The Japanese Government Scholarship, also known as the MEXT Scholarship, is a fully funded award for international students. The scholarship funds students who want to pursue an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree in Japan. This program’s goal is to promote cultural exchange and foster friendship between Japan and other countries. The scholarship provides a monthly stipend. The Japanese government offers several scholarship types. An applicant must meet specific eligibility criteria.
The MEXT scholarship is available for three main academic levels. The scholarship provides significant financial support to remove the barriers to studying in Japan.
- Undergraduate Students: This award covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend of approximately ¥117,000, and round-trip airfare. The scholarship period is five years, which includes one year of Japanese language training.
- Master’s Students: This scholarship provides full tuition, a monthly stipend of approximately ¥144,000, and airfare. The scholarship period is two years.
- Doctoral Students: This award covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend of approximately ¥145,000, and airfare. The scholarship period is three years.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the MEXT scholarship, you must meet three key requirements. These requirements vary by scholarship type. The scholarship committee reviews your academic record.
- Nationality: You must have the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. You are not eligible if you have Japanese nationality.
- Age: In principle, undergraduate applicants must be born on or after April 2, 2001. Research (graduate) applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1990.
- Education: You must have a strong academic background. For example, master’s degree applicants must have or expect to receive a bachelor’s degree by the specified deadline. You must submit academic documents, such as official transcripts, graduation certificates, and a completed application form.
How to Apply
To apply for the MEXT Scholarship, follow a two-step process. You must submit your application to the Japanese embassy in your country, if you are applying through the Embassy Recommendation channel. The scholarship committee conducts a first screening.
- First Screening: The Japanese embassy or consulate in your country performs an initial screening. This stage involves a document review, a written exam, and an interview.
- Second Screening: MEXT conducts the final screening in consultation with Japanese universities. If you pass the first screening, you must seek a Letter of Provisional Acceptance from a Japanese university. You must submit this letter to the embassy.
To get strong letters of recommendation, choose recommenders who know you well, provide them with your CV and research plan, and give them at least four weeks’ notice.
Important Deadlines
The application period and deadlines for the MEXT scholarship vary significantly by country and university. The MEXT scholarship announces application guidelines in the spring.
- Embassy Recommendation: Applications typically open between April and July. The deadline to submit documents is usually in late May or early June.
- University Recommendation: The application period is typically from November to December. Your prospective university nominates candidates to MEXT.
Apply Now
The official application and guidelines are available online. To start your journey, visit the official MEXT website. You must submit your application, if you want to be considered for the scholarship.
