The Global Citizen Fellowship is an English-language leadership program run by the Japan ICU Foundation (JICUF) since 2025.
Each cohort of 12 undergraduates from International Christian University (ICU) and other universities in Japan spends nine months on coaching, two retreats in Japan, a 2.5-week program in New York and a closing symposium in Tokyo.
Benefits & funding
- JICUF covers participation costs: retreats in Japan, coaching, group sessions, and New York travel, lodging, local transport and most lunches.
- Fellows pay for breakfast and most dinners in New York; JICUF suggests bringing at least US$650.
- Individual coaching, online team sessions and peer calls throughout.
- A JICUF certificate on completion.
Eligibility
- Undergraduates enrolled as degree-seeking students at a university in Japan for the whole April–December period; no study abroad, leave of absence or graduation during it.
- Open to ICU and other universities in Japan; non-Japanese students may apply but must be able to travel to the United States.
- Enough English to take part throughout; fluency is not required.
- Commitment to every part of the fellowship.
Application process
- 1Submit the application form, written in English, during the window (2026 cycle: 1 December 2025 – 15 January 2026, 23:59 JST).
- 2Shortlisted applicants are interviewed in English.
- 3Results by the end of February.
Program timeline
Online info session
4 Dec 2025
Application deadline
15 Jan 2026
Results
End of Feb 2026
Program starts
4 Apr 2026
Program ends
5 Dec 2026