Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships for Graduate Students – Fully Funded (2026)

Scholarship Overview

• Scholarship Type: Fully funded
• Offered By: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
• Eligible Degrees: Master’s and Doctoral programs
• Start Date: April 2026

Financial Benefits

• Tuition: Full exemption from admission and tuition fees.
• Monthly Stipend: 144,000 JPY (approximately 1,000 USD), which includes housing allowance.
• Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare between the applicant’s home country and Japan.
• Health Insurance: Coverage provided during the scholarship period.
• Study Materials: Support for purchasing necessary academic materials. 

Eligibility Criteria

University Recommendation (UR)

• Nationality: Must be a national of a MEXT-designated country (e.g., Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, etc.).
• Age: Born on or after April 2, 1991.
• Academic Record: Minimum GPA of 2.30 on a 3.00 scale.
• Military Status: Must not be an active member of the military or a civilian employed by the military.
• Other Scholarships: Cannot receive this scholarship together with other scholarships not approved by MEXT.

Embassy Recommendation

• Nationality: Must not hold Japanese nationality and must be from a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• Age: Born on or after April 2, 1991.
• Language Proficiency: Must be willing to learn Japanese and deepen understanding of Japanese culture.
• Work Experience: For MBA applicants, at least three years of full-time work experience by the time of enrollment.
• Military Status: Must not be an active member of the military or a civilian employed by the military.
• Other Scholarships: Cannot receive this scholarship together with other scholarships not approved by MEXT.

Embassy Recommendation

• Initial Screening: Submit applications to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
• First Screening: Embassy conducts the first screening, which may include document review, written examination, and interview.
• University Application: After passing the embassy screening, submit required documents to a Japanese university.
• Final Decision: The embassy announces the final decision.

Important Notes

• Language Proficiency: Applicants must have a sufficient command of the Japanese language to function in an academic setting.
• Preparatory Education: A six-month term of intensive Japanese language training may be required for those lacking proficiency.
• Application Deadlines: Deadlines vary by country and application track. It is crucial to check with the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country for specific deadlines.

 Application Process