MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded Japanese Government Scholarship which is awarded to international students. The MEXT scholarship are awarded to both undergraduate and graduate students. Students across the globe can apply for the scholarship trough the Japanese Embassy or a participating University. The MEXT scholarship program comprises of Research students, Teacher training students, Undergraduate students, Japanese studies students, college of technology students, Specialized training college students, and Young Leaders Program (YLP) students.
MEXT Scholarship Details.
Application Timeline : Usually begin from May each year. This varies from country to country.
Eligible Nationalities : Open to almost all Nationalities.
Program Type : Undergraduate, Research, Teacher Training and Young Leaders Program.
Fields of study : All programmes offered at the various participating Universities.
Scholarship Seats Available : Several.
Host Country : Japan.
MEXT Scholarship Types & Requirements.
- Research Scholarship
Applicants must be under 35 years of age and a college graduate or have completed 16 years of schooling in order to be eligible. Individuals who have not yet graduated at the time of application must receive their degree before the date of departure for Japan as a scholarship recipient.
2. Undergraduate Scholarship
Applicants must have completed 12 years of education or have completed courses in a school comparable to a high school. Age requirements change each year so please check the application guidelines to see if you qualify. Generally you must be below 24 years of age. Individuals who have not yet graduated at the time of application must receive their high school diploma before the date of departure for Japan as a scholarship recipient.
3. Teacher Training Scholarship
Applicants must be between 17 and 22 years of age and have completed 12 years of education or have completed school education comparable to a Japanese high school. Individuals who have not yet graduated at the time of application must receive their high school diploma before the date of departure for Japan as a scholarship recipient.
4. Japanese Studies Scholarship
Applicants must be between 18 to 30 years of age. They must be enrolled as undergraduate students in institutions outside of Japan prior to being a scholarship recipient and they must return to this home institution upon completion of the MEXT scholarship. Individuals applying for this scholarship must be enrolled in a major in Japanese language and/or Japanese culture.
5. Young Leaders program
You must be under 40 years of age (in principle), and university or college graduates who have practical work experience, young public administrators, etc. who are expected to play active role in Asia and other countries.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive the following benefits towards their studies.
- Full Tuition Fee Exemption.
- Monthly Stipend of “¥143,000～145,000” for Graduate students, “¥117,000” for Undergraduates, and “￥242,000” for Young Leaders Program.
- Round-trip travel expenses.
- Other alumni Network benefits
Please note : Each scholarship type requires an examination as part of the application process.
MEXT Scholarship Application Process
There are two ways to apply for the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship :
1. Embassy recommendation
In this type of scholarship, scholarship recipients are recruited and initially screened by a Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
The type and field of application may vary from country to country. All required documents and interviews will be conducted by the Japanese embassy in your country.
Applicants are required to check with the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country for a detailed application requirements.
2. University recommendation
Some few participating Universities have quota to recommend students to the MEXT Scholarship board.
After a screening of candidates, universities recommend them to Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as potential recipients. Programs offered within this scheme are Research students, Undergraduate students, Japanese and Japanese culture students, as well as College of Technology.
Application requirements and academic standards vary depending on the accepting university.
The scholarship period and eligibility may vary depending on the type of recommendation framework a university has, so please check with the university you wish to enroll in for details.