Scholarships

2025 University Recommended Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship – General

In the scheme of the MEXT Scholarship with University Recommendation, each Japanese university will conduct the preliminary selection and recommend their candidates to MEXT. All prospective applicants’ first contact must be the university/graduate school where they wish to study.

Last updated: July 24, 2024

1. Qualifications and Conditions

Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo accepts applications from international students for study in Japan who satisfy the following qualifications and conditions. Its aim is to foster human resources who will become bridges of friendship between the recipient’s country and Japan through study in Japan and who will contribute to the development of both countries and the wider world.

(1) Number of Places

The number of applicants to be nominated by the Graduate School of Science to the University of Tokyo, as well as the number to be subsequently nominated by the University of Tokyo to MEXT, shall be finalized after the application period has closed. In the last round (application for 2024 entrance) each Graduate School was allowed to nominate at most one applicant, and the University of Tokyo was allowed to nominate at most three applicants to MEXT.

(2) Eligibility

International students with outstanding academic records (*1) who wish to enter Japan in October, 2025 as a new student (*2) to study in the Master's or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science. Additionally, applicants who have completed their admission application for entering the Master’s/Doctoral Program following the “Instructions for International Students applying to the Graduate School of Science (Special Selection for International Applicants)”

(*1)  Applicants who have already graduated from their latest degree program should have a final grade point of 2.30 or higher, while current students should have a grade point of 2.30 or higher for their current courses, and both should be expected to maintain the same academic standards during the course of the scholarship program.
* Grade points shall be calculated according to a formula specified by MEXT.
Furthermore, students must meet one of the criteria given under "(7) Language Proficiency" given below.
(*2)  Please refer to (11) Non-eligibility 5. to confirm your eligibility.

(3) Nationality

Applicants must have the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with the Japanese government. Applicants who have Japanese nationality at the time of application are ineligible. However, Japanese nationals that reside outside of Japan at the time of application, holding dual nationality with another country, and plan to renounce their Japanese nationality before arrival (equivalent to the time when they enroll as a student at a Japanese university), may apply.

(4) Age

In principle, applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1990.

(5) Academic background

Applicants must have the necessary qualifications to be admitted to the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo as a Master's or a Doctoral Program student.

(6) Field of Study

Applicants should apply for the field of study that they studied at their previous university or a related field. Applicants should select a field that they are able to research at their chosen host university in Japan.

(7) Language Proficiency

Applicants must meet one of the language requirements in either English or in Japanese as described below:

• English
  1. Holds an English proficiency test score equivalent to B2 or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale (e.g. TOEFL iBT 72 or above, IELTS 5.5 or above).
     * To see what counts as "B2 or above on the CEFR scale", please refer to the CEFR Equivalency Chart.:
     To see the CEFR Equivalency Chart, please click here.
  2. Has completed an educational program whose primary language of instruction is English that satisfies the entrance requirements to the Master's Program or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo.
• Japanese
  1. Has passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) with a score of N2 or higher.
  2. Has completed an educational program whose primary language of instruction is Japanese that satisfies the entrance requirements to the Master's Program or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo.

(8) Health

Applicants must be physically and mentally healthy enough to pursue their studies in Japan.

(9) Arrival in Japan

Applicants must, in principle, be able to arrive in Japan by a date specified by the accepting university which in principle shall be within two weeks before or after the first day of the semester (October 1) in the year specified by the accepting university.

If applicants cannot arrive in Japan by the date specified, they must withdraw their application unless under unavoidable circumstances as deemed by MEXT. Furthermore, if applicants travel outside of the period specified above due to personal reasons, the cost of travel will not be paid.

