Are you interested in studying in Japan for free this 2026/2027 session? One of the best and yet, overlook Japan scholarship is the MEXT scholarship.
The MEXT Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for foreign scholars who are seeking to study in Japan but needs financial aids. This scholarship provides fully funded programs at top Japanese universities across a wide range of academic fields.
Recommended: Australia Awards Scholarships 2026: A Complete Guide for International Students Moving to Australia
This page contains everything you need to know regarding the MEXT Scholarship, including Benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step process on How to apply and tips to get your application to be Accepted.
The MEXT Scholarship 2026/2027 is currently open and available for international students from every continents in the world. This scholarship is both available for undergraduates, master’s, PhD, and training studies at top Japanese universities.
The MEXT scholarship covers tuition fees, cost of rents (accommodation), you’ll be given monthly living allowance, and round-trip airfare from your home country to Japan. What else do you need in a scholarship offer? This scholarship offer is like getting a Visa sponsorship to go Study in Japan and enjoy the benefits of Japanese culture.
This scholarship is approved and offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), this prestigious scholarship is part of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program, available to qualified and eligible candidates.
One of it’s requirement, is that it is ONLY available for high-achieving students who aspire to study in Japan and contribute to international exchange and academic development between Japan and their Home country.
The application registration commence in April, and yes, it is NOT mandatory that you must speak or either hear Japanese language to be eligible, or have any IELTS/TOEFL scores.
Are you a Woman and interested in Moving to the USA? 2026 Forté USA MBA Scholarships for WOMEN ONLY; Worth $10,000 – $40,000+
This is the embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship, which means applicants must apply through the Japanese embassy in their home country, to get approved. If you applied through any other means, you’ll likely get rejected.
When you get approved and move to Japan, you can start learning Japanese language, it totally depends on you. But learning Japanese will give you a better opportunity of exploring Japan and connecting with the people.
MEXT 2027 Japan Scholarship Summary.
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD / Training
- Institution(s): Japanese Universities
- Study in: Japan
- Courses Offered: All types of courses are offered in all Japanese universities, from social science to engineering, medical to health, arts, humanities, etc. There are no academic field restrictions.
- Program Period: Undergraduate: 4 – 5 Years, Master’s: 2 – 3 Years, PhD: 3 – 4 Years.
Deadline for MEXT Scholarship Registration.
The application deadline for the MEXT Scholarship, for the 2026-2027 session, is between February to May 2026. Click HERE to check the country-specific deadline, and I highly recommend you apply early, before it’s too late.
Benefits of Japan MEXT Scholarship.
- Allowances: Monthly Stipend Allowance, Preparatory Allowance (2026 Rate)
- Education Fees: Fees for the Entrance Examination and Tuition Fee at Universities will be paid by MEXT.
- Traveling Fees and Ticket: Free. Note that the airline ticket will be an economy-class ticket for the flight.
- Transportation to Japan: MEXT will cover your round-trip airfare travel expenses from your country to Japan.
- Accommodations/Housing: Residence halls for international students are provided by universities.
Examinations Required for Embassy Recommendation
| Research students | Japanese and English |
|---|---|
| Teacher training students | Japanese and English |
| Undergraduate students | Japanese, English, mathematics, science (*Only science faculty examinees are required to choose two out of the following three subjects: chemistry, physics, or biology) |
| Japanese studies students | Japanese |
| College of technology students | Japanese, English, mathematics, and physics or chemistry |
| Specialized training college students | Japanese, English, and mathematics |
Eligibility Requirements for the MEXT Scholarship 2027.
All candidates who are interested in applying for the MEXT scholarship program, are required mandated to fulfill all of the following requirements listed below:
- Required Language: English.
- Eligible Countries: All countries.
- The Japanese government disclosed that all applying scholars must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations and tiers with Japan.
- Any applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of applying for this scholarship, are not qualified.
- For Undergraduate Students: You must be at least 17 and under 25 years of age and have completed 12 years of school education or have completed courses in a school comparable to a high school (includes prospective graduates)
- For Master’s/PhD Students: You must be under 35 years of age and a college graduate (including prospective graduates). Or you must have completed 16 years / 18 years of education.
- For Teacher Training Students: According to Mext Scholarship criteria, you must be under 35 years of age at the time of applying, and a graduate of a college or teacher training college. You must have at least five years of active experience as a teacher in a primary, secondary, or teacher-training college in your Home country before applying, or else, your application will be disqualified and rejected.
- For Japanese Study Students: Applicants must be between 18yrs and 30 years old. Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate students in faculties or schools that major in Japanese language or Japanese culture at a university outside Japan at the time when they come to Japan and must be enrolled in the home institution at the time when they return to their home countries.
How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship 2027?
If you pass all the criteria checks above, and meets the requirements, then you can kickstart your registration for the MEXT Scholarship, using the detailed guide provided below:
- Find the Japanese Embassy or Consulate of your country, if you can’t find them yourself, you can check the Japan official portal by Clicking Here.
- When the above website loads up, proceed and select the Japanese Embassy in your country. Under the Education/Scholarship tab, you will find the MEXT scholarship.
- Click on it, it will automatically Download the MEXT scholarship application form.
- Proceed and fill the form with all the required details. (Please, endeavor to use your correct details).
- Submit the required documents (list given below) to the Japanese Embassy of your country.
- A written test will be conducted by the Japanese Embassy. Click Here to Find a sample written test with answers too.
- After that, the Japanese Embassy in your country will set up date to conduct interviews of applicants.
- The successful candidates will be informed through email or the embassy website.
List of MEXT Scholarship Required Documents.
1: MEXT Scholarship Application form
2: The highest degree verified with official stamps.
- Bachelor’s program applicants: 12 Years of Education
- Master’s program applicants: Bachelor’s degree
- Ph.D. program applicants: Master’s degree
Note: If the degree is not in English, a notarized copy of a translation in English is required.
3: The highest degree transcript verified with official stamps. (Including the grading system).
- Bachelor’s program applicants: 12 Years of Education
- Master’s program applicants: Bachelor’s degree Transcripts
- Ph.D. program applicants: Master’s degree Transcripts
Note: If the diploma is not in English, a notarized copy of a translation in English or
required.
4: Two recommendation letters: Take note that you will be required to submit letters of recommendation which must be written by the applicant’s teachers/advisors/employers (who can evaluate your academic performance and research potential) in English. (for research students)
5: Passport Scan (if available at the time of application)
6: Curriculum Vitae (CV) (This document is ONLY required for research students)
7: Photographs.
8: Study plan / Statement of purpose: Like most scholarships, you are to state the purpose and aim of the scholarship. The study plan must be written in English Language. The statement of Purpose should include motivation for application, education/research background, and prospective study at APU (for research students).
9: English Language Proficiency Document: Those students whose language institute was in English can submit an English Proficiency Certificate from their home university, and they are exempted from the language test.
10: Academic thesis or relevant publications (for research students)
11: Other reference documents (if applicable)
Finally, if you have any question regarding the MEXT Scholarship, I’ll recommend you go-to the official website: Official Website.