Japanese Ministry of Science - MONBUKAGAKUSHO-Grant (Japan)

What the MEXT Research Student scholarship gives you

You will receive a monthly scholarship of about 870 EUR (between 143,000 and 145,000 yen, depending on your level of study) for postgraduate research in Japan. The funding will be paid for a maximum of 30 months. The amount is 143,000 yen for a preparatory phase to learn Japanese and for research not leading to a degree, 144,000 yen for Master’s students and 145,000 yen for PhD students. In addition to the financial support, the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) will cover all your university fees (enrolment, examination and tuition fees). You will also receive a return economy-class flight between an international airport near you and Japan. If you are posted to certain regions of Japan, you will also receive up to 3,000 yen per month. These amounts may change each year in line with the Japanese national budget.

Who can apply

• Level: You would like to carry out academic research in Japan – as a Master’s student, a PhD student, a part-time student or a research student not aiming for a degree.
• Prior degree: You hold a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) or have completed 16 years of secondary education in a subject area relevant to your proposed research project. To pursue a PhD, you will need a Master’s degree or at least two years’ research experience.
• Field of study: All academic subjects are available, with the exception of traditional Japanese arts (such as Kabuki and classical dance) and subjects that require practical training in factories or companies.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality may apply, provided that their country maintains diplomatic relations with Japan. You cannot apply if you are a Japanese national; both your place of residence and your primary nationality must be outside Japan.
• Age: You were born on or after 2 April 1990 (roughly under 35). Exceptions apply only for reasons at national level, such as military service or war.
• Language: You agree to learn Japanese and to travel to Japan to study.
• No serving military and no recent MEXT grant: You are not an active member of the armed forces. You have not previously received a MEXT scholarship, unless at least three years have passed since then.

How to apply

The usual route is via the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The selection process begins there, and the country-specific application deadline is set. Once you have submitted your documents, the embassy carries out an initial pre-selection process, which consists of written examinations in Japanese and English, as well as an interview. If you pass this stage, you should contact Japanese universities to obtain provisional admission. MEXT then carries out the final allocation, and the embassy announces the results.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a well-known government scholarship open to almost all nationalities and all academic disciplines; as a result, the pool of applicants is large and the selection process is extremely competitive. You must pass written language tests in both Japanese and English, as well as an interview, which serves primarily to identify candidates who are well prepared and suitable for the scholarship. If your field of research is relevant to your previous degree, your grades are good and you prepare thoroughly for the exams, your prospects are good.