(10) Visa Requirements

An applicant shall, in principle, newly obtain a “Student” visa at the overseas establishment of Japan located in the applicant’s country of nationality and enter Japan with the residence status of “Student”. If the applicant lives in Japan exceptionally under a residence status other than “Student” before acceptance, the applicant must change his/her status to “Student” by the end of the previous month before the installment of scholarship payment. Please be aware that even if the applicant applies for the permanent-resident or long-term resident status of residence after the expiration of the status as a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship student, the possibility exists that the application may not be approved. Moreover, as the Japanese government requires pre-arrival tuberculosis screening for some countries, applicants obtaining a visa shall follow guidance at the overseas establishment of Japan located in the applicant’s country of nationality.

(11) Non-eligibility

Applicants in the following categories are ineligible for the Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship. They must decline the scholarship offer if they are found to fall under any one of the following criteria upon their selection.

1. An active member of the military or a civilian employed by the military.
2. An applicant who is unable to travel to Japan within the period designated by MEXT or the University of Tokyo.
3. Those who are previous recipients of Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship programs (including those who withdrew from the scholarship program after the acquisition of student status). However, this does not apply to those who wish to apply for Research Students program and meet any one of the following conditions. In addition, since the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students does not come under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship programs, the previous recipients can apply.
   • those who have at least three years of educational or work experience following the end of the payment of the previous scholarship and the start of this scholarship;
   • the past recipients of Japanese Studies Students program who have graduated or are going to graduate from universities in their home countries, Japan-Korea Joint Government Scholarship Program for the Students in Science and Engineering Departments and Young Leaders’ Program;
   • those who have obtained or are expected to obtain a degree as undergraduate students of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship programs (university recommendation/special selection).
4. An applicant who is also applying for a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for another AY2025 program.
5. An applicant who is residing in Japan.
6. An applicant who is planning to receive scholarship money from an organization other than MEXT (including a government organization of the applicant’s country) on top of the scholarship money provided by MEXT after the start of the scholarship payment (the acquisition of student status).
7. An applicant who is "expected to graduate by the entrance date" at the time of application but then cannot provide proof of completing a degree by the designated deadline.
8. A Japanese national who has dual nationality with another country, and is not able to provide proof of relinquishing Japanese nationality by the day of arrival.
9. An applicant who is, as of the time of application, planning a long period of fieldwork or internship in a country other than Japan or a long-term leave of absence, etc.
10. Those who do not intend to go on to regular (degree-seeking) programs
11. Those who do not plan on pursuing further academic degrees.

(12) Other Provisions

While they are studying in Japan, applicants are expected, as someone who will contribute to the globalization of Japan, to broadly participate in regional schools and activities to contribute towards the mutual understanding between their home country and Japan. Furthermore, they are expected to maintain a close link with the universities they studied at even after they have graduated and cooperate in various manners, such as answering questionnaires etc. Also, on returning to their home country, they must take part in the various activities organized by the Japanese government's missions overseas to enhance the relationship between Japan and their home country.

2. Period of Scholarships

(1)For a recipient who will enroll in a Master's Program or Doctoral Program, the scholarship will be payable for the standard period of time necessary for the recipient to complete his or her program (standard course term), starting from October 2025.

• Master's Program = October, 2025 - September, 2027 (2years)
• Doctoral Program = October, 2025 - September, 2028 (3years)

(2)Extension of the Scholarship Period

If a recipient in the Master's Program desires to proceed to the Doctoral Program, the period of the scholarship may be extended upon rigorous examination by MEXT, provided that the student has achieved outstanding academic performance that meets certain criteria. Please note that not all applicants will automatically be given an extension for scholarship, and that you should be aware of further reservations listed below;

• For the extension of the scholarship period to be approved, the recipient's application for extension must be accepted as well as the recipient passing the entrance examination to the graduate school of their choice and accepting their enrollment as regular (degree-seeking) student.
• The scholarship will be terminated if a recipient proceeds to another academic program without receiving permission for and extension of the scholarship (Note: it is possible for students to progress by becoming self-supported international students).
• Entering a graduate school of another university is not allowed when moving up to the Doctoral Program from a Master's program. (However, entering a graduate school of another university as a self-supporting student is permitted.)

