Minerva University, with support from The Nippon Foundation, offers full scholarships for NPO/NGO professionals for its "World Wise Executive Leadership Program"

Minerva University (USA - San Francisco) is offering six full scholarship spots for individuals in the non-profit sector (NPO/NGOs) for its global leadership development program, the "World Wise Executive Leadership Program," conducted with support from The Nippon Foundation.

The "World Wise Executive Leadership Program" is a practical leadership education program targeting managers and practitioners in Asia who are working to solve social issues. Through case discussions and exercises, it provides opportunities to learn about collaboration, decision-making, consensus-building, and communication in multicultural environments. It is conducted in a hybrid format combining online (live) and in-person elements, starting with a kickoff in Tokyo, followed by six months of online classes, and culminating in a one-week in-person accelerator in San Francisco. Furthermore, to prepare for English-language discussion-based classes and practical application, an intensive preparatory program called the "English Boot Camp" will be offered to interested participants.

The background of this program and the leadership qualities currently in demand are also featured in a NewsPicks article titled "Hone Your 'Way of Life' Over Skills: 'New Education' that Overturns Japan's Leader Image," highlighting it as a learning opportunity that cultivates the ability to pose one's own questions and make decisions within diverse values, beyond mere knowledge and skill acquisition.

Program Overview Program Period: June 2026 - March 2027 (Planned) Target Audience: Managers and practitioners addressing social issues Eligibility: Approximately 10 years of management experience, business-level English proficiency, residency in Asia, Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Course Fee: $10,000 **※Significant discounts are applied for the first cohort of students.** * Travel expenses and some meal costs are not included. The optional English Boot Camp incurs separate fees. Application Method: For details, please check the Minerva University application guide page. Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

Regarding Scholarships for the NPO/NGO Sector

With the support of The Nippon Foundation, this program offers a scholarship framework specifically for individuals working in the non-profit sector (NPOs/NGOs, etc.). This scholarship aims to support the learning of those engaged in creating social impact and expand opportunities for practical application in the field.

Scholarship Details

Eligible Candidates: Individuals working full-time in the non-profit sector (NPOs/NGOs, etc.) Number of Recipients: 6 Support Details: Full course fee (equivalent to $10,000) Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Travel expenses and some meal costs are not included. The optional English Boot Camp incurs separate fees. Eligibility: Approximately 10 years of management experience, business-level English proficiency, residency in Asia, Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Application Method: For details, please check the Minerva University application guide page. Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

Demo Lecture and Information Session Overview

Free online demo lectures and information sessions will be held for those interested in this program.

Demo Lecture Information *Each session will cover the same content.

Strategic Decision Making—Addressing Cognitive Bias This demo lecture focuses on the impact of cognitive bias on decision-making, introducing practical perspectives for making more appropriate judgments in complex situations and the "WRAP" framework. This provides a glimpse into the interactive and practical learning emphasized in this program. Lecturer: Prof. Geneva Stein (Director of Graduate Programs) Format: Online - Language: English Schedule:

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 20:00-21:00 (JST) Registration Link

Thursday, April 30, 2026, 20:00-21:00 (JST) Registration Link

Program Overview Information Session *Each session will cover the same content.

World Wise Executive Leadership Overview This information session will provide an overview of Minerva University's "World Wise Executive Leadership Program," including program details, curriculum, and application methods. We will also answer questions from prospective participants. Format: Online - Language: English (Q&A in Japanese available) Schedule:

Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10:00-11:00 (JST) Registration Link

Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 20:00-21:00 (JST) Registration Link

Contact Information for Inquiries Regarding This Program and Scholarships

Minerva University World Wise Executive Leadership Program Contact: Tomoko Lynch Mail: tlynch@minerva.edu

About The Nippon Foundation

Pain, Hope, Future, Together.

Founded in 1962, The Nippon Foundation is Japan's largest foundation. Since its establishment, it has promoted activities in a wide range of fields, transcending race and borders, including support for children, people with disabilities, disaster relief, maritime affairs, and humanitarian aid, funded by grants from boat race revenues.

About Minerva University

Minerva University is a global higher education institution that cultivates the next generation of leaders through an innovative educational model based on cognitive science. Headquartered in San Francisco, USA, it offers educational programs across four continents. The undergraduate program systematically develops critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and global collaboration skills, based on a discussion-oriented active learning approach. Students deepen their learning in diverse cultural, social, and industrial settings through a global rotation program visiting cities worldwide. Students and alumni from over 100 countries are active in high-impact social entrepreneurship and public service, and many pursue graduate studies at universities such as Oxford, Harvard, and Stanford. Minerva University also fosters recipients of internationally recognized scholarships, including the Rhodes Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholarship, and Knight-Hennessy Scholarship. Additionally, it offers graduate and executive education programs for working professionals, focusing on leadership development directly applicable to their careers. Minerva University has been ranked the #1 "Most Innovative University" by the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) for four consecutive years.

Keywords: Minerva University, Adult Education, University, Leadership, Corporate Training, Training, Intercultural Understanding, Liberal Arts, Global Talent, Reskilling