MEXT Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded) Application Process

Start your study journey in Japan. Good news! MEXT Scholarship applications are now open. In this article, we’ll guide you through the details of the MEXT scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.

The MEXT Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully funded opportunity for international students. It supports undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and training studies at top Japanese universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly living allowance, and round-trip airfare from your home country to Japan.

Offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), this prestigious scholarship is part of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program. It’s designed for high-achieving students who aspire to study in Japan and contribute to international exchange and academic development.

The application cycle usually opens in April, and it’s important to note that knowledge of the Japanese language, as well as IELTS/TOEFL scores, is not mandatory. This is the embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship, which means applicants must apply through the Japanese embassy in their home country.

Please check the Chinese Government Scholarship for International Students.

MEXT Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD / Training
• Institution(s): Japanese Universities
• Study in: Japan
• Courses Offered: All types of courses are offered in all Japanese universities, from social science to engineering, medical to health, arts, humanities, etc. There are no academic field restrictions.
• Program Period: Undergraduate: 4-5 Years, Master’s: 2-3 Years, PhD: 3-4 Years
• MEXT Scholarship Deadline: Varies from Embassy to Embassy (Click here to check deadlines)

MEXT Scholarship Coverage

The MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students to study in Japan for free. This scholarship will provide the recipient with the following benefits:

• Allowances: Monthly Stipend Allowance, Preparatory Allowance (2026 Rate)
• Education Fees: Fees for the Entrance Examination and Tuition Fee at Universities will be paid by MEXT.
• Travelling Expenses: Transportation to Japan: MEXT will cover your round-trip airfare travel expenses from your country to Japan. The airline ticket will be an economy-class ticket for the flight.
• Accommodations: Residence halls for international students are provided by universities.

Eligibility Criteria for MEXT Scholarship 2026

To qualify for the MEXT Scholarship, the candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Required Language: English
• Eligible Countries: All countries
• Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible.
• For Undergraduate Students: You must be at least 17 and under 25 years of age and have completed 12 years of school education or have completed courses in a school comparable to a high school (includes prospective graduates)
• For Master’s/PhD Students: You must be under 35 years of age and a college graduate (including prospective graduates). Or you must have completed 16 years / 18 years of education.
• For teacher training students: You must be under 35 years of age and a graduate of a college or teacher training college. You must have at least five years of active experience as a teacher in a primary, secondary, or teacher-training college in your country.
• For Japanese Study Students: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old. Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate students in faculties or schools that major in Japanese language or Japanese culture at a university outside Japan at the time when they come to Japan and must be enrolled in the home institution at the time when they return to their home countries.

Also, apply for the DAAD Scholarship for International Students.

How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship 2026?

Please follow the following application instructions to apply for the MEXT Scholarship:

1. Find the Japanese Embassy or Consulate of your country from here.
2. Visit the website of the Japanese Embassy in your country. Under the Education/Scholarship tab, you will find the MEXT scholarship.
3. Download the MEXT scholarship application form and fill it out.
4. Submit the required documents (list given below) to the Japanese Embassy of your country.
5. A written test will be conducted by the Japanese Embassy. Find a sample written test with answers here.
6. After that, interviews of the candidates will be conducted.
7. The successful candidates will be informed through email or the embassy website.

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Documents Required for MEXT Scholarship 2026

(1) MEXT Scholarship Application form

(2) The highest degree verified with official stamps.

• Bachelor’s program applicants: 12 Years of Education
• Master’s program applicants: Bachelor’s degree
• Ph.D. program applicants: Master’s degree
  Note: If the degree is not in English, a notarized copy of a translation in English is required.

(3) The highest degree transcript verified with official stamps. (Including the grading system)

• Bachelor’s program applicants: 12 Years of Education
• Master’s program applicants: Bachelor’s degree Transcripts
• Ph.D. program applicants: Master’s degree Transcripts
  Note: If the diploma is not in English, a notarized copy of a translation in English or
  required.

(4) Two recommendation letters: The letters of recommendation must be written by the applicant’s teachers/advisors/employers (who can evaluate your academic performance and research potential) in English. (for research students)

(5) Passport Scan (if available at the time of application)

(6) Curriculum Vitae (CV) (for research students)

(7) Photographs

(8) Study plan / Statement of purpose. The study plan is written in English. Basic content shall include motivation for application, education/research background, and prospective study at APU. (for research students)

(9) English Language Proficiency Document: Those students whose language institute was in English can submit an English Proficiency Certificate from their home university, and they are exempted from the language test.

(10) Academic thesis or relevant publications (for research students)

(11) Other reference documents (if applicable)

Website

To learn more about the MEXT Scholarship, please visit the official website:

Official Website

For more scholarships in Japan, click here.