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Apply To Natsu Camp
Who Can Apply
Natsu Camp 2027 is open to students worldwide who:
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are 16–19 years old as of August 2, 2027;
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are currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent secondary program, or have recently graduated and are taking a gap year;
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and are able to participate in the full program, including the required online pre-residential portion.
No particular academic specialization or prior experience with design thinking, social innovation, or any of the subjects covered in the program is required.
Before You Apply
Please review the program carefully before submitting an application.
Natsu Camp is an intensive learning and residential experience, not primarily a tourism or sightseeing program. Students should be prepared to participate actively in classroom learning, Impact Lab, fieldwork, community engagement, and shared residential life alongside creative, cultural, and social activities.
Before applying, students and families should also:
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review the program dates, format, fee, and travel requirements;
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make sure the student can participate in both the online and residential portions;
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consider whether Natsu Camp is a good fit for the student’s interests and expectations;
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discuss how the program will be funded;
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and understand that, if admitted, a non-refundable deposit will be required within 48 hours to secure the student’s place.
How To Apply
A complete application includes:
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Basic applicant information
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A short “Why Natsu Camp?” written response
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A one-minute video response
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A 20-minute live conversation (if requested)
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Financial verification and a short scholarship essay (if applying for the need-based NATSU Global Scholarship)
Written Response: In 300 words or fewer, tell us why you want to attend Natsu Camp 2027. Be specific about how the program connects to your own interests, experiences, or questions, and what you hope to contribute to and gain from the experience. The ideas and expression should be your own. AI tools may be used for minor editing or proofreading, but not to generate the substance of your response.
One-minute video response: Applicants will respond to a short prompt provided in the application.
Imagine that you have one hour at Natsu Camp to teach your classmates about something you’re passionate about. What would your class be about, and how would you get your classmates excited to learn with you? For your video, tell us about your idea and how you would make it an engaging experience for everyone in the class. You can choose anything you’re genuinely curious or passionate about: a skill, hobby, idea, subject, experience, or something you’ve always wanted to share with others. We’re especially interested in seeing what excites you and how you would bring your classmates into the experience. You can simply talk about your idea, or you can get creative and show us a little taste of what your class would be like. Please keep your video to approximately 1 minute.
Live Conversation (if requested): If invited, applicants will take part in a short, informal 20-minute conversation with one or two mentors or organizing team members. It gives us a chance to get to know the applicant beyond their application, while giving applicants an opportunity to gauge fit and ask questions. We value authenticity over polished or rehearsed answers, so no special preparation is required. Applicants are encouraged to come as themselves and speak openly about what genuinely interests them.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants applying in the Priority Round can typically expect to receive a decision within 1 to 2 weeks of submitting a complete application. Applications requesting need-based financial assistance usually require additional review time.
During the Regular Round, when fewer places may remain available, the review process may take up to 4 weeks. Please note that all NATSU Global scholarship applications must be submitted during the Priority Round. Scholarship requests submitted after the Priority Round cannot be considered.
Natsu Camp maintains a deliberately small cohort based on residential and program capacity. We admit only around two dozen students each year. Admissions may therefore close before the final deadline once all available places have been filled, and qualified applicants may be placed on a waitlist. Any early closure will be announced on this page.
Students who feel that Natsu Camp is a strong fit are encouraged to apply early, once they are ready to submit a complete application.
Applying for Need-Based Scholarship
The NATSU Global Scholarship is our need-based scholarship for applicants worldwide and provides partial to full program fee waivers.
Applicants seeking this scholarship must apply by the December 15, 2026 Financial Support Deadline and additionally submit:
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Basic household and financial information
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Supporting financial documents
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A short scholarship essay: In 300 words or less, tell us about something you used to believe or assume that you no longer see the same way. What happened, and what changed in how you think about it? We’re interested in the specific experience behind your answer, not a “right” conclusion. Your response may also serve as a starting point for discussion during the interview!
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A 20-minute live interview (required for need-based scholarship applicants)
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must submit the household’s most recent complete income tax return, tax assessment, or equivalent government-issued income record.
