Japanese Government MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 Japan (Fully Funded)

Description

The MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026, offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, is now accepting applications. This prestigious fully funded scholarship provides international students the opportunity to study at leading Japanese universities with all expenses covered. Applications must be submitted through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country by the locally specified deadline.

What is the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship?

This scholarship supports international students aiming to pursue Bachelor’s degrees in Japan, either in Social Sciences and Humanities or Natural Sciences. Selected candidates will begin their studies with a 1-year intensive Japanese language and preparatory program, followed by a 4-year (or longer) undergraduate degree program.

Degree Level

Japanese Government MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026, Japan (Fully Funded) is available to undertake Undergraduate, Bachelor level programs at Japan Universities.

Scholarship Duration

1. 5 Years: For most fields (1 year language + 4 years bachelor’s)
2. 7 Years: For medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and 6-year pharmacy programs
3. 4–6 Years: For direct placement candidates​

Available Subjects

Applicants must choose one of the following tracks:

Social Sciences and Humanities

1. Course A: Law, Politics, Pedagogy, Sociology, Literature, History, Japanese Language
2. Course B: Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance

Natural Sciences

1. Course A: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering fields
2. Course B: Agriculture, Animal Science, Pharmacy, Nursing, Biology
3. Course C: Medicine, Dentistry

Note: Music and other arts-related majors are not eligible​

Education Pathway

1. Preparatory Education (1 year): Japanese language, math, science/social sciences depending on major
2. University Education (4–7 years): Full undergraduate degree in Japanese (some direct placements may be in English)
3. Direct Placement: Possible for applicants with high Japanese proficiency or specific university programs allowing direct entry​.

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Benefits

1. Monthly Stipend: ¥117,000 (plus ¥2,000–¥3,000 for designated regions)
2. Full Tuition Waiver: No entrance or tuition fees
3. Round-trip Airfare: Economy-class ticket to and from Japan
4. Accommodation support: Provided by some universities or arranged privately

Eligible Nationalities

This scholarship is open to international students of all nationalities except Japanese.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026, you must:

1. Be a national of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan
2. Be born on or after April 2, 2001
3. Have completed 12 years of schooling or equivalent by March or August 2026
4. Be in good physical and mental health
5. Be willing to study in Japanese and engage in cultural understanding
6. Be able to arrive in Japan in April 2026 (or September/October for direct placements)

Applicants with dual nationality must renounce Japanese nationality before arrival​.

Application Procedure

Required Documents

1. Application form (FY2026 version)
2. Academic transcripts
3. Graduation or expected graduation certificate
4. Recommendation letter
5. Medical certificate (MEXT format)
6. Language proficiency (if available)
7. Direct Placement Form (if applying for direct placement)
8. Certificate of enrollment (if currently enrolled)​

All documents must be submitted in Japanese or English, or with official translations.

Selection Process

1. First Screening (by Embassy): Document review, written exams (Japanese, English, Math, and science subjects), and interview
2. Second Screening (by MEXT Japan): Final selection
3. Final Results: Announced after January 2026 via Japanese Embassy​

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country. Check their official website for exact deadlines and procedures.

Why Apply for the MEXT Scholarship?

1. Access to world-class education in Japan
2. Experience rich culture and innovation
3. Full financial support with no repayment obligation
4. A pathway to future graduate studies or career opportunities in Japan