3. Scholarship Benefits

(1) Allowance

The amounts of monthly stipend for AY2025 have yet to be determined. As an example, the monthly amounts for AY2024 will be presented below. (These amounts are subject to change depending on the size of the annual fiscal budget each year, commodity prices, etc.)

AY2024 actual amounts

144,000 yen/month (for a student of a Master's Program), or 145,000 yen/month (for a student of a Doctoral Program)
(an additional monthly stipend of 2,000 or 3,000 yen may be added to those students undertaking study or research in some designated regions of the country).

The scholarship will not be paid to a recipient during a leave of absence or a long absence from his or her university.

(2) Traveling Costs

[1]Transportation to Japan:

MEXT will stipulate the travel schedule and route, and provide an airline ticket. The airline ticket will be an economy-class ticket for the flight from the international airport closest to the recipient’s residence (in principle, the country of nationality) to an international airport in Japan used on the normal route to the accepting university. The recipient shall bear at their own expense all costs related to domestic travel from the recipient’s residence to the nearest international airport, airport taxes, airport usage fees, special taxes necessary for travel, travel expenses within Japan (including airline transit costs), travel insurance expenses, carry-on luggage or unaccompanied baggage expenses, etc. The recipient shall also bear at their own expense travel and lodging costs incurred in a third country if the recipient must travel to a third country before coming to Japan for visa purposes because there are no Japanese diplomatic missions in their country, and the Japanese diplomatic mission is closed in their country, or if there are no direct flights from the recipient’s country of residence to Japan. MEXT will provide an economy-class airline ticket from the recipient’s country of residence to the said third country, and from the third country to an international airport in Japan used on the normal route to the accepting university.

In principle, the address given in the space for “Your address before departure for Japan” on the application form shall be recognized as the “residence”, and the airline ticket will be arranged for a flight from the international airport nearest to that address. Except for cases when the recipient must travel to a third country to obtain a visa, MEXT will not provide an airline ticket for cases of travel to Japan from a country other than the recipient’s country of residence due to the recipient’s personal circumstances.

[2]Transportation from Japan:

In principle, MEXT will issue airline tickets to recipients who return to their home country within the final month of the scholarship period as specified in "2. Period of Scholarship" above upon application following their graduation from university.

Recipients will be provided with an economy class air ticket for a flight from Narita or Haneda International Airport (or an international airport the recipient's university normally uses) to the international airport closest to their place of return (in principle, within their home country). Please be aware that costs incurred for transportation from the recipient's residence to the nearest international airport in Japan; airport tax and surcharges; other special local taxes incurred when travelling; local travel expenses within Japan (including any costs if transferring by air); insurance premiums for travel to Japan; sending baggage as well as unaccompanied baggage; are the sole responsibility of the recipient.

Recipients who return to their home country before the end of the scholarship period for personal reasons or because of items as stipulated in 4. Suspension of Scholarship Payment below will not be provided with return airfare.

Note:

Traveling expenses will not be included in the travel allowance if a recipient decides to remain in Japan (for example; continuing the education at a higher level or entering employment in Japan) after the period of scholarship ends and temporarily leaves Japan.

(3) School Fees

Enrollment and Tuition fees will be exempted.

(4) Suspension of Scholarship Payment

The scholarship will be cancelled in the following cases. If a recipient receives the scholarship even though he or she is judged ineligible due to one of the following cases, the recipient may be ordered to return all or a part of scholarship money received. Please note that payment of the scholarship may be stopped during the time while decision is being made on the disciplinary action.

1. If any portion of the recipient's application documents is found to be false or wrongly stated.
2. If a recipient is in breach of his or her pledge made to the Minister of MEXT (Monbukagakusho).
3. Given life or more than one year of imprisonment with or without hard labor having been convicted of breaking the law in Japan.
4. If a recipient is punished by expulsion, suspension, admonishment, or any other similar disciplinary action, in accordance with the university rules.
5. If a student is deemed not to be able to complete the program within the standard duration due to unacceptable academic performance, student's suspension or student's leave of absence.
6. If a recipient does not obtain a new "Student" status before arriving in Japan or the recipient's resident status of "Student" changes to any other status.
7. If a recipient receives another scholarship (except for a scholarship designated for research expenses).
8. If a recipient proceeds to a higher academic program without obtaining permission to extend the scholarship period from MEXT.
9. If a recipient leaves the host university or is transferred to another graduate school.

