MEXT Scholarships
| Scholarship type: | Research (for graduate studies) | Undergraduate | Specialized Training College | Japanese Studies |
| Application period: | OPEN | OPEN | OPEN | CLOSED |
| Application for 2027 scholarships opens in: | Mid-April 2026 | Mid-April 2026 | Mid-April 2026 | January 2027 |
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Not a citizen of the United States? Please click HERE for links to Japan’s embassies and consulates.
GENERAL INFORMATION, MEXT, STUDYING IN JAPAN
MEXT Scholarships
Students from approximately 190 countries and regions around the world have studied in Japan under the Japanese Government’s Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship program since its establishment in 1954.
Planning Ahead
Up to 16 months separate the scholarship application period from commencement of studies in Japan. Please plan ahead.
Preparing
Since application periods for our scholarships open only once per year and remain open only a few weeks, applicants may like to familiarize themselves with the application process in advance. Please feel free to read the previous year’s Application Guidelines and forms, which are left available until the next year’s materials are posted. Note, however, that past materials are not valid for future use, so use them for informational purposes only.
Eligibility
MEXT scholarships are internationally focused. Those possessing Japanese citizenship (even dual citizenship) at the time of departure are ineligible.
Unavoidable Circumstances
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 or the above timeline, at any time before or after notification of the results of the final selection.
Different Paths to MEXT Scholarships: Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation
-“Embassy Recommendation” refers to application for MEXT scholarships through Japanese embassies and consulates throughout the world. The site you are reading now is connected to Embassy Recommendation.
-“University Recommendation” refers to application for MEXT scholarships through universities. Not all universities participate in the MEXT scholarship system, so please contact the university of your interest to find out more.
Links to other ways to study in Japan and other scholarship programs
- Study in Japan: A Guide for U.S. Students is an introductory guide by the Embassy of Japan
- Study in Japan by Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) is a thorough, regularly updated guide.
- Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) is a hub for prospective, actual, and former students in Japan
- Scholarships for Study in Japan by JASSO links to a pamphlet listing three different kinds of scholarships
- Fulbright Program in Japan (Japan-U.S. Educational Commission)
- Japan Foundation: Japanese Studies Fellowship Programs (for US Applicants)
Contacting our office
If you have more questions, please contact the MEXT Scholarship coordinator in Los Angeles at mext@ls.mofa.go.jp or by phone at 213-617-6700, ext. 336. Our address is:
MEXT Scholarships Desk
Consulate General of Japan
350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90071 U.S.A.
Research Students Scholarship
Applications are currently OPEN. Applications for the MEXT Research Students Scholarship open in April, for programs beginning in April or September/October of the following year.
The Research Students scholarship offers college graduates and graduate students the opportunity to study and research a specific field to obtain a master’s or doctorate degree at a Japanese university. The scholarship covers tuition, airfare to Japan, and provides a living stipend for a period of up to two years. Applicants should apply for the field of study they majored in at university or a related field(s).
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Birthdate on or after April 2, 1992
- Bachelor’s degree by April or September 2027
- Please read the Application Guidelines for more detailed descriptions and additional requirements!
How to Apply
Applicants should carefully read the Application Guidelines and Forms for official details about the scholarship.
- 2027 MEXT Research Students Scholarship Application Guidelines and Forms (Official documents)
- Research Students Checklist (for avoiding common mistakes)
- See “APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES,” below.
| Availability of Applications | Application Deadline | Exams | Interviews |
| Mid- to late April | June 3, 2026 (W), 3:30 p.m. (Received) | June 17, 2026 (W) | [TBD in June] |
Examinations and Interviews
Details regarding written exams and interviews are announced to applicants upon receipt and review of the application documents. Exams and, typically, interviews are conducted in person. The exam covers the subject of Japanese Language. For your information, sample examination questions from previous years can be found here.*Applicants who only select academic programs which are conducted exclusively in English are exempt from the Japanese language written test. (Read Application Guidelines, Section 10(3).
