The Gen Foundation Scholarships

Grants of between £500 - £5,000 are awarded to postgraduate students studying and/or researching subjects within the field of natural sciences. Applications from students engaged with food sciences and food technology are especially encouraged. 

Although the Gen Foundation is focused on promoting links between the UK and Japan, applicants do not need to have birth links or educational links to Japan in order to apply. 

The Gen Foundation has been registered with the UK's Charity Commission since the 14th August 1998. Since then, it has worked to further its aim of enhancing the importance of cross-culture links between Japan and global society. 

Over the last twenty five years, the Foundation has supported over 100 people studying or researching within the areas of natural sciences, with a focus on food sciences and technology. 

Grants from the Foundation are granted once to successful candidates and are non-renewable. 

Grant amounts awarded are variable, based on the merit of individual applications and is at the sole discretion of Gen Foundation Trustees. In the past grands have been awarded from £500 through to £5,000. However, funding requested should be evidence based and detail on how it will be spent is expected to form part of an application. 

Once an applicant has been notified that they are successful, grants are paid in pounds sterling via a cheque that is posted to the applicant. 

In order to apply for funding from the Gen Foundation, applicants are required to include the following documents: 

• A fully complete application form 
  • These are downloadable from the Foundation's website here
  • Typed applications only
  • English only
• A recently taken photograph of the applicant
  • Passport sized
• A current CV
  • English only
• Two original and signed letters of reference
  • These can be in English OR Japanese
  • Typed only
  • Cannot be scanned, photocopied or emailed
• Evidence of acceptance by Queen Margaret University
  • Conditional offer letters are acceptable
  • Photocopied OR original

Once these documents have been compiled, they should be posted all together to: 

• The Administrator
  The Gen Foundation
  33 Cornhill
  London
  EC3V 3ND
  United Kingdom

Please be aware that the Gen Foundation are unable to return any documentation once it has been submitted and posted to them. 

In order to be eligible for funding from the Gen Foundation, applicants: 

• Are required to study and/or research the natural sciences
• Should already hold a bachelors degree of good standing

Grants are not awarded for the following purposes:

• Undergraduate study
• Short courses and training
• Conferences
• Seminar delivery
• Thesis writing

Gen Foundation Trustees will meet in March and April 2023 to shortlist applicants. Interviews will be carried out in July 2023 with successful applicants notified by September 2023.