MEXT Scholarship Applications Open!
MEXT Research Scholarship
Applicants must explain their intended field of study in the application and should take care to explain why they wish to complete their degree in Japan and how their research will benefit US-Japan relations. It should be related to their undergraduate field of study and should be a program which they can pursue at a Japanese university.
The scholarship is open to students pursuing any major and is typically for a period of two years or the length of time to complete the degree program, including a six-month term of intensive Japanese language training.
The term of the 2027 MEXT Research Scholarship is from April 2027 to March 2028 with the possibility of extension. Applicants should research universities in Japan before applying to understand what programs are available and whether they will accept international students.
Eligibility Requirements:
- *U.S. citizenship and residence in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of ColumbiaIf the desired language of instruction is Japanese, the applicant must be able to travel to the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC for the First Screening.
- Born on or after April 2, 1992
- Completion of an undergraduate degree before the term of the scholarship begins
Deadline: May 21th, 2026
MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship
Applicants must indicate their intended program of study (major) in the application. The scholarship is open to students pursuing any major and is intended to provide the student with a one-year program of intensive Japanese study and then complete an undergraduate degree (typically a four-year program), for five years on the scholarship. Individuals who already have knowledge of the Japanese language sufficient to function in an academic setting may choose to opt out of the one-year intensive study of Japanese language.
The term of the 2027 MEXT Undergraduate Studies Scholarship is from April 2027 to March 2032. The scholarship period for those majoring in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or a six-year course in pharmacy is from April 2027 to March 2033.
Applicants should research universities in Japan before applying to understand what programs are available and whether they will accept international students.
Eligibility Requirements:
- *U.S. citizenship and residence in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia
- The applicant must be able to travel to the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC for the First Screening and to obtain visa prior to departure.
- Born on or after April 2, 2002
- Completion of high school diploma (or equivalent) by March 2027
Deadline: May 21th, 2026