Conservatoire de Paris - Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship

Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship (SYLFF) at the Paris Conservatoire

A scholarship is a grant linked to your own project. You will receive funding of up to 3 years to carry out a project whilst studying at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris (CNSMDP). The money may cover tuition fees, living costs or travel expenses and is intended to support your own project, such as a research project, an internship, an exchange programme or the creation of a new work. The Conservatoire’s Steering Committee and the Tokyo Foundation determine the exact amount on a case-by-case basis, so it is not published in advance. Each partner institution allocates a total annual amount of up to 50,000 US dollars (approximately 46,000 euros) amongst all its scholarship holders. The Nippon Foundation launched the programme in 1987; the Tokyo Foundation administers it, and the Paris Conservatoire has been a partner since 1988.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris.
• Level: You are enrolled on a Master’s or PhD programme.
• Field: All subjects at the conservatoire, including music, dance and sound engineering.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.
• Merit: You have an outstanding academic record and demonstrate leadership potential, which means you are able to drive positive change at local, national or international level. Award of the scholarship is not conditional on financial need.
• Project focus: Ideally, your project should address a social issue or bring together several disciplines.

How to apply

Applications are submitted internally at the conservatoire as soon as its steering committee publishes the annual call for applications. The committee reviews the applications and shortlists candidates on the basis of their academic achievements and leadership potential. The final decision is made by the Tokyo Foundation.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very limited. You must already be enrolled on a Master’s or PhD programme at this particular institution in Paris, which means that only a small number of applicants are competing for the scholarship. If you are enrolled there and can demonstrate both outstanding academic achievement and a clear leadership approach in your project, your chances are good. The institution as a whole has a fixed annual budget, so a well-justified project that aligns with the ‘social change’ focus will stand out.