If you are looking forward to studying in Japan, this is a great scholarship for you. In this article, we will explain in detail the MEXT scholarship, its benefits, and the application procedure step by step.

MEXT Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully-funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available for undergraduate, master's, doctoral and internship studies. The MEXT Scholarship will cover tuition fees, accommodation, monthly living allowance and round-trip travel expenses from your home country to Japan.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students wishing to study at Japanese universities as undergraduate students or research students (Master/PhD) under the Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT) Program.

The application round for MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship is usually announced in April. Knowledge of Japanese language and IELTS/TOEFL are not mandatory for this scholarship. This is the scholarship recommended by MEXT embassy. You can apply through the Japanese embassy in your country.

MEXT Scholarship Summary

• Study level: University / Master's / PhD / Training
• Institution(s): Japanese Universities
• Study in: Japan
• Courses Offered: All kinds of courses are offered at all Japanese universities from social sciences to engineering, medicine to health, arts, humanities, etc. There are no restrictions on academic field.
• Program duration: Bachelor: 4-5 years, Master: 2-3 years, PhD: 3-4 years
• MEXT Scholarship Application Deadline: Varies from embassy to embassy (click here to check deadlines)

MEXT Scholarship Coverage

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:

• Benefits: Monthly salary allowance, preparation allowance (2026 rate)
• Tuition Fees: Entrance examination fees and tuition fees at universities will be paid by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
• Travel Expenses: Transportation to Japan: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will cover the round-trip travel expenses from your home country to Japan. The air ticket will be an economy class ticket for the trip.
• Accommodation: Halls of residence for international students provided by universities.

Eligibility Criteria for MEXT Scholarship 2026

To qualify for a MEXT scholarship, a candidate must meet all of the following requirements:

• Required language: English
• Eligible countries: All countries in the world
• Applicants must be citizens of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• An applicant who holds Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible to apply.
• For undergraduate students: You must be at least 17 years old and under 25 years old and have completed 12 years of school education or completed courses at a school similar to high school (includes potential graduates)
• For Masters/PhD students: You must be under 35 years old and have a university degree (including potential graduates). Or you must have completed 16/18 years of education.
• For teacher training students: You must be under 35 years of age and be a graduate of a college or teacher training college. You must have at least five years of active experience as a teacher at a primary or secondary education college 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 at colleges or schools specializing in Japanese language or Japanese culture at a university outside Japan at the time of their arrival in Japan and must be enrolled at the home institution at the time of their return to their home countries.

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How to apply for MEXT Scholarship 2026?

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

1. Find the Japanese embassy or consulate for your country 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 and fill out the MEXT Scholarship Application Form.
4. Submit the required documents (listed below) to the Japanese Embassy in your country.
5. A written test will be conducted by the Japanese Embassy. You can find a sample written test with answers here .
6. After that, interviews will be conducted with the candidates.
7. Successful candidates will be notified via email or embassy website.

Documents required for MEXT 202 6 Scholarship

(1) Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Scholarship Application Form

(2) The highest degree certified with official seals.

• Bachelor's degree applicants: 12 years of education
• Master's Program Applicants: Bachelor's Degree
• PhD applicants: Master's degree
  Note: If the degree is not in English, a certified copy of the English translation must be submitted.

(3) A certificate of the highest academic degree, authenticated with the official seal (including the grading system)

• Bachelor's degree applicants: 12 years of education
• Master's Program Applicants: Bachelor's Degree Transcript
• PhD applicants: Master's degree transcripts
  Note: If the degree is not in English,
  a certified copy of the English translation or high school certificate is required.

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

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

(6) CV (for research students)

(7) Photographs

(8) Study Plan/Statement of Purpose . The study plan should be written in English. The main content should include the motivation for application, educational/research background, and future study at APU. (For research students)

(9) English Proficiency Certificate: Students whose language institute was in English can submit an English Proficiency Certificate from their home university and are exempted from the language test.

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

(11) Other reference documents (if any)

Website

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

Official website