MEXT Scholarship (Research Student)

Fully Funded GovernmentMaster'sPhD

Japan's flagship government scholarship, administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, supporting international students enrolled as Research Students en route to a master's or doctoral degree at a Japanese university.

Award

$10,880 – $11,520

Estimated value

Deadline

≈ varies by country, typically May-June 2026

Estimated, not an official date

Covers: Tuition · Living stipend · Travel

Tuition fees Covered
Living stipend Covered
Travel Covered
Health insurance Not covered
Arrival allowance Not covered

Education
Minimum: Bachelor's
Study level
Master's, PhD
Field of study
All fields
Nationality
160+ countries with diplomatic relations with Japan
Age limit
Generally under 35, varies by track
GPA
Strong academic record
Language
JLPT/TOEFL/IELTS (depending on program language)
Other requirements
- Two application routes: Embassy Recommendation or University Recommendation
- No return-service obligation or repayment required
- Includes optional 6-month Japanese language preparatory course

1
Choose Embassy or University Recommendation route
2
Document screening
3
Written exam and/or interview (embassy track)
4
Final selection and university placement

Required documents

Passport
Transcripts
Degree certificate
Letter of recommendation
Research plan (for research students)
Health certificate

Apply

Applications are submitted on the provider's website.

Apply on official website

Provider: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) (Government)
Funded by: Government of Japan
Duration: 2 years (Master's), 3 years (PhD), plus optional research student period
Intake: April 2027 / October 2027
Where to study: Any Japanese national, public, or accredited private university

Embassy Track Deadline
≈ varies by country, typically May-June 2026
Estimated
University Recommendation Track Deadline
≈ September 2026-January 2027
Estimated

No sources recorded for this scholarship yet — confirm every detail on the official website.

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