Japanese funding centres on the MEXT government scholarship, which can be applied for through two entirely separate routes with different deadlines, different selection processes and different odds. Choosing the wrong route is the most common avoidable mistake applicants make here.
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No opportunity in this group is currently open. The upcoming list below tracks the next confirmed cycles.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Master of Public Policy, International Program is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for October 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Master of Public Policy MP1 or MP2 is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for October 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Asia Pacific Studies or International Cooperation Policy is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for September 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Master in Economics is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for September 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Asian Public Policy Program is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for September 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – MA International Public Policy is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for October 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Systems Engineering and Design Management is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for September 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Master of Economics is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for April 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – MSc Engineering or Science is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for September 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program – Human Security and Environmental Studies is an institution-specific route under the ADB–Japan Scholarship Program for September 2027 intake. Eligible applicants first seek admission through the participating institution, which evaluates applications and forwards scholarship nominations under the ADB programme procedures.
Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and Technology Japan
A fully funded scholarship from Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and Technology Japan. Japanese Government scholarship. Full benefit details are contained in the official 2027 guidelines.
Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and Technology Japan
The official MEXT 2027 embassy-recommendation route covers research students arriving in April or September/October 2027. Embassies and consulates set country-specific application deadlines and first-screening schedules.
JapanMaster’s, Doctoral, PostdoctoralDeadline to be confirmed
MEXT covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, and return airfare, with no requirement to return home afterwards. JASSO honours scholarships provide a smaller monthly allowance to privately financed students already enrolled. University awards are typically tuition reductions of 30–100 percent.
Eligibility
Eligibility patterns to check first
MEXT has two routes: embassy recommendation, applied for in your own country, and university recommendation, applied for through a Japanese university.
MEXT applies age limits, commonly under 35 for research students at the time of application.
Embassy-route applicants must usually be citizens of a country with Japanese diplomatic relations and apply in that country.
Japanese language ability is required for some fields and waived for others; the field matters more than the level.
University-route applicants normally need a prospective supervisor's acceptance first.
Deadlines
How the deadlines work
Embassy-route MEXT applications typically open in April–May for arrival the following year, with dates published by each embassy. University-route deadlines are set by each institution and commonly fall between December and February.
Applying
Application advice for this search
Decide between the embassy and university route early; the timelines do not overlap.
Contact a prospective supervisor before applying through the university route.
Check your own embassy's page for the deadline that governs your application.
Prepare a field-of-study plan, which carries more weight in MEXT selection than a general personal statement.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Which MEXT route should I apply through?
The embassy route generally has more places but adds written examinations and interviews in your own country. The university route depends entirely on securing a supervisor and an institutional nomination. Many applicants attempt both across different years.
Do I need Japanese for a MEXT scholarship?
Not always. Many research and graduate programmes are taught or supervised in English, and MEXT includes a preparatory Japanese language course. Undergraduate and some professional fields do require Japanese proficiency.
