MEXT Graduate Scholarship Program 2026 in Japan Fully Funded
Do you want to study in Japan with a fully funded scholarship program in 2026 then the MEXT Graduate Scholarship 2026 is a very popular and fully funded (all-expenses-paid) scholarship offered by the Japanese government. It is for international students who wish to pursue a Master's Degree or PhD in Japan.
1. What is the Purpose and Duration of the MEXT Scholarship?
Purpose:
The purpose of this scholarship is to provide excellent students from all over the world with the opportunity to study in Japan, in order to build friendship and good relations between Japan and their countries. This also contributes to the development of Japan on the global stage.
Levels of Study:
Master's Degree and PhD Degree.
Duration of the Program:
- Master's Degree: Usually a 2-year program. It may also include a 6-month or 1-year Japanese language preparation if the university requires it, after which you begin your degree.
- PhD (Doctorate): Usually a 3-year program. It may also include a Japanese language preparation.
- Research Student: Some students are first admitted as a research student, where they conduct research for 6 months to 2 years and then enroll in a regular master's or PhD program.
Funding:
The MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship, meaning the Japanese government covers most or all of your expenses.
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2. Key Benefits of the MEXT Scholarship
If you are selected, you will receive the following:
Airfare:
Economy class round-trip ticket from your home country to Japan.
Monthly Allowance:
A fixed amount is given each month (approximately 144,000 Japanese yen for a master's, and 145,000 Japanese yen for a PhD, this amount may vary slightly). This is enough to cover your living expenses, food, and incidentals.
University Fees:
The university's entrance fee, registration fee, and tuition fee are fully waived.
Japanese Language Training:
If you do not speak Japanese, approximately 6 months or 1 year of Japanese language training is provided at the beginning of the scholarship.
Medical Insurance:
You have health insurance, so that you can receive treatment.
Also Check: Fully Funded Scholarships for USA and UK 2025-2026
3. Eligibility Criteria (Who Can Apply?)
Here are the general requirements that may change slightly each year, but the basics remain the same:
Nationality:
You must be a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
Age:
Generally, you must be under 35 years old (i.e. born after April 2, 1991, but the exact date is given in each year's guidelines).
Education:
- For Master's: You must have a bachelor's degree or have completed it by the time the scholarship starts.
- For PhD: You must have a master's degree or have completed it by the time the scholarship starts.
Academic Record (Grade):
You must have good grades in your previous degrees, usually at least a 2.30 GPA or higher out of 3.0 as measured by MEXT.
Health:
You must be physically and mentally healthy to be able to study in Japan.
Language:
Japanese language proficiency is not required, but it will strengthen your application if you can speak Japanese or English (especially if you want to study in an English program). IELTS/TOEFL is often not required if your previous education was in English.
Previous MEXT Scholarship:
If you have previously received a MEXT Scholarship, you generally cannot apply again (there may be some special circumstances).
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4. Application Methods
There are two main ways to apply for a MEXT Graduate Scholarship:
Through the Embassy of Japan (Embassy Recommendation Track):
- You submit your application to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
- The embassy conducts initial screening, written examination and interview, then sends the names of selected candidates to MEXT in Japan.
- This is the most common method and offers the most scholarships.
- Application time: It opens first, usually from April to June (for the next year of admission, i.e., 2026).
Through a Japanese University (University Recommendation Track):
- You apply directly to a university in Japan, and that university recommends you for a MEXT scholarship.
- In this method, the university makes the selection according to its needs.
- Application time: It usually opens between September and December (for the next year of admission). Each university has its own deadline.
5. Required Documents (Usually Requested)
(The exact list will be available when the official guidelines for 2026 are released).
- MEXT Scholarship Application Form
- Your Personal Statement
- Study Plan or Research Plan
- Letters of recommendation (usually from your college/university professor)
- Proof of your and your parents' nationality (such as passport or ID card)
- Marksheets (transcripts) and certificates of previous degrees (Bachelor, Master)
- Copy of passport
- Health certificate (must be made by a doctor)
- Thesis Abstract or research papers, if any.
- English or Japanese language test scores (if any)
Important Thing About Documents:
All documents must be in English or Japanese, otherwise attach a certified translation. Many documents require an Apostille or authentication from a Japanese embassy.
6. Application Procedure (General Steps)
Wait for Official Guidelines:
First, visit the Japanese embassy website or "Wait for the official guidelines for 2026 on the "study in Japan" website (www.studyinjapan.go.jp).
Check Eligibility:
Check your eligibility conditions according to the instructions.
Choose Method:
Embassy or university, whichever is best for you.
Get the Form:
Download the official forms.
Prepare Documents:
Have all necessary documents ready in advance, especially the research plan.
Submit Application:
Submit your complete application before the deadline.
Exam/Interview:
Those who apply through the embassy undergo a written test and interview.
Results:
Final results are usually released before or early in the scholarship year.
Applications for the MEXT Graduate Scholarship 2026 through the embassy usually open between April and June. However, applications through the university are likely to open between September 2025 and December 2025 for 2026. You will need to check the websites of your preferred universities in Japan. To know more information visit the scholarship program official link here.