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MEXT Japan (research students) 2026: eligibility, amount, selection and how to apply

Fully funded Study in Japan

Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for Research Students (Embassy recommendation), given by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, through the Embassy of Japan in India. Fully funded: monthly stipend, no fees and airfare.

Given byGovernment of Japan
LevelPostgraduate, PhD and research
MoneyFully funded: monthly stipend, no fees and airfare
How many get itTo be announced (2027)
This year2027 forms were due 15 May 2026

Embassy of Japan in India: research studentsCheck if you can applyLetter of recommendation helperVisa

Who can apply for MEXT Japan (research students)

You can apply if

  • Under 35 (born on or after 2 April 1992)
  • Master's or doctoral first phase: a bachelor's in the relevant field with at least 70% marks (65% for humanities and social sciences), marksheet and degree by 30 September 2027
  • Doctoral second phase: a master's with at least 70% and research, teaching or work experience
  • Field of study within the Embassy's list (humanities, social science, sciences, engineering, computer science, architecture, agriculture, sports science and others)

Check if you can apply

Answer from your own documents. The questions are the scholarship's published rules; your answers stay in this browser.

Were you born on or after 2 April 1992?
Do you have (or will you have by 30 September 2027) a bachelor's in the relevant field with at least 70% (65% in humanities or social sciences)?
Is your field in the Embassy's list?
Are you ready to take written exams in Japanese and English and an interview?

Answer the questions to see if you meet the published conditions.

How many get it: The Embassy lists the number of scholarships for 2027 as 'to be announced'. Source: Embassy of Japan in India.

JanWatchdog does not give a percentage chance: the scholarship does not publish one. Meeting every rule makes you eligible to apply; selection then depends on the steps below.

What MEXT Japan (research students) pays

Fully funded: monthly stipend, no fees and airfare. 143,000 yen a month in preparatory education, 144,000 yen in master's or professional degree courses, and 145,000 yen in doctoral courses; education fees exempted; round-trip airfare.

What it covers

How MEXT Japan (research students) selection works

  1. Document screening of a preliminary application form
  2. Written examinations in Japanese and English (the Japanese result guides your Japanese-language preparatory course)
  3. Interview by the Embassy (online in 2026)
  4. Placement at a Japanese university and a letter of provisional acceptance

How to apply for MEXT Japan (research students), step by step

  1. Email the preliminary application form, in Microsoft Word and under 1 MB, to scholarship-india@nd.mofa.go.jp before the deadline.
  2. If shortlisted, submit the full application with the supporting documents in the guidelines.
  3. Sit the written exam and the interview.
  4. If selected, get a Student visa at the Japanese mission in India before you travel.

Dates: 2027 intake: preliminary forms were due 15 May 2026; written exam 5 July 2026; online interviews 16 to 19 July 2026. The scholarship starts in April, September or October 2027.

Documents to keep ready

Embassy of Japan in India: research students

Letters of recommendation for MEXT Japan (research students)

How many1 from your university (and one from your present employer where the Embassy asks for it)
From whomThe president or dean, or your academic adviser, at your current or last university
How they are sentSubmitted with your application documents to the Embassy; the Embassy page has a sample recommendation form

Who should write them: The president or dean, or your academic adviser, at your current or last university. Working applicants may also be asked for a letter from their present employer.

How they are sent: Submitted with your application documents to the Embassy; the Embassy page has a sample recommendation form.

What the letter should cover

The Embassy provides a sample form; the points are suggestions for your referee, not MEXT rules.

Prepare notes and a starting draft for your referee

Fill in what you can. The helper puts your examples under each point the scholarship asks about and writes notes and a plain starting draft. Your referee must write the letter in their own words, check every fact and sign it: scholarships check references, and a letter your referee does not stand behind can cost you the scholarship.

Visa: Japanese Student visa

  1. MEXT scholars must newly obtain a Student visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission in their country before travelling to Japan.
  2. Entering Japan without a newly obtained Student visa suspends the scholarship payment.

Fees and rules change: check the official visa pages before you apply.

Visa sources

Sources

Everything on this page comes from these documents and pages. Checked 18 Oct 2026.

JanWatchdog is not connected with any scholarship. Apply only on the official website; applying is free and no agent is needed.

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