Timeline (Research Students Scholarship)
| April | Availability of MEXT Scholarship application documents |
|---|---|
| Early June | Application submission deadline, after which applications are not accepted |
| Mid-June | Exams and interviews for applicants who successfully pass the document screening stage |
| Late July/Aug. | Notifications of results of First Screening. Successful applicants await results of Second Screening |
| January-March | Notification of results of Second Screening |
| March | Making of scholarship awardees’ travel arrangements |
| April or Sept./Oct. | Scholars’ departure for Japan! |
- Please read the Application Guidelines and Checklist for full details on how to apply.
- See APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES, below, for other important notes.
- Check GENERAL INFORMATION, MEXT, STUDYING IN JAPAN for general notes and other sources of information about studying in Japan.
Undergraduate Students Scholarship
Applications are currently OPEN. Applications for the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship open in April, for programs beginning in April of the following year.
The Undergraduate Students scholarship is for high school seniors or recent graduates who want to pursue an undergraduate degree in Japan. The scholarship covers tuition, airfare to Japan, and provides a living stipend for a period of up to five years. It is available for students pursuing various majors in the Social Sciences/Humanities or Natural Sciences.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Birthdate on or after April 2, 2002
- Completion of high school diploma (or equivalent) by March 2027
- Please read the Application Guidelines for more detailed descriptions and additional requirements!
How to Apply
Applicants should carefully read the Application Guidelines and Forms for official details about the scholarship.
- 2027 MEXT Undergraduate Students Scholarship Application Guidelines & Forms (Official documents)
- Undergraduate Students Checklist (for avoiding common mistakes)
- See “APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES,” below.
| Availability of Applications | Application Deadline | Exams | Interviews |
| Mid- to late April | June 3, 2026 (W), 3:30 p.m. (Received) | June 24, 2026 (W) | [TBD in June] |
Examinations and Interviews
Details regarding written exams and interviews are announced to applicants upon receipt and review of the application documents. Exams and, typically, interviews are conducted in person. Exams cover the subjects of Japanese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and potentially others. For your information, sample examination questions from previous years can be found here.Timeline (Undergraduate Students Scholarship)
| April | Availability of MEXT Scholarship application documents |
|---|---|
| Early June | Application submission deadline, after which applications are not accepted |
| Mid-June | Exams and interviews for applicants who successfully pass the document screening stage |
| Late July/Aug. | Notifications of results of First Screening. Successful applicants await results of Second Screening |
| January-March | Notification of results of Second Screening. Afterward, notification of placement |
| March | Making of scholarship awardees’ travel arrangements |
| April or Sept./Oct. | Scholars’ departure for Japan! |
- Please read the Application Guidelines and Checklist for full details on how to apply.
- See APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES, below, for other important notes.
- Check GENERAL INFORMATION, MEXT, STUDYING IN JAPAN for general notes and other sources of information about studying in Japan.
Specialized Training College Students Scholarship
Applications are currently OPEN. Applications for the MEXT Research Students Scholarship open in April, for programs beginning in April of the following year.
The Specialized Training College Scholarships offer high school graduates the opportunity to receive professional training in Japan in one of more than 20 majors. The scholarship covers tuition, airfare to Japan, and provides a living stipend for a period of three years.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Birthdate on or after April 2, 2002
- • Completion of high school diploma (or equivalent) by March 2027
- Please read the Application Guidelines for more detailed descriptions and additional requirements!
How to Apply
Applicants should carefully read the Application Guidelines and Forms for official details about the scholarship.
