MEXT Scholarship | Borderless

About the Scholarship

The MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship is the Japanese government's main scholarship for international students. It is offered in seven categories, including Research Students for master's and doctoral study, Undergraduate Students, Japanese Studies Students, Teacher Training, College of Technology, Specialized Training College, and the Young Leaders Program.

All categories provide full tuition exemption and round-trip airfare, with a monthly stipend that depends on the category: ¥117,000 for Undergraduate and Japanese Studies students, ¥143,000 for non-degree Research and Teacher Training students, ¥144,000 for master's and professional-degree students, and ¥145,000 for doctoral students. The separate Young Leaders Program pays ¥242,000 per month.

Applicants can apply through a Japanese embassy or consulate in their home country, or through a partner Japanese university. Each category has its own age limits and academic prerequisites, and deadlines are set per embassy and per university each year.

Stipend categories follow the official JASSO payment breakdown, checked on 12 September. The nationality rule follows the MEXT application guidelines for 2027, checked on 13 September.

What It Covers

Tuition
Living stipend
Travel

Tuition and entrance fees are waived. Monthly stipends are ¥117,000 for Undergraduate and Japanese Studies Students, ¥143,000 for non-degree Research and Teacher Training Students, ¥144,000 for master's and professional-degree students, and ¥145,000 for doctoral students, plus round-trip airfare. The separate Young Leaders Program pays ¥242,000 per month.

Eligibility

Requirements differ by scholarship type. Research Students (master's and doctoral) must be under 35. Undergraduate Students must be under 25 and have completed 12 years of schooling. Japanese Studies Students must be between 18 and 29. Under 35 for research students, under 25 for undergraduates, 18 to 29 for Japanese studies students.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must hold the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. An applicant holding Japanese nationality at the time of application is ineligible, though a dual national resident outside Japan may apply by choosing the other nationality and relinquishing Japanese nationality before arriving in Japan.

All countries

How to Apply

Apply either through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country (Embassy Recommendation) or through a Japanese university with a recommendation agreement (University Recommendation). Embassy applications usually open in spring, with screening exams and interviews in the summer. Check the current year's application guidelines for your scholarship type.

Application Routes and Dates

Embassy recommendation

Check provider

The Japanese embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country sets the application window for each scholarship category.

Timing source · Checked 2026-09-13

University recommendation

Check provider

The recommending Japanese university sets its own selection and application schedule.

Timing source · Checked 2026-09-13