University of Tokyo 2027 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship | Fully Funded

The University of Tokyo 2027 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is open to international students from any country with diplomatic relations with Japan who want to pursue a fully funded Master’s or Doctoral degree at the Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, starting in October 2027. This is a University Recommendation scholarship — meaning the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo conducts its own preliminary selection and nominates candidates to MEXT, rather than applicants applying directly to the Japanese government. Your first and most important step is to contact the Graduate School of Science directly and complete the admission application for the Master’s or Doctoral Program under the Special Selection for International Applicants process before submitting your MEXT scholarship application. Both applications must be completed before the deadline.

Also Read: SIIT Graduate Scholarship | Fully Funded

The application period runs from 15 October to 30 October 2026 (Japan Standard Time), and only electronic applications submitted through the online form are accepted — email submissions are not considered. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend of approximately ¥144,000 for Master’s students and ¥145,000 for Doctoral students (based on AY2026 rates, subject to change for AY2027), return economy class airfare between your home country and Japan, and guaranteed on-campus accommodation at the University of Tokyo International Lodge for your first year, at approximately ¥50,000 to ¥70,000 per month in rent. The scholarship does not cover domestic travel costs to your nearest international airport, airport taxes, carry-on luggage fees, or other incidental travel expenses — these are your responsibility.

To be eligible, you must have a grade point average of 2.30 or higher in your most recent degree programme, meet the English (TOEFL iBT 72+ or IELTS 5.5+) or Japanese (JLPT N2+) language requirements, be born on or after 2 April 1992, and be applying for a field related to your previous study. You must not currently be residing in Japan at the time of application, must not be a previous MEXT scholarship recipient (with limited exceptions), and must not be a serving military member. The Graduate School of Science nominates selected candidates in mid-February 2027, the University of Tokyo makes its final nomination in April 2027, and MEXT announces final grantees in June 2027.

Check Out: Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarships in UK | How to Apply

Summary of the University of Tokyo 2027 Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship

About the University of Tokyo 2027 Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship

The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is one of the most respected government scholarship programmes in the world, funded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Under the University Recommendation scheme, each Japanese university conducts its own preliminary selection from among applicants who have already applied for admission to that university’s graduate programmes. The University of Tokyo then nominates its top candidates to MEXT for final selection.

The University of Tokyo — known in Japan as Todai — is Japan’s most prestigious research university and is ranked in the top 30 universities globally by the QS World University Rankings 2025. The Graduate School of Science covers fields including mathematics, physics, astronomy, earth and planetary science, chemistry, and biological sciences, and is one of the strongest science faculties in Asia.

This scholarship is specifically offered by the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo and is for students wishing to enter Master’s or Doctoral programmes in science-related fields. Applications for this scholarship close before MEXT announces its own general Application Guidelines for the 2027 University Recommendation scheme, meaning some details — including the result notification schedule — are subject to change as MEXT finalises its own guidelines. Monitor the official Graduate School of Science page and contact [email protected] for the most current information.

Check Out: Human Rights Scholarship in Australia | Fully Funded

What the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship Covers

The scholarship provides the following:

• Full exemption from enrollment and tuition fees for the entire duration of your Master’s or Doctoral programme
• A monthly stipend of approximately ¥144,000 for Master’s students and ¥145,000 for Doctoral students, based on AY2026 rates. The AY2027 amounts have not yet been confirmed and are subject to change depending on the annual fiscal budget and commodity prices. An additional ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 per month may apply for students undertaking research in designated regional areas of Japan
• Return economy class airfare — one ticket from the international airport nearest to your home residence to an international airport in Japan at the start of your scholarship, and one return ticket at the end of your scholarship period upon graduation
• Guaranteed accommodation at the University of Tokyo International Lodge for your first year of study — approximately ¥50,000 per month at Kashiwa Lodge or ¥70,000 per month at Komaba Lodge, depending on the campus location of your laboratory

Also Read: Schwarzman Scholarship Program in China | Fully Funded

The scholarship does not cover the following costs, which are your responsibility:

• Domestic travel from your residence to your nearest international airport
• Airport taxes, airport usage fees, and special travel taxes
• Travel expenses within Japan, including any air transit costs
• Travel insurance
• Carry-on luggage and unaccompanied baggage fees
• Visa application fees and any travel costs required to obtain a visa from a third country where Japan has no diplomatic mission

The scholarship will not be paid during any period of leave of absence or long absence from the university.

