MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship for Research Students
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) · All India
| Scheme Name | MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship for Research Students |
| Provided By | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters, PhD · No income limit |
Status check
The previous application cycle (2025–26) closed on 15 May 2026. The upcoming 2026–27 cycle is expected to open soon. We will update the links here as soon as the official notification is released.
View active scholarships you can apply for today →About the Program
Comprehensive guide for MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship for Research Students. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹10.3 Lakh+
The MEXT Scholarship for Research Students is fully funded, covering 100% of university entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition fees for the entire program duration. Scholars receive a generous monthly stipend to cover living expenses, which includes accommodation, food, and transportation. For the 2027 academic year intake, the monthly stipend is approximately ¥143,000 for non-degree research students, ¥144,000 for Master's/Professional Degree students, and ¥145,000 for Doctoral Degree students. At an approximate exchange rate of 1 JPY = Rs. 0.59 (as of April 29, 2026), this translates to approximately Rs. 84,100 to Rs. 85,550 per month. An additional regional allowance of ¥2,000 or ¥3,000 per month (around Rs. 2,000) may be provided for grantees studying in specially designated regions. The scholarship also includes a round-trip economy-class airfare from your nearest international airport in India to Japan at the start of the program and back upon completion. The amount of payment and scholarship is subject to change each fiscal year due to the Japanese Government's budgetary situation. Disbursement is typically on a monthly basis. There is no mention of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts, as the stipend is for living expenses in Japan for international students.
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Nationality:Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. Individuals holding Japanese nationality at the time of application are not eligible. Dual nationals must renounce their Japanese nationality by the date of their arrival in Japan.
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Age Limit:Applicants must have been born on or after April 2, 1992 (for the 2027 intake).
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Target Degree Levels:The scholarship is for graduate or post-graduate students intending to pursue a Master's or Doctoral degree, or to conduct research as non-degree research students at a Japanese institution.
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For Master's study:Applicants must have completed 16 years of formal education or an academic program equivalent to a Bachelor's degree of at least 3 years.
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For Doctoral study:Applicants must hold a Master's degree or an overseas degree equivalent to a Master's or professional degree.
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Health:Applicants must submit a health certificate in the prescribed format, signed by a physician, attesting to no physical or mental conditions hindering study in Japan.
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Japanese Language:Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese and adapt to living in Japan.
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Arrival in Japan:Applicants must be able to arrive in Japan within the periods specified by MEXT (typically April 1-7, 2027, or during the period specified by the accepting university for the September/October 2027 term).
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters, PhD |
| Course / Stream | Masters, PhD |
| Minimum Marks | 65% |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓MEXT Scholarship Application Form (for FY2027)
- ✓Placement Preference Application Form
- ✓Field of Study and Research Plan
- ✓Academic transcripts for all academic years of university attended (original or certified copies)
- ✓Certification of graduation or degree certificate (or proof of expected graduation)
- ✓Recommendation Letter(s) from president/dean or academic advisor (at least one original and two copies, or two letters)
- ✓Certificate of Health (in prescribed format, signed by a physician)
- ✓Abstract of undergraduate or Master's thesis (for Research Student applicants)
- ✓Proof of language proficiency (Japanese or English, if available)
- ✓Passport-sized photographs
Selection Process
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Candidates are primarily selected through the Embassy Recommendation track, which involves a multi-stage process
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Initially, a preliminary application form is submitted
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This is followed by a rigorous first screening conducted by the Embassy of Japan in India, which includes a review of application documents, written examinations (typically English, Japanese, and subjects related to the chosen field), and a personal interview
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Successful candidates in the first screening are then required to obtain a Letter of Provisional Acceptance from a Japanese university where they wish to conduct their research
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Following this, a final (second) screening is conducted by MEXT in Japan
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Final results are usually announced between January and March for the intake in April, September, or October of the following year
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An alternative is the University Recommendation track, where a Japanese university directly nominates a candidate, often requiring a prior connection with a professor or lab.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship for Research Students can last for up to two years, with the possibility of extending to full Master's or Doctoral degree programs
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For regular students admitted into Master's or Doctoral programs, the scholarship covers the full standard period of study required to complete the respective program
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Extension of the scholarship period may be granted if a grantee demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and passes a successful examination by MEXT, particularly for those who transition from a specialized training college to a national university
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For certain University Recommendation tracks, scholars might need to maintain a minimum GPA (e.g., 2.30 out of 3.00) to retain the scholarship annually.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Monitor Official Announcements
Regularly check the Embassy of Japan in India's official website (www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/Education/japanese_government_scholarships.html) for the MEXT Scholarship announcement. The application period for the Research Students track typically opens around April-May for the intake of the following academic year (e.g., April-May 2026 for 2027 intake).
