MEXT Scholarships for International Students

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The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) is an institution under the Ministry of Japan that grants various scholarships for students. One of MEXT’s scholarship programs is the Monbukagakusho: MEXT Scholarship. It is a scholarship program for international students to come and study in Japan. It aims to promote healthy cultural diversity and exchange of ideas that can help for the betterment of both Japan and the international student’s country, and high-quality education designed to meet the needs of all the students.

The list of recommended students for the MEXT Scholarship will come from the Japanese Embassy or any Institution of Higher Education. This program is a great opportunity for people who want to study in Japan and improve their knowledge and skills in different fields.

MEXT Scholarship Amount

There are scholarship awards associated with this program which are as follows.

The Undergraduate Level Scholarships cover:

  • 117,000 yen plus a 2,000 – 3,000 yen additional allowance monthly.
  • Free University/College of Technology/Special Training Colleges tuition, examination fees, enrollment fees.
  • Economy-class plane tickets going to and from Japan only. Other transportation fees are paid by the applicant.

The Graduate Level Scholarships cover:

  • 143,000 yen and an additional allowance worth 2,000 – 3,000-yen every month for irregular/Teacher Training students.
  • 144,000 yen and an additional allowance worth 2,000 – 3,000-yen every month for regular students taking up master’s degrees.
  • 145,000 yen and an additional allowance worth 2,000 – 3,000-yen every month for regular taking up doctorate degrees.
  • Free tuition, examination fees, and enrollment fees.
  • Economy-class plane tickets going to and from Japan only. Other transportation fees are paid by the applicant.

Note that the monthly allowances for MEXT schoalrships can change every fiscal year depending on the financial situation of the Japanese Government.

 

Eligibility Criteria for MEXT Scholarship Programs

The eligibility criteria that need to be met for every scholarship are outlined below.

General qualifications and conditions:

  • The applicant should be from a country that has a diplomatic relationship with Japan.
  • Have a good health condition based on the latest medical examinations.
  • Have obtained a new student visa.
  • Willing to study the Japanese language.

1. Undergraduate Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for Undergraduate Scholarship

The Undergraduate Scholarship is for undergraduates taking a one-year preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects essential for their undergraduate studies.

  • Applicant’s age must be 17-24 years old
  • Have finished at least 12 years of school education.

Eligibility for Japanese Studies Student Scholarship

This Japanese Studies Student Scholarship is for individuals who wish to widen their understanding of Japanese culture.

  • Applicant’s age must be 18-30 years old
  • Enrolled in an undergraduate foreign school
  • Wants to study fields related to Japanese culture

Eligibility for College of Technology Student Scholarship

The College of Technology Student Scholarship is for enrolled students in courses such as engineering, IT, and related fields.

  • The applicant’s age must be 17-24 years old
  • Have finished at least 11 years of school education equal to the standards in Japan.

Eligibility for Specialized Training Student Scholarship

The Specialized Training Student Scholarship is for individuals who want to study specialized training in the fields related to technology, business, education, personal care, fashion, and home economics.

  • The applicant’s age must be 17-24 years old.
  • Have finished 12 years of school education from a university upholding a similar quality of education exhibited in Japan.

2. Graduate Level Scholarships

Eligibility for Research Student Scholarship

The Research Student Scholarship Program is for individuals who wanted to pursue advanced academic studies through Doctorate and Master’s degrees. The validity of the scholarship is one year and six months to two years.

  • The applicant’s age must be below 35 years old.
  • Have finished at least 16 years of school education.

Eligibility for Teacher Training Student Scholarship

Teacher Training Student Scholarship is for teachers who wish to do a research study about education. The validity of the scholarship will be for one year and six months, from October to March.

  • The applicant’s age must be 35 years old
  • A primary/secondary teacher with 5 or more years of teaching experience before their application
  • Graduate from any university or teaching school.

Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship Deadlines

Research student, Undergraduate student, College of Technology student, and Special Training College Student Scholarship Program

The application starts from April to May of the previous year for MEXT scholarships. Applicants will undergo a screening process in the Japanese embassy from June to July. After the screening process, a list of candidates will be submitted to MEXT.

Teacher Training and Japanese Studies Student Scholarship Program

The application starts from December of the previous year and February of the current year. The screening will be conducted around February to March and the results will be out by April of the same year.

How to Apply for Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship

To apply for a Japanese Government Scholarship, follow the instructions below.

  1. Download the application form for the chosen scholarship from the official web pages provided below.
  1. Fill out the application form.
  2. Submit the required documents to the Japanese embassy in your country. Note that, direct application to MEXT is prohibited.
  3. Visit the official websites of the Japanese embassy in your country.

Note that the start and deadline of the submission and screening process vary in every country. Visit the official website of the Japanese embassy in your country for the results and updates regarding the MEXT scholarship application.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Scholarships Page.