Join Lucy’s Scholarship Mentorship Group

Get step-by-step guidance, live group reviews, and exclusive support to find, apply, and win global scholarships.

Join Now, Let's Waka Together →

Eligibility Requirements for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship

You must meet all of the following to apply:

• You must be an international student wishing to enter Japan in October 2027 as a new student to study in the Master’s or Doctoral Programme at the Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo
• You must have an outstanding academic record — a grade point average of 2.30 or higher calculated according to MEXT’s grading formula in your most recently completed or current degree programme
• You must hold the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with the Japanese government. Japanese nationals are ineligible, with one exception: Japanese nationals with dual citizenship who reside outside Japan at the time of application and plan to renounce their Japanese nationality before arriving in Japan may apply
• You must, in principle, have been born on or after 2 April 1992
• You must have the academic qualifications required for admission to the Graduate School of Science as a Master’s or Doctoral Programme student
• You must apply for a field of study that you studied at your previous university or a closely related field, and which you are able to research at the University of Tokyo
• You must meet one of the language proficiency requirements below
• You must be physically and mentally healthy enough to pursue studies in Japan
• You must be able to arrive in Japan within two weeks before or after 1 October 2027

Language proficiency — English route:

• TOEFL iBT 72 or above, IELTS 5.5 or above, or an equivalent score at CEFR B2 level or above
• Or completion of an undergraduate or graduate programme whose primary language of instruction was English, which satisfies the entry requirements for the Graduate School of Science

Language proficiency — Japanese route:

• Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 or higher
• Or completion of an undergraduate or graduate programme whose primary language of instruction was Japanese, which satisfies the entry requirements for the Graduate School of Science

You are NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

• You are an active military member or civilian employed by the military
• You are unable to arrive in Japan within the designated period
• You are a previous MEXT scholarship recipient, unless you meet specific exceptions listed in the official eligibility document
• You are also applying for another AY2027 MEXT scholarship programme
• You are currently residing in Japan under a mid- to long-term residence status at the time of application
• You are planning to receive any other Japanese government scholarship or fellowship after the start of your scholarship payment
• You are expected to graduate by the entrance date but cannot provide proof of degree completion by the required deadline
• You are a Japanese dual national who cannot provide proof of relinquishing Japanese nationality before arrival
• You are planning a long period of fieldwork, internship outside Japan, or long-term leave of absence
• You do not intend to pursue a regular degree-seeking programme
• You do not plan to pursue further academic degrees

Applicants from the Philippines, Nepal, and Vietnam are subject to Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS) and must submit a Certificate of Non-Tuberculosis at the time of visa application, in line with MEXT’s administrative notice dated 24 March 2025.

Check Out: University of Texas Scholarship in USA | Fully Funded

Required Documents for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship

All documents must be in Japanese or English, created in A4 format using software such as MS Word, and printed double-sided. Documents in any other language must be accompanied by a Japanese translation. Submitted documents will not be returned.

Download the application form here and the Field of Study and Research Plan form here.

• Application form — must be printed double-sided. Download here. Note that applicants may be asked to revise and resubmit the original application form in December 2026
• Field of Study and Research Plan — Download here
• Letter of recommendation from a dean or above at your current or most recent university — must be addressed to “the President of the University of Tokyo,” printed on official university letterhead, and signed by a dean or above. Digital signatures are not acceptable
• Passport-type photograph taken within the last six months (4.5 x 3.5 cm, upper body, full face, no cap) — write your name and nationality on the back and attach it to the application form. Electronic format is also acceptable
• Official transcript from your last university or graduate school. If currently enrolled, submit transcripts from both your last completed degree and your current programme. Include an official document explaining the grading system if it is not shown on your transcript
• Proof of language proficiency — TOEFL, IELTS, or JLPT score report, or a language of education certificate from your previous university confirming English or Japanese as the medium of instruction
• Abstract of your graduation thesis — concise and to the point
• Official statement of graduation or expected graduation from your last university attended, including the expected graduation date if you will graduate after submitting your application
• Copy of your passport — the photo page only

Apply For: Cranfield International Scholarships in UK | How to Apply

How to Apply for the University of Tokyo Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship

This application has two parallel components that must both be completed before the deadline: the MEXT scholarship application and the Graduate School of Science admission application. Both must be submitted through their respective online forms before 30 October 2026.

