The Japan Government MEXT Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded postgraduate award at the University of Tokyo, open to international students from all countries with diplomatic relations with Japan. Covering full tuition fees, a monthly stipend of 144,000–145,000 JPY, and round-trip economy class airfare, the scholarship supports master’s and doctoral students for two and three years respectively. Applicants must hold a minimum grade point of 2.30 and meet English language proficiency requirements. The application deadline is 31 October 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded Government Postgraduate Scholarship |
| Organising Body | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan |
| Host University | University of Tokyo (Todai), Japan |
| Mode | On-Campus (Offline) |
| Duration | 2 Years (Master’s) / 3 Years (Doctoral) |
| Location | University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2026 |
About the Program
The University of Tokyo — consistently ranked as Japan’s top university — administers the MEXT Scholarship 2027 under the University Recommendation scheme, through which the institution conducts its own preliminary selection process and directly recommends candidates to Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Consequently, all prospective applicants must initiate contact with the University of Tokyo as their first step, rather than applying centrally through MEXT. The university offers a wide range of graduate-level programmes in English, making it one of the most internationally accessible research environments in Asia for master’s and doctoral students.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Applicants must be citizens of a country that maintains diplomatic relations with the Japanese government.
- Applicants who have already graduated must hold a final grade point of 2.30 or higher from their most recent degree programme.
- Currently enrolled students must maintain a grade point of 2.30 or higher in their current programme and sustain this standard throughout the scholarship period.
- Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency that meets the University of Tokyo’s stated requirements for the chosen programme.
- Applicants must apply for a field of study that directly relates to or closely aligns with the discipline they studied at their previous university.
Experience & Other Conditions
- Applicants must be born on or after 2 April 1990.
- Applicants must be physically and mentally healthy enough to pursue full-time graduate study in Japan.
- Applicants must be able to arrive in Japan within two weeks before or after the first day of the semester at the University of Tokyo, as directed by the accepting university.
- All application documents must be written in either Japanese or English, prepared in A4 format using standard software, and printed double-sided; documents in any other language must include a Japanese translation.
Stipend, Salary & Benefits
The Japan Government MEXT Scholarship 2027 provides a comprehensive financial package covering tuition, living costs, and international travel for the full programme duration.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Fully waived – enrollment and tuition fees exempted |
| Master’s Monthly Stipend | 144,000 JPY per month |
| Doctoral Monthly Stipend | 145,000 JPY per month |
| Regional Supplement | Additional 2,000–3,000 JPY/month for designated regional study areas |
| Annual Stipend Value | Approximately $11,200 USD per year (¥1,774,000) |
| Outbound Airfare | Economy class ticket from the nearest international airport to the scholar’s residence |
| Return Airfare | Economy class return ticket issued within the final month of the scholarship period |
Selection Process
- Initial contact with and preliminary application to the University of Tokyo’s graduate school or department
- University of Tokyo conducts its own internal preliminary selection of candidates
- University recommends selected candidates to MEXT for formal scholarship consideration
- MEXT reviews recommended applications against scholarship eligibility and academic standards
- Final scholarship award confirmation by MEXT
How to Apply
- Visit the official University of Tokyo admissions and MEXT scholarship webpage to review available graduate programmes and scholarship application requirements.
- Submit a formal admission application for your chosen Master’s or Doctoral programme at the University of Tokyo — this is a mandatory prerequisite before initiating the MEXT scholarship process.
- Prepare all required documents in Japanese or English, formatted in A4, double-sided: application form, field of study and research plan, letter of recommendation, official academic transcript(s), passport-type photo (4.5 × 3.5 cm, taken within the last 6 months), language proficiency proof, abstract of graduation thesis, official statement of (expected) graduation, and a copy of your passport photo page.
- Submit all MEXT scholarship documents to the University of Tokyo after completing the admission application, ensuring every document is accurate, complete, and formatted correctly.
- Submit the full application before the deadline of 31 October 2026; late applications and incomplete submissions are not considered under any circumstances.
Important Dates & Links
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Master’s Programme Period | October 2027 – September 2029 (2 years) |
| Doctoral Programme Period | October 2027 – September 2030 (3 years) |
Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Japan Government MEXT Scholarship 2027 at the University of Tokyo?
International students from any country maintaining diplomatic relations with Japan, born on or after 2 April 1990, with a minimum grade point of 2.30 and sufficient English proficiency to pursue graduate study at the University of Tokyo are eligible.
What is the monthly stipend for the Japan Government MEXT Scholarship 2027?
Master’s students receive 144,000 JPY per month, while doctoral students receive 145,000 JPY per month, with an additional regional supplement of 2,000–3,000 JPY applicable in designated areas.
How does the University Recommendation MEXT Scholarship application process work?
Applicants must first contact and apply directly to the University of Tokyo, which then conducts its own preliminary selection and recommends shortlisted candidates to MEXT for final scholarship consideration – rather than applying to MEXT directly.
Which degree levels does the Japan Government MEXT Scholarship 2027 support?
The scholarship supports master’s degree programmes for two years (October 2027 to September 2029) and doctoral programmes for three years (October 2027 to September 2030).
When is the deadline for the Japan Government MEXT Scholarship 2027?
The application deadline is 31 October 2026; incomplete or late applications are not accepted, so applicants should begin the university admission process and document preparation well in advance.