If a standard tax or income document is not available in the applicant’s country or household circumstances, the applicant must provide a self-declared statement explaining why, along with alternative official evidence of income, such as:
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an employer-issued annual income statement;
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the most recent three(3) consecutive payslips;
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or official pension, government assistance, unemployment, or self-employment records, as applicable.
Documents must be complete, unaltered, and include all pages. Natsu Project may request additional documentation or verification.
Where none of the listed documents are reasonably available, applicants may contact us before the deadline to discuss other forms of verification.
Financial aid applications are reviewed together with the admissions application, so applicants will receive an admission decision and, where applicable, a scholarship offer at the same time.
Applicants will be asked to indicate the maximum amount their family can reasonably contribute toward the program fee without creating significant hardship. Qualified applicants whom we cannot currently support at the required level may be placed on a financial aid waitlist.
Financial Support Deadline: No exceptions will be made to the December 15 deadline. Applicants who apply as self-funded will not be eligible to request the NATSU Global Scholarship after submission of applications.
Travel Support: Travel support is not part of the NATSU Global Scholarship and cannot be requested. Applicants should plan to cover their own travel expenses. If additional funding becomes available after enrollment, Natsu Project may offer limited travel support to selected students based on demonstrated need and available funds. However, students should not enroll with the expectation of receiving travel support.
NATSU Japan Access Grant
To support participation from students based in Japan, a limited number of JPY 120,000 NATSU Japan Access Grants are available to applicants whose primary residence is in Japan, regardless of citizenship.
Each grant is applied as a JPY 120,000 reduction in the program fee. No separate application is required. Awards are not guaranteed, and priority will be given to applicants residing in Okinawa.
Applicants residing in Japan may choose either to be considered for the NATSU Japan Access Grant or to apply for the need-based NATSU Global Scholarship. The two forms of financial support cannot be combined. Applicants will make this selection as part of the application.
No separate scholarship deadline applies to the NATSU Japan Access Grant. Consideration continues through the general admissions process while grants remain available.
Important Dates & Deadlines
October 15, 2026
Applications open
December 15, 2026 · 23:59 JST
Priority Round deadline
December 15, 2026 · 23:59 JST
NATSU Global Scholarship / Financial Support deadline
February 15, 2027 · 23:59 JST
Regular Application Deadline
March 31, 2027
Remaining program fee balance due for enrolled students
All deadlines are based on Japan Standard Time (JST).
To ensure fairness, late applications will not be considered. Extensions will not be granted for technical difficulties, scheduling conflicts, time-zone misunderstandings, missing documents, or similar circumstances. Applicants are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and submit well before the deadline.
Enrollment
Program Fee:
JPY 498,000 + JPY 1,500 registration fee
Enrollment Confirmation:
Applicants who receive an offer of admission will have 48 hours to secure their place by paying a non-refundable JPY 90,000 enrollment deposit, together with a JPY 1,500 registration fee, by credit or debit card. The deposit is applied toward the program fee.
Remaining Balance:
The remaining JPY 408,000 balance must be received by Natsu Project via bank transfer no later than March 31, 2027. Applicants admitted after this date will receive an individual payment deadline. Applicants are responsible for any bank transfer fees and must ensure that the full amount due is received.
Detailed enrollment documents, health and accommodation information, travel guidance, and payment instructions will be provided after enrollment.
Need-Based Scholarship Recipients:
Students receiving a NATSU Global Scholarship will be asked to secure their place with a JPY 50,000 enrollment deposit, together with a JPY 1,500 registration fee, unless otherwise specified in their scholarship offer. The enrollment deposit will be applied toward any remaining program fee.
For recipients of a full NATSU Global Scholarship (100% tuition waiver), the deposit will be treated as an attendance deposit and refunded following successful completion of Natsu Camp, subject to the terms provided with the scholarship offer.
Students receiving a NATSU Japan Access Grant are subject to the standard enrollment deposit and registration fee requirements. The deposit is applied toward their reduced program fee.
Questions?
We encourage applicants and families to review the full Natsu Camp 2027 program information and FAQs, where many common questions are addressed.
If you still have questions after reviewing the website, please feel free to contact us at <info@natsuproject.org>.