Call for Application Research Student - Japanese Government Scholarships (MEXT) 2026 for Master

Eligibility Criteria

MEXT accepts applications from international students for study in Japan who satisfy the following qualifications and conditions.

• Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• Applicants, in principle, must have been born on or after April 2, 1991
• Applicants must satisfy any one of the following conditions for admission to either a master’s or doctoral course at a Japanese graduate school in which they wish to first enroll.
• Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese
• Applicants must submit a health certificate in the prescribed format signed by a physician attesting that the applicant has no physical or mental conditions hindering the applicant’s study in Japan
• Applicants must choose, and fill in the choice in the Application Form, either of the following arrival periods ? or ?.
• Applicants shall, in principle, newly obtain a “Student” visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission located in the applicant’s country/region of nationality, and enter Japan with the status of residence as “Student.” 
• The MEXT Scholarship will be granted to those who are willing to contribute to mutual understanding between Japan and their home country by participating in activities at schools and communities during their study in Japan while contributing to the internationalization of Japan.

Offered Benefits

• The amounts listed below shall be paid depending on the course enrolled in. A supplemental regional allowance of 2,000 yen or 3,000 yen per month will be added to the monthly scholarship amount for the grantees studying or conducting research in specially designated regions.
• Fees for the entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition at universities are waivered. 
• Transportation to and from Japan

Application Process

Applicants MUST read through the Application Guidelines below and follow the instructions.

Application Guidelines

• Application Guidelines for  Research Student.
• Application Guidelines for  Research Student (In Japanese)

Application Forms

• Application Form for FY2026
• Placement Preference Application Form for FY2026
• Field of study and Research Plan
• Certificate of Health 
• Recommendation Letter Sample 

Required Documents:

Applicants must submit the following documents to the Japanese diplomatic mission in the country of the applicant’s nationality by the designated deadline. The submitted documents will not be returned

• Application Form
• Placement Preference Application Form
• Field of Study and Research Plan
• Academic transcript for all academic years of university attended
• Certification of graduation or degree certificate of the university attended 
• Recommendation letter from the president/dean or the academic advisor at the current or last university attended
• Medical certificate
• abstract of theses 
• Certificate of language proficiency
• Recommendation letter from the present employer
• Photograph(s) showing applicant's own works of art or a digitally recorded media of musical performance (Submit if the applicant is to major in fine arts or music)