4. Application & Screening

(1) Application Documents

Note：

Application Instructions

1. Applicants must submit the required documents for MEXT Scholarship after completing their admission application for entering the Master's/Doctoral Program, following the "Instructions for International Students applying to the Graduate School of Science (Special Selection for International Applicants)".
2. These documents must be written in either Japanese or English. They must be created in A4 format using software such as MS Word and must be printed double-sided (duplex printing). A document written in any other language must be accompanied with a Japanese translation.
3. Submitted documents will not be returned.
4. An application passed the submission deadline is not acceptable.
5. An application will not be considered unless all application forms and necessary documents are completed correctly and all accompanying documents are complete.
6. In some countries, a graduation certificate and other documents are issued by a government administrative office. In this case, the University of Tokyo may need to confirm with a student's previous university that the certificate issued contains no erroneous information.

(2) Nomination Process

After nomination by the Graduate School of Science, nominees for the MEXT selection will be decided in a selection process for the entire University of Tokyo. After the University of Tokyo nominates its candidates, the grantees will be decided upon screening at MEXT.

5. Application Period

From October 10 to October 31, 2024, Japan Standard Time
The electronic application must be submitted within the application period.

6. Application Submission Method & Contact Address

Applicants must submit the required documents to apply for the MEXT Scholarship after applying for admission to the Graduate School of Science (Master's/Doctoral Program). For an application to count, both MEXT scholarship application as well as the Graduate School of Science admission application must be completed before the application deadline through the respective online forms.

Electronic Application

To submit the electronic application, applicants must upload all application documents through the designated application form, as instructed below, before the application deadline. Note that other forms of submission such as via email will not be accepted.

7. Notification

The result will be notified to applicants according to the following schedule.

Notification of Nominees

The nominees selected by the Graduate School of Science will be notified by e-mail in mid-February, 2025. The unsuccessful candidates are also notified by e-mail.

The nominees selected at the University of Tokyo selection stage will be further notified by e-mail in April 2025. The candidates found unsuccessful at this stage are also notified by e-mail.

Official Notification of Grantees

On receipt of the official announcement of the decision by MEXT, the grantees will be notified in June, 2025(tentative). The unsuccessful nominees will also be notified.

[ Inquiry about the result ]

International Team, Academic Affairs Group, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

Email:

8. Other

• The recipient of this scholarship is guaranteed a room in the University of Tokyo International Lodge (furnished room with a rent of approximately 50,000 yen/month (Kashiwa), 60,000 yen/month (Komaba)) for the first one year (a student whose laboratory is located in Hongo Campus=Komaba Lodge, a student whose laboratory is located in Kashiwa Campus=Kashiwa Lodge).
• This application will close before MEXT announces its Application Guidelines for Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship 2025 by University Recommendation〔General Application〕. As such, details including but not limited to the result notification schedule are subject to change.
• In the event of unavoidable or unforeseen circumstances, the Japanese Government reserves the right to change or cancel the arrival date, scholarship, and contents of the application guidelines here within, at any time before or after notification of the results of the final selection. Unavoidable circumstances are defined as events whose effects could not reasonably be prevented or controlled by MEXT or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (including embassies and consulate generals of Japan) including but not limited to acts of God, acts of government (including local government, hereafter referred to as government), acts of government authorities (including limitations on travel or immigration enacted by the Japanese government or other foreign countries’ government due to occurrence of infectious disease), compliance with law, regulations or orders, fire, flooding and torrential rain, earthquakes, acts of war (with or without a declaration of war), revolts, revolutions or rebellions, strikes, or lockouts.
• If an applicant is judged not to meet the conditions for landing in Japan, they may be rejected.