who Can Apply

Any current student in Japan who is considering a career in journalism, or any Japanese student enrolled in an overseas journalism program, is invited to apply. The scholarship is open to aspiring journalists of all nationalities and backgrounds and in any journalistic medium, including print, photos, video and digital media. High school, university and graduate-level students are all welcome.

About Swadesh DeRoy

The Scholarship honors a respected former FCCJ member who challenged barriers and devoted his career to journalism. Born in Bengal during British colonial rule, Swadesh DeRoy worked for decades as an Indian journalist in Japan, leading the FCCJ as president from 1979–1980. When DeRoy passed away in 2001, members of the FCCJ recognized his generous contributions by naming the scholarship in his honor.

The Swadesh DeRoy Scholarship seeks to promote the values of the FCCJ and Swadesh DeRoy by passing the mission of journalism to the next generation. The scholarship is intended to help students further their education in journalism and should be used for educational purposes, such as:

  • University or graduate-school tuition
  • Language courses
  • Living expenses during an internship
  • Purchase of cameras or equipment for educational purposes

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit:

  • A completed application form
  • A resume
  • A copy of their student photo ID
  • A statement explaining how they would use the scholarship money
  • A sample of an original work of journalism done by the applicant

The work sample must be on a timely topic of public interest in one of the following formats:

1. Written Article (maximum 1,500 words, in English)

The article can be published or unpublished, but it must be the sole work of the applicant. Entries from non-native English speakers do not need to be grammatically perfect, and applicants are allowed to consult with native speakers about grammar. However, the reporting and writing must be original work. For published pieces, please include a copy of what the applicant wrote prior to editing. Heavily rewritten pieces should not be submitted. Please include photographs or other images and graphics used with the piece.

2. Photo Essay (at least ten 8×10 photos, color or black-and-white)

The photos can be published or unpublished. They must have captions, and the applicant must also submit a 200–250 word written introduction about what the photos are meant to convey as journalistic work. Students may also submit a contact sheet or a group of digital photo thumbnails in addition to the photos. Entries may be submitted as printed photographs or as digital files via email or online sharing services such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, Box or Google Drive.

3. Video Package (up to 10 minutes)

Video contributions must be the sole work of the applicant, though cited assistance from outside sources is permitted. The audio track must be in English or include subtitles. Submissions can be delivered on a drive or via online sharing services such as Vimeo, WeTransfer, Dropbox, Box or Google Drive.

4. Digital Submission

A digital submission that includes one of the above or an equivalent level of work. The work can be on a website or blog, which we can access using a URL. Online articles that include innovative use of graphics, data analytics or embedded images are also welcome. However, you must be able to demonstrate that the work is original and done entirely by the applicant.

Deadline & Announcement

Deadline for submissions: September of every year

The winners will be announced in the autumn, and the awards presented at a dinner in their honor to be held at the FCCJ in December or January. Winners will also receive a one-year honorary membership to the FCCJ.

Apply Now

 

Download the Application Form (PDF)

 

Contact

Scholarship Committee
c/o Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan
Marunouchi Nijubashi Building 5F
3-2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005

Email: membership@fccj.or.jp
Tel: 03-3211-3161

Scholarship Committee Chair: Martin Fackler

Past Recipients

2025

  • Pen Award: Marikojiei Tadokoro, University of Tsukuba
  • Photo Award: Ryota Morita, Kansai Gaidai University
  • Video Award: Tahina Rakotonanahary, Temple University, Japan Campus

2024

  • Pen Award: Yewon Chang, University of Tokyo
  • Photo Award: Meiyu Guo, Temple University

2023

  • Pen Award: Eru Ishikawa, Keio University
  • Photo Award: Song Linxiao, Waseda University