- 2Download Official Application Forms
Once the announcement is made, download the most current year's application forms and guidelines directly from the Embassy's website. Ensure you do not use forms from previous years.
- 3Prepare Required Documents
Gather and meticulously prepare all necessary documents. These generally include: * Completed MEXT Application Form. * Placement Preference Form. * Field of Study and Research Program Plan (research proposal). This is a crucial document, requiring a clear outline of your research theme and plan. * Academic transcripts and certificates from all post-secondary institutions attended (attested copies of mark sheets and degree certificates from Bachelor's degree onward, with grades converted to percentages). * Two or three letters of recommendation (typically from academic supervisors, university presidents, deans, or faculty advisors; and current employer if applicable). These must be original, signed letters. Photocopies, PDFs, or digital signatures are usually not accepted. * Abstracts of theses or major research work. * Certificate of Health (filled out by a professional medical doctor on MEXT's prescribed form). * A copy of your valid passport (valid for at least one year beyond your intended stay). * Recent passport-sized photographs. * Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) certificate, if available (not mandatory but beneficial).
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Submit Preliminary Application (if applicable): For the 2027 intake, candidates were required to submit a preliminary application form via email to scholarship-india@nd.mofa.go.jp by the specified deadline.
- 5Submit Full Application
Send the complete set of printed application documents by post, courier, or in person to the designated address of the Embassy or Consulate of Japan in India. Applications sent by email are not accepted for the full application.
- 6First Screening (Written Exam & Interview)
Shortlisted candidates will be notified for a written examination and an interview. The written tests are typically held in June-July and the interviews in early July. The Embassy publishes lists of candidates called for tests and interviews on its website.
- 7Secure Provisional Acceptance
If you pass the first screening, Research Students must obtain a Letter of Provisional Acceptance from a Japanese university. This usually involves contacting various universities and professors in Japan to secure their acceptance for your research.
- 8Second Screening
MEXT in Japan conducts a final review of the recommended candidates and their university acceptances.
- 9Final Result & Arrival
The final selection results are announced between January and March (for the 2027 intake, this would be January-March 2027). Successful candidates will then make arrangements to travel to Japan, typically in April, September, or October. Status Tracking Guide: The Embassy of Japan in India usually updates its official website with lists of shortlisted candidates for each stage of the selection process. It is crucial to regularly check the Embassy's website for updates as individual notifications might not be sent at every stage. For specific queries, the Japan Information Centre (JIC) at the Embassy can be contacted via the provided email addresses.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to know Japanese to apply for the MEXT Research Scholarship?
No prior Japanese language proficiency is mandatory to apply, especially for English-taught programs. However, having Japanese language ability can strengthen your application. A Japanese language exam is typically part of the selection process, and successful candidates for undergraduate and preparatory programs often receive a one-year intensive Japanese language course upon arrival in Japan.
Does the MEXT Scholarship cover all my expenses?
Yes, the MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded program. It covers 100% of university entrance examination, admission, and tuition fees. It also provides a generous monthly stipend to cover living expenses (such as accommodation, food, and transportation) and includes a round-trip economy-class airfare from your nearest international airport in India to Japan at the start and end of your program. A supplemental regional allowance may also be provided for students studying in specially designated regions.
How do I track my application status for the MEXT Scholarship?
The Embassy of Japan in India typically publishes lists of shortlisted candidates for the written tests and interviews on its official website. Applicants are strongly advised to regularly check the Embassy's website for updates, as individual notifications might not be sent at every stage of the screening process. For specific and genuine queries, you can contact the Japan Information Centre (JIC) at the Embassy via their official email addresses.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) website before final submission.