Japan Study Support (JPSS) Scholarships 2026 in Japan — Apply Now
The Japan Study Support (JPSS) Scholarships 2026 are open to international students planning to enrol in a Japanese university or graduate school, and the application deadline is May 31, 2026. If you are not a Japanese citizen and you are working toward admission for the September to November 2025 intake or the April to May 2026 intake, this scholarship awards 300,000 yen after you enrol at your designated university in Japan.
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The programme is organised through JPSS, a platform jointly operated by the Asian Students Cultural Association and Benesse Corporation, specifically to connect international students with universities and graduate schools across Japan. It covers all three degree levels — undergraduate, master’s, and PhD — so eligibility is not narrowed to one stage of study, as many country-specific scholarships are.
This scholarship rewards students who are already engaged with the JPSS ecosystem rather than students discovering JPSS for the first time through this post. If you have not yet created a JPSS account or used the Scout function, that has to be your starting point before anything else applies to you. Only four successful applicants will receive this award, so understanding exactly how the eligibility and selection process works matters more than usual.
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Japan Study Support Scholarships Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Japan Study Support (JPSS) |
| Host Country ⇒ | Japan |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate | Masters | PhD |
| Benefits ⇒ | Partial — 300,000 yen scholarship award (paid after enrolment) |
| Funded By ⇒ | Japan Study Support (Asian Students Cultural Association and Benesse Corporation) |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All Countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | May 31, 2026 |
Scholarship Categories to Explore on ScholarWaka— Here are some key scholarship opportunities you should check out on ScholarWaka:
- Study Abroad: Study in USA | Study in Canada | Study in UK | Study in Europe | Study in Asia | Study in Australia | Study in Africa
- Scholarship Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Diploma Scholarships | Competitions | High School Scholarships | Internships Scholarships | Training | Fellowships
About the Japan Study Support Scholarships
Japan Study Support (JPSS) is a platform built specifically to support international students applying to universities and graduate schools in Japan. It is jointly operated by the Asian Students Cultural Association and Benesse Corporation, and it functions as more than a scholarship programme — it is a broader system that helps international students discover Japanese institutions, apply through a structured Scouting Function, and build academic relationships with universities before they even arrive in the country.
The scholarship itself exists to reward students who have used that system successfully. Four awards of 300,000 yen are available for the 2026 cycle, paid out after the recipient enrols at their designated Japanese institution. Eligible admission periods are the September to November 2025 intake and the April to May 2026 intake. Preparatory courses and short-term study abroad programmes do not qualify — this scholarship is for students enrolling in full degree programmes only.
Recipients are expected to give something back to the JPSS community after receiving the award. This includes speaking at JPSS events, advising future international students considering study in Japan, and participating in JPSS social media activities. The scholarship is structured as an ongoing relationship with the platform, not a one-time payment with no further involvement.
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What the Japan Study Support Scholarships Cover
Successful applicants receive the following:
- A scholarship award of 300,000 yen, paid after enrolment at your designated university in Japan
- The opportunity to study in Japan at a university or graduate school of your choice within the eligible programme
- Exposure to the Japanese academic environment from the start of your enrolment
- Participation in JPSS international student activities and events
- Networking opportunities with other international students and Japanese institutions through the JPSS platform
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Eligibility Requirements
To be considered, you must meet all of the following:
- You must have a registered JPSS My Page account
- You must have used the JPSS Scout function to secure your university or graduate school offer
- You must be planning to enrol in a university or graduate school in Japan during one of the eligible admission periods — September to November 2025 or April to May 2026
- You must not be a Japanese citizen
- You must be able to attend an interview conducted in Japanese or English
- You must hold a Japanese bank account registered in your own name — internet-only banks are not accepted
Preparatory courses and short-term study abroad programmes do not qualify for this scholarship, regardless of how they were arranged.
Selection Requirements
The selection process includes:
- First-round document screening
- Second-round interview
- Notification of successful applicants
Successful candidates will be contacted directly by JPSS
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Required Documents
Prepare the following before you begin your application:
- Completed application form through the JPSS portal
- Essay addressing why you chose your university, your motivation for studying there, and your personal strengths supported by specific examples. Maximum length is 800 Japanese characters or 350 words in English.
- Self-introduction video not exceeding 30 seconds. Keep this concise and direct — there is no room for a long introduction within a 30-second limit, so plan exactly what you want to say before recording.
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How to Apply
- Create a JPSS My Page account if you do not already have one.
- Use the JPSS Scout function to connect with universities and secure your enrolment offer. This step must happen before you can be considered for the scholarship.
- Prepare all required application materials — your essay and self-introduction video — well ahead of the deadline.
- Complete the online scholarship application form through the JPSS portal.
- Upload your essay and self-introduction video, checking that both meet the length requirements exactly.
- Submit your full application through the JPSS portal before May 31, 2026.
Your application will then go through a first-round document screening, followed by a second-round interview for shortlisted candidates. Successful applicants will be contacted directly by JPSS.
Important Notice
- Applicants must provide truthful and accurate information.
- False information may lead to disqualification or repayment of scholarship funds.
- Scholarship recipients who withdraw, fail to complete, or are expelled from their programme may be required to refund the scholarship.
- Recipients are expected to support JPSS promotional and student support activities after receiving the scholarship.
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Application Deadline
The deadline for the Japan Study Support Scholarships 2026 is May 31, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Japan Study Support Scholarship fully funded?
No. The scholarship provides a one-time award of 300,000 yen after enrolment. It does not cover full tuition, accommodation, or living costs. You will need separate funding arrangements for the rest of your study costs in Japan.
Can Nigerian students apply for the JPSS Scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is open to all nationalities except Japanese citizens. As a Nigerian applicant, you must still meet every other requirement — a registered JPSS account, use of the Scout function to secure your offer, a Japanese bank account in your own name, and availability for an interview in English or Japanese.
Do I need a Japanese bank account before I apply?
Yes. You must hold a Japanese bank account registered in your own name, and it cannot be an internet-only bank. If you do not yet have one, this is something you will need to arrange as part of your preparation for studying in Japan, since it is a non-negotiable eligibility requirement.
What happens if I haven’t used the JPSS Scout function yet?
You are not eligible to apply for this specific scholarship until you have used the Scout function to secure your university offer. If you are new to JPSS, your first step should be creating an account and exploring the Scout function rather than preparing this scholarship application directly.
Can I apply if I’m only doing a short-term study abroad programme in Japan?
No. Preparatory courses and short-term study abroad programmes are explicitly excluded from this scholarship. It is intended only for students enrolling in full undergraduate, master’s, or PhD programmes at Japanese universities or graduate schools.
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Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria were verified from the official Japan Study Support website as of June 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official source before submitting your application.
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