- 2027 MEXT Specialized Training College Students Scholarship Application Guidelines & Forms (Official documents)
- Specialized Training College Students Checklist (for avoiding common mistakes)
- See “APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES,” below.
| Availability of Applications | Application Deadline | Exams | Interviews |
| Mid- to late April | June 3, 2026 (W), 3:30 p.m. (Received) | June 24, 2026 (W) | [TBD in June] |
Examinations and Interviews
Details regarding written exams and interviews are announced to applicants upon receipt and review of the application documents. Exams and, typically, interviews are conducted in person. Exams cover the subjects of Japanese Language, English Language, and Mathematics. For your information, sample examination questions from previous years can be found here.Timeline (Specialized Training College Students Scholarship)
| April | Availability of MEXT Scholarship application documents |
|---|---|
| Early June | Application submission deadline, after which applications are not accepted |
| Mid-June | Exams and interviews for applicants who successfully pass the document screening stage |
| Late July/Aug. | Notifications of results of First Screening. Successful applicants await results of Second Screening |
| January-March | Notification of results of Second Screening. Afterward, notification of placement |
| March | Making of scholarship awardees’ travel arrangements |
| April or Sept./Oct. | Scholars’ departure for Japan! |
- Please read the Application Guidelines and Checklist for full details on how to apply.
- See APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES, below, for other important notes.
- Check GENERAL INFORMATION, MEXT, STUDYING IN JAPAN for general notes and other sources of information about studying in Japan.
Japanese Studies Students Scholarship
Applications are currently CLOSED. Applications for the MEXT Japanese Studies Students Scholarship open in January, for programs beginning in September/October of the same year.
The Japanese Studies Scholarship offers undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in university a one-year scholarship to study in Japan and enhance their language fluency and cultural knowledge. Applicants must be majoring in Japanese language, Japanese affairs, or Japanese culture.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Birthdate on or after April 2, 1996 and before or on April 1, 2008
- Current enrollment as undergraduate, majoring in Japanese studies
- Completion of at least one year of Japanese language/culture courses at a university as of September 1, 2026
- Please read the Application Guidelines for more detailed descriptions and additional requirements!
How to Apply
Applicants should carefully read the Application Guidelines and Forms for official details about the scholarship.
- 2026 MEXT Japanese Studies Scholarship Application Guidelines & Forms (Official documents)
- Japanese Studies Students Checklist (for avoiding common mistakes)
- See “APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES,” below.
| Availability of Applications | Application Deadline | Exams | Interviews |
| January | Feb. 13, 2026 (F), 3:30 p.m. (Received) | Feb. 24, 2026 (Tu) | [Same as exams] |
Examinations and Interviews
Details regarding written exams and interviews are announced to applicants upon receipt and review of the application documents. Exams and, typically, interviews are conducted in-person. The exam covers the subject of Japanese Language. For your information, sample examination questions from previous years can be found here.Timeline (Japanese Studies Students Scholarship)
| January | Availability of MEXT Scholarship application documents |
|---|---|
| Mid-February | Application submission deadline, after which applications are not accepted |
| Late-February | Exams and interviews for applicants who successfully pass the document screening stage |
| Late March | Notifications of results of First Screening. Successful applicants await results of Second Screening |
| Late May | Notification of results of Second Screening |
| July | Notification of university placement. |
| August | Making of scholarship awardees’ travel arrangements |
| Sept/Oct | Scholars’ departure for Japan! |
- Please read the Application Guidelines and Checklist for full details on how to apply.
- See APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES, below, for other important notes.
- Check GENERAL INFORMATION, MEXT, STUDYING IN JAPAN for general notes and other sources of information about studying in Japan.
APPLYING THROUGH THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES
Submission of documents –
Who? U.S. citizens who reside in Southern California or in ArizonaHow? Complete, all by hardcopy; together in one envelope
When? By 3:30 p.m. on the specified deadline. The deadline is for receipt of complete applications.
Where? By postal service, delivery service, or hand delivery* to:
MEXT Scholarships Desk
Consulate General of Japan
350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90071 U.S.A.
Exams –
In-person written examinations are by invitation and are according to the dates posted for each scholarship. (The Consulate General sends invitations by email after evaluating application materials.)Interviews –
As with the exams, interviews are by invitation and conducted in person.In other matters of the application, please consult the Application Guidelines for the relevant scholarship. Referring to the Checklist is a convenient way to avoid common errors, but the Guidelines are the final authority.
*If you would like to deliver your application packet by hand, please write mext@ls.mofa.go.jp in advance to make an appointment.
