APPLICATION GUIDELINES - JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2026 RESEARCH STUDENTS / UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Oct 5, 2026

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APPLICATION GUIDELINES for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program in 2026 define eligibility for both Research Students and Undergraduate Students under the University Recommendation/Special Selection track. The guidelines outline required academic standing, GPA thresholds, and language proficiency conditions, and describe special provisions for priority placement via an adopted program. They further specify nationality, age limits, academic background requirements, and how applicants related to domestic recommenders are handled, including restrictions on travel expense coverage.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Qualifications and Conditions

Eligibility (Research Students / Undergraduate Students)

Nationality

Age

Academic Background

Majors

Language Proficiency

APPLICATION GUIDELINES JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2026 RESEARCH STUDENTS / UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (UNIVERSITY RECOMMENDATION) [SPECIAL SELECTION] The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students as Research Students and Undergraduate Students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program (University Recommendation/Special Selection) as follows. This scholarship program is adopted under a “Special Program that conducts priority placements for MEXT scholarship students (hereinafter referred to an “adopted program”),” and is intended for those with period of priority placements in FY 2026. 1. QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS (1) Eligibility: Research Students: International students with outstanding academic achievements of graduate school level who enter Japan as new students or those already staying in Japan. Undergraduate Students: International students with outstanding academic achievements of undergraduate school level who enter Japan as new students and those already staying in Japan. * “International students with outstanding academic achievements” must have earned a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.30 or above in their degreed (for those who are employed) or currently enrolled courses, and be able to maintain that GPA while receiving the scholarship. Furthermore, applicants must meet any one of the language requirements stated in (6) Language Proficiency. * From the viewpoint of attracting the best international students, it is possible to nominate international students presently residing in Japan for priority placement (hereinafter referred to "domestic recommenders") . However, the number of domestic recommenders should not exceed 40% of total candidates. [Definition of "domestic recommenders"] ① Those who are staying in Japan with a medium-to long-term resident status at the time of application. Those who have their base of residence in Japan, not including tourists and short-term visitors who are staying in Japan for the purpose of taking entrance examinations, etc. It is irrelevant whether the applicant is residing in Japan from the time of after application to the start of scholarship payments. ② Applicants residing outside Japan at the time of application but will come to Japan as a privately financed international students before the start of receiving scholarship payments. * If you are or will be in Japan as a privately financed international student, you must complete your program at the school you are enrolled or plan to enroll in before receiving scholarship payments. * Travel expenses will not be paid for domestic recommenders, regardless of the reasons stated in ① and ②. If applicants return to their country of nationality after applying under condition ①, however, there are no exceptions if students return to Japan before scholarship payments begin. (2) Nationality: Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. Applicants who have Japanese nationality at the time of application are not eligible. However, persons with dual nationality who hold Japanese nationality and whose place of residence at the time of application is outside of Japan are eligible to apply as long as they choose the nationality of the other country and renounce their Japanese nationality by the date of their arrival in Japan (the acquisition of student status) . (3) Age: Research Students: Applicants, in principle, must be born on or after April 2, 1991. Undergraduate Students: Applicants, in principle, must be born on or after April 2, 2001. Exceptions are limited to cases in which MEXT deems that the applicant could not apply within the eligible age limit due to the situation or circumstances of the applicant’s country (military service obligation, loss of educational opportunities due to disturbances of war, etc.) . Personal circumstances (financi

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for the MEXT Scholarship (University Recommendation/Special Selection) for 2026 Research Students?

International students with outstanding graduate-level academic achievements who enter Japan as new students or are already staying in Japan are eligible, provided they meet GPA and language proficiency requirements.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for 2026 Undergraduate Students?

Applicants with outstanding undergraduate-level academic achievements who enter Japan as new students or are already staying in Japan must meet the GPA threshold and satisfy one of the listed language proficiency conditions.

What age and academic background requirements apply?

Research Students generally must be born on or after April 2, 1991, and Undergraduate Students on or after April 2, 2001, with limited exceptions. Research Students must satisfy admission conditions for a master’s or doctoral course, while Undergraduate Students must satisfy one of several schooling or enrollment eligibility conditions.

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher