MEXT Scholarship 2028 in Japan: Eligibility, Benefits, Screening Stages and How to Apply

The MEXT Scholarship is the Japanese government’s scholarship for international students. It is offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and funds undergraduate, master’s and PhD study, as well as research, Japanese studies and teacher training. Most students apply through the Japanese embassy in their country, which is called the Embassy Recommendation route. Embassy calls for study starting in 2028 are expected around April 2027.

This guide explains what MEXT covers, who can apply, the documents, the two screening stages and how to apply step by step. Each embassy sets its own dates, so the 2027 dates here are estimates. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

MEXT Scholarship 2028 at a glance

What is the MEXT Scholarship?

MEXT brings international students to Japanese universities and pays their costs. Graduate applicants on the embassy route usually enter Japan as research students first, and then move into a master’s or PhD programme after passing the university’s entrance process. Students who need it take Japanese language training before their studies. Some universities also nominate students directly, which is called the University Recommendation route.

What does MEXT cover?

• Full tuition, entrance and examination fees
• A monthly stipend, which is higher for graduate students
• Round-trip economy airfare

Stipend amounts are set by MEXT each year. Recent figures published by Japanese universities are 117,000 JPY a month for undergraduates, 143,000 JPY for non-degree research students, 144,000 JPY for master’s students and 145,000 JPY for PhD students. Confirm the current amounts in the application guidelines.

Who can apply?

• You are a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• Research student applicants must be born on or after 2 April 1992 under the 2027 guideline. The date moves forward each year.
• You hold a bachelor’s degree for master’s study, or a master’s degree for PhD study.
• You are in good health and willing to learn Japanese.
• You meet the academic requirements of the category you apply for.

Documents you need

• Application form and placement preference form
• Field of study and research plan
• Transcripts and degree certificates
• Recommendation letter
• Medical certificate
• Language certificates, if you have them

Use the forms for the correct year from your embassy or the Study in Japan website. Old forms are rejected.

How MEXT selects scholars

1. First screening, by the Japanese embassy: your documents are reviewed. Applicants who pass take written examinations, and those who pass the examinations are interviewed.
2. Acceptance from a university: candidates who pass the first screening contact Japanese universities to obtain a provisional acceptance letter.
3. Second screening, by MEXT: MEXT reviews the embassy’s recommended candidates and makes the final decision and university placement.

Typical timeline on the embassy route

The months follow the pattern published by Japanese universities and embassies. Your embassy’s notice gives the exact dates.

How to apply for MEXT, step by step

1. Find your embassy’s MEXT page. Check the website of the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
2. Choose your category and download the forms for the right year.
3. Write your research plan. State your topic, why it matters and how you will study it in Japan.
4. Shortlist universities and professors for your placement preference form.
5. Submit your documents in the way your embassy requires, before its deadline.
6. Take the written examinations and attend the interview if you pass the document review.
7. Request provisional acceptance from Japanese universities after you pass the first screening.
8. Wait for MEXT’s decision and placement.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Prepare for the written examinations early. Only those who pass go on to interview.
• Make the research plan specific and realistic for the length of the scholarship.
• Choose professors whose research matches your plan, so acceptance is more likely.
• Keep copies of everything you submit.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using the dates or forms of another country’s embassy.
• Submitting forms that are incomplete or unsigned.
• Writing a research plan that is too broad.
• Waiting until after the interview to look for universities.

Is the MEXT Scholarship right for you?

It suits you if:

• you want a fully funded research or degree programme in Japan;
• you can prepare for written examinations as well as an interview;
• you have a clear research topic and can find a professor who works on it;
• you are within the age limit for your category.

Look elsewhere if:

• you are above the age limit;
• you want a quick decision, because the embassy route takes many months from application to arrival;
• you have no interest in learning any Japanese.

How to write the Field of Study and Research Plan

This form is the centre of the document review. It has three parts, and each needs a clear answer:

1. Present field of study: what you studied, your thesis or main project and what you learned from it.
2. Your research theme in Japan: one specific topic, stated in a sentence or two.
3. Your study and research plan: the background of the problem, what you will do, the method, a timeline and why Japan is the right place for this work.

Keep the topic narrow enough to finish within the scholarship period. Mention Japanese research or facilities that relate to your topic, which shows you have read about the field in Japan. Our research proposal template can be adapted to the form.

How to prepare for the written examinations

• Find out which papers you must sit. Your embassy’s notice lists them. Language papers in English and Japanese are common for research students.
• Practise with past papers. Past examination questions are published on the Study in Japan website.
• Do not skip the Japanese paper if your embassy requires you to sit it, even if your Japanese is basic. Attempt what you can.
• Start early. Give yourself at least six weeks of regular practice.

How to prepare for the embassy interview

The panel wants to know that your plan is serious and that you will finish it. Prepare to explain your research plan in simple words, why you chose Japan, which universities and professors you prefer and what you will do after you return home. Bring a copy of your research plan and know it well. See our scholarship interview tips.

How to get provisional acceptance from a university

After you pass the first screening, the embassy gives you the documents you need to contact Japanese universities. Then:

1. Choose professors whose research matches your plan. Read their recent papers first.
2. Follow your embassy’s instructions on how many universities you may contact and by what date.
3. Send a short, polite email with your research plan, your CV and the embassy’s certificate that you passed the first screening.
4. Fill in the placement preference form with the universities that accept you.

Our guide on how to email professors has a template you can adapt.

A preparation plan

1. January to March: define your research topic and shortlist professors and universities.
2. March: draft your research plan and start practising past examination papers.
3. April: watch your embassy’s website for the call, download the forms and collect transcripts, certificates and a recommendation letter.
4. By the embassy deadline: submit complete, signed forms.
5. May to July: sit the examinations and attend the interview.
6. After the first screening: request provisional acceptance from universities.

Final checklist before you submit

• You used this year’s forms from your own embassy.
• Every form is complete and signed.
• Your research plan is specific and realistic.
• Your transcripts and certificates are official copies.
• Your recommendation letter is signed by the right person at your university.
• Your medical certificate is on the official form.
• You know the date and subjects of the written examinations.

After you are selected by MEXT

MEXT announces the final results and your university placement, usually between late autumn and February. The embassy then guides you through the visa application and your flight, which the scholarship pays for. Students who need it start with a Japanese language course before their research or degree. Research students later sit the entrance examination of their university to move into a master’s or PhD programme, so ask your supervisor early about the dates and what the examination covers.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know Japanese for MEXT?

Not always. Many graduate programmes are taught in English, and MEXT provides Japanese language training for students who need it. Embassies often include a Japanese paper in the written examinations, so check your embassy’s notice.

Is there a written test?

Yes. The embassy’s first screening includes written examinations after the document review.

Do I need an acceptance letter before applying?

No. On the embassy route you seek provisional acceptance after passing the first screening.

What is the age limit?

For the 2027 round, research student applicants had to be born on or after 2 April 1992. Other categories have their own limits.

When does MEXT open?

Embassies usually announce the call around April.

Where to apply

Guidelines and forms are on the official Study in Japan website and on your Japanese embassy’s website. See our MEXT Scholarship page for benefits and the expected deadline, and our scholarship pages for the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.