Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at Kochi University of Technology 2026 | Fully Funded

The 2026 Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at KUT is one of the most popular doctoral opportunities in Japan for students who want to study engineering at a high level without worrying about tuition or living costs. The program supports international students for three full years while they carry out research directly under a chosen supervisor at Kochi University of Technology.

In this post, you will find everything you need to know about the SSP scholarship, who can apply, the benefits, required documents, the full application process, and the deadline.

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Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at KUT 2026 Summary

• Host Country: Japan
• Study Abroad: Study in Asia
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: All countries
• Reward: Full tuition exemption plus monthly stipend and travel support
• Deadline: April 10, 2026

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Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at KUT 2026 Details

The Special Scholarship Program is a fully funded doctoral program offered by the Graduate School of Engineering at Kochi University of Technology. The program lasts for three years and focuses on research. Each applicant must apply under a specific supervisor, so choosing the right supervisor is a key part of the process.

The program is taught in English, so you do not need to understand Japanese to qualify. The university only admits a small number of SSP students, and each supervisor can take no more than three SSP students at a time. This means the competition is strong, so applicants need to prepare well.

Students in this program work closely with a supervisor on approved research topics. At the end of every semester, students submit a report on their progress, which is reviewed by the school.

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Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at KUT 2026 Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the SSP program, you must meet all these conditions:

• You must first get permission from your preferred SSP supervisor
• You must hold a master’s degree or be on track to complete it before enrollment
• You must be 35 years old or younger at the time of enrollment
• You must have a strong academic record from reputable universities
• You must have the right research skills and interest in the chosen field
• You must have good English skills with one of these minimum test scores:
  TOEFL iBT 72 (Writing 17)
  IELTS 5.5 (Writing 5.5)
  CET 6 or WSK PETS 5
  Note: Some applicants may not need to submit English test results if they meet special conditions

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Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at KUT 2026 Benefits

The SSP scholarship covers almost every major cost of studying in Japan. Benefits include:

• Full exemption from the 15000 yen entrance exam fee
• Full exemption from the 300000 yen enrollment fee
• Full exemption from the 535800 yen per year tuition fee for all three years
• Monthly scholarship of 150000 yen to support your living expenses for the entire three year period
• Extra support of 150000 yen for travel and initial living costs. This is only for international applicants living outside Japan who will enter the country with a student visa

These benefits allow students to focus fully on research without financial worries.

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Required Documents for the Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at KUT 2026

KUT will only accept a formal application when your supervisor has agreed to support you. After that, you will need to prepare all required SSP documents, which usually include:

• Copy of email or message showing supervisor permission
• Signed pre-application request
• Original bachelor’s degree transcript
• Original master’s degree transcript
• Original master’s degree certificate
• Copy of master’s thesis or English abstract
• Research outline
• Two signed recommendation letters
• Health certificate
• English proficiency test result or exemption documents

Optional documents:

• Rank certificate
• Copies of publications
• Passport or other ID documents

Make sure your documents arrive by post before the deadline.

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How to Apply for the Special Scholarship Program (SSP) at KUT 2026 (Step-by-Step)

The most important part of this scholarship is the pre-application stage. If your preferred supervisor does not accept your request, you cannot apply.

Step 1: Check the SSP Supervisor List

Find supervisors whose research matches your interest. You can choose up to two supervisors.

Step 2: Fill the Online Pre-Application Request Form

Submit the form through the KUT Online Pre Application system. This form is sent directly to the supervisors you selected.

Step 3: Wait for Supervisor Response

If the supervisor does not reply within two weeks, your request is considered rejected. If the supervisor responds, reply quickly and professionally.

Step 4: Get Permission to Apply

You can only apply formally when a supervisor gives you permission.

Step 5: Prepare All Required Documents

Once you have permission, choose only one supervisor. Prepare every document carefully. This may take time, which is why KUT suggests sending your pre-application request at least 8 weeks before the formal deadline.

Step 6: Submit Your Formal Application by Post

All documents must reach KUT before the deadline. Late submissions are not accepted.

Step 7: Take the Interview and Subject Exam

If your documents pass screening, you will be invited for an interview and an exam. These may be done online through Webex or another tool.

Step 8: Final Admission Decision

The university will review your overall performance and give the final result.

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Deadline

April 10, 2026

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