Global Engagement

As part of the University of Osaka Future Fund’s “Urquidi–Yukawa Memorial Scholarship,” this program is jointly administered by the Graduate School of Economics and the Graduate School of International Public Policy at the University of Osaka. The program promotes and supports research study at El Colegio de México, focusing on the social sciences, particularly the economies and politics of Mexico and other Latin American countries. Through this initiative, the program aims to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the University of Osaka and Mexico, and to contribute to the development of globally minded individuals capable of independently conducting creative and internationally oriented research activities.

Applicants must be Japanese nationals who are enrolled, throughout the entire period of study abroad, in either OSIPP or the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Osaka (excluding students on leave of absence and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Research Fellows). Applicants must demonstrate excellent character and academic performance, strong research motivation, sufficient language proficiency, integrity, and good health, and must meet the following conditions:

1. In principle, applicants must undertake research study at El Colegio de México for a period of six to twelve months.
2. Applicants must continuously engage in research activities in social sciences, with a focus on the economies and politics of Mexico and other Latin American countries.
3. The research objectives must be clearly defined, and the proposed study abroad must be expected to produce meaningful academic outcomes. (Language study programs are not eligible.)
4. Applicants must obtain approval from their academic supervisor at the University of Osaka regarding the proposed research study abroad.
5. Prior to departure, applicants must enroll in overseas travel accident insurance (with coverage for medical treatment and rescue expenses of at least JPY 30 million, including personal liability coverage). In addition, students must enroll in the Overseas Student Safety Management Assistance (OSSMA) program.
6. Applicants must not have previously received this scholarship.
7. Applicants must not be receiving financial support from any other scholarship organization.

Scholarship funding will be provided to support expenses related to research abroad. The amount will be determined through an internal selection process and calculated based on the duration of study, up to a maximum of JPY 1,400,000 per year. The scholarship will be provided as follows:

・Travel Grant (one-time payment): JPY 200,000
・Monthly Stipend: JPY 100,000

Applicants must submit documents (1) through (7) listed below to the Academic Affairs Section of their respective graduate school by the application deadline.

1. Application Form (to be completed in English or Spanish)
2. Statement of Purpose (Carta de motivos) addressed to the Director of the desired center, written in Spanish and accompanied by a Japanese translation. Not required for applicants to the Research Stay program.
3. Research Proposal (in English or Spanish with a Japanese translation; 18–24 pt line spacing; maximum of five pages including references). Applicants to the Student Exchange Program may submit the research proposal in Japanese.
4. Official Academic Transcript from the graduate school.
5. Two Letters of Recommendation from faculty members (to be written in English).
6. Copy of Proof of Language Proficiency (one of the following: TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, DELE, or the Spanish Proficiency Test [Seiken]). Applicants to the Student Exchange Program must demonstrate Spanish proficiency at the DELE C1 level or equivalent.
7. Color Copy of Passport (name and photo page)

The selection process consists of two stages. The first stage is a document screening. The second stage is an interview conducted by the Urquidi–Yukawa Memorial Scholarship Management Committee, composed of faculty members from OSIPP and the Graduate School of Economics.

Applicants will be notified of the selection results through the academic affairs office of their respective department. Once the scholarship is awarded, any changes to the study period or research plan must be reported immediately for approval. Please note that significant changes may be subject to a re-evaluation of the selection. Final acceptance is subject to the independent screening process of El Colegio de México. Please be aware that selected candidates may still be denied admission based on their internal review.
For further details, please visit the official website:http://oia.colmex.mx/index.php/exchange-students/exchange-mechanisms

(1) In the case of a Research stay, you can focus on your research while receiving advice from a faculty member* whose research field is close to your own; however, you cannot earn credits. You are permitted to audit classes. Additionally, the duration of your stay can be set regardless of the start of the academic semester. The application documents for a Research stay are as follows:

1. A letter certifying that you will have scholarship support during your study abroad period (to be prepared by the university).
2. Application form (the one submitted for this scholarship application).
3. Research proposal in English or Spanish (the one submitted for this scholarship application).
4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (in English or Spanish)）
5. Letters of recommendation from two faculty members (those submitted for this scholarship application).

(2) In the case of a Student exchange program, you must register for at least 3 courses per semester at your affiliated Center. According to the academic calendar, Fall Semester classes begin in early August and final exams are scheduled to end between early and mid-December; Spring Semester classes begin in mid-January and final exams are scheduled to end in late May. Exchange students must select their preferred Center from the following seven Centers (Graduate Schools).

• Center for Economic Studies (CEE)
• Center for Historical Studies (CEH)
• Center for International Studies (CEI)
• Center for Sociological Studies (CES)
• Center for Studies of Asia and Africa (CEAA)
• Center for Linguistic and Literary Studies (CELL)
• Center for Demographic, Urban and Environmental Studies (CEDUA)

Many faculty members specializing in Economics belong to CEE or CEDUA, while many specializing in Political Science belong to CEI or CEDUA.
The application documents for the Student Exchange Program are as follows:

1. A letter certifying scholarship support during the study abroad period (to be prepared by the university).
2. Application form (the one submitted for this scholarship application).
3. Statement of purpose in Spanish (Carta de motivos) addressed to the Director of the preferred Center (the one submitted for this scholarship application).
4. Academic transcript from your current graduate school in English (a document specifying your GPA will be prepared by the university).
5. Letters of recommendation from two faculty members (those submitted for this scholarship application).
6. Spanish language proficiency certificate (DELE C1 or higher) or an official document from the University of Osaka certifying an equivalent level of Spanish proficiency.

After submitting the application documents for the Research Stay or Student Exchange Program to (link), the application will be reviewed by the faculty council of the desired center within approximately one month. Applicants will be notified of the admission decision by email. Upon receiving the notification, please inform the Academic Affairs Section of your graduate school of the result as soon as possible.

After monthly confirmation of enrollment, the scholarship stipend will be transferred to the recipient’s designated bank account in Japan under the recipient’s name. The one-time travel grant will be added to the first payment only. Detailed procedures and required documents related to the receipt of the scholarship will be communicated separately to selected recipients.

Within one month of returning to Japan, scholarship recipients must submit the following documents/files to the Academic Affairs Office of their respective department:

1. Research Report: (For “Research Stay” participants, this must be signed by your host faculty member at El Colegio de México).
2. Study Abroad Reflection (Essay): Between 400 and 800 characters/words.
3. Photos: Approximately three digital photos documenting your stay.
   Note on Publication: The submitted Study Abroad Reflections and Photos will be published on the official website of the University of Osaka Future Fund: Urquidi-Yukawa Memorial Scholarship, along with the recipient’s full name.
4. If the recipient is subject to disciplinary action at the host institution or is otherwise deemed unsuitable to continue the study abroad program.

If a recipient falls under any of the following circumstances, the scholarship may be suspended or terminated:

1. If any false information is found in the application documents;
2. If the recipient no longer meets the eligibility requirements set forth in these guidelines;
3. If the recipient fails to comply with the conditions communicated at the time of the scholarship award;
4. If the recipient is subject to disciplinary action at the host institution or is otherwise deemed unsuitable to continue the study abroad program.