1. Before anything else, apply for admission to the Graduate School of Science Master’s or Doctoral Programme by following the Instructions for International Students applying to the Graduate School of Science (Special Selection for International Applicants). This must be completed first or in parallel with your MEXT application.
2. Download the MEXT application form and the Field of Study and Research Plan and complete them in full.
3. Prepare all required supporting documents — transcript, language proficiency certificate, recommendation letter, graduation certificate or expected graduation statement, thesis abstract, and passport copy — all scanned and saved as PDF files in the format required by the online application form.
4. Submit your complete electronic application by uploading all documents through the Online Form for MEXT Electronic Application before 30 October 2026 (Japan Standard Time). Email submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
5. Check the automated confirmation email that arrives after submission to confirm your application has been received.

Apply For: University of Manchester Humanitarian Scholarships in UK | Fully Funded

Contact for enquiries about the application and results:
International Team, Academic Affairs Group, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
Email: [email protected]

Selection Process and Notification Timeline

The selection runs in three stages:

Stage 1 — Graduate School of Science selection: The Graduate School of Science reviews all applications and notifies nominees and unsuccessful candidates by email in mid-February 2027.

Stage 2 — University of Tokyo selection: Nominees from Stage 1 go through a university-wide selection process. The University of Tokyo’s final nominees and unsuccessful candidates from this stage are both notified by email in April 2027.

Stage 3 — MEXT final selection: MEXT reviews all University of Tokyo nominees and announces final grantees in June 2027 (tentative). Unsuccessful nominees are also notified at this stage.

In the last scholarship cycle (AY2026 entrance), each Graduate School was permitted to nominate at most one applicant, and the University of Tokyo was permitted to nominate at most three applicants to MEXT in total. These quotas may change for AY2027.

Scholarship Period

• Master’s Programme: October 2027 to September 2029 (2 years)
• Doctoral Programme: October 2027 to September 2030 (3 years)

Master’s students who wish to proceed to the Doctoral Programme may apply for a scholarship extension. Extension is not automatic — it requires outstanding academic performance meeting MEXT’s specific criteria, a successful application for extension, and passing the Doctoral Programme entrance examination. Entering a different university’s graduate school when moving from Master’s to Doctoral level is not permitted under the scholarship extension, though self-funded transfer to another university is allowed.

Application Deadline

15 October 2026 to 30 October 2026 (Japan Standard Time)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition, a monthly stipend of approximately ¥144,000 to ¥145,000 (AY2026 reference rates, subject to change), return economy airfare, and guaranteed first-year on-campus accommodation. Domestic travel to airports, airport taxes, luggage fees, and other incidental costs are not covered.

Can Nigerian and African students apply for this scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is open to nationals of any country that has diplomatic relations with the Japanese government, which includes Nigeria and all African Union member states. There are no regional or continental restrictions beyond the diplomatic relations requirement.

Do I need to apply to the University of Tokyo separately from the scholarship?
Yes. You must complete both the Graduate School of Science admission application under the Special Selection for International Applicants process and the MEXT scholarship application. Both must be submitted through their respective online forms before 30 October 2026.

Can I apply if I previously received a MEXT scholarship?
In most cases, no. Previous MEXT scholarship recipients are not eligible, with narrow exceptions — for example, those who have at least three years of educational or work experience since their previous scholarship ended, or those who received the Japanese Studies Students programme scholarship and have graduated from a university in their home country. Review the full non-eligibility list in the official application guidelines carefully.

What happens if I cannot arrive in Japan by October 2027?
You must be able to arrive in Japan within two weeks before or after 1 October 2027. If you cannot meet this requirement, you must withdraw your application, unless MEXT deems your circumstances unavoidable. If you arrive outside the designated period for personal reasons, travel costs will not be reimbursed.

Will I be notified if I am not selected?
Yes. Unlike many scholarship programmes, the University of Tokyo MEXT scheme notifies both successful and unsuccessful candidates at every stage of the selection process — after the Graduate School stage in mid-February 2027, after the University of Tokyo stage in April 2027, and after MEXT’s final decision in June 2027.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship page as of June 2026. This application closes before MEXT announces its own 2027 University Recommendation guidelines, so details including the result notification schedule are subject to change. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source at [email protected] before submitting your application.