University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026 offers exceptional international students the opportunity to pursue a fully funded Master’s or Doctoral degree at one of Japan’s most prestigious institutions. Sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), this scholarship aims to foster global leaders who will serve as bridges of friendship between Japan and their home countries.
Through the University Recommendation process, the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo nominates qualified students to MEXT after a thorough internal selection process. Successful scholars receive financial support for tuition, living expenses, and travel, allowing them to focus entirely on their academic and research pursuits in Japan.
Scholarship Benefits
University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026 offers the following financial benefits to successful applicants:
- Monthly Allowance:
- 144,000 yen/month for Master’s students
- 145,000 yen/month for Doctoral students
- Additional 2,000–3,000 yen/month for students studying in certain designated regions in Japan
- Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Fully waived
- Travel Expenses:
- To Japan: Economy-class airfare from the nearest international airport in the applicant’s country to Japan
- From Japan: Economy-class airfare from Japan back to the applicant’s home country after the scholarship period ends
- Lodging Support: Guaranteed accommodation in the University of Tokyo International Lodge for the first year, with rent ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 yen/month
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Qualification:
- Applicants must be applying for either the Master’s or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.30 (based on MEXT’s GPA scale)
- Must complete the admission application for the graduate program before applying for the scholarship
- Nationality: Must hold citizenship from a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Japanese nationals with dual citizenship must renounce their Japanese nationality before arrival.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1991
- Field of Study: Applicants should apply in the same or a closely related field as their previous academic background
- Language Proficiency:
- English: CEFR B2 level or above (e.g., TOEFL iBT 72+, IELTS 5.5+), or a degree from an English-medium program
- Japanese: JLPT N2 or above, or a degree from a Japanese-medium program
- Health: Must be physically and mentally fit to pursue studies in Japan
- Visa Requirement: Applicants must obtain a “Student” visa from the Japanese embassy in their country
- Arrival Date: Must be able to arrive in Japan by the date specified by the university (around October 1, 2026)
- Non-Eligibility:
- Applicants are not eligible if they:
- Cannot arrive in Japan within the specified period
- Have previously received a MEXT scholarship (with some exceptions)
- Are already residing in Japan
- Plan to receive another Japanese-government-funded scholarship
- Fail to complete their current degree before the program begins
- Plan to conduct long-term fieldwork or internships outside Japan during the scholarship period
Application Process
Applying for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026 involves several steps. Here’s how to apply:
- Check Eligibility: Before starting your application, ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria, including nationality, age, academic background, language proficiency, and health requirements.
- Apply for Admission: Submit an application for a Master’s or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo, by following the “Special Selection for International Applicants” guidelines. This is a required step before applying for the scholarship.
- Prepare for the Scholarship Application: After completing your graduate program application, prepare your scholarship application for the MEXT University Recommendation track.
- Submit the Scholarship Application: Upload all required documents through the official online application form during the application window from October 15 to October 31, 2025 (Japan Standard Time). Submissions via email or after the deadline will not be accepted.
- Undergo University Nomination: The Graduate School of Science will nominate one candidate. The University of Tokyo will then select up to three nominees from all graduate schools and forward their applications to MEXT.
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Required Documents
When applying for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026, you will need to prepare and submit the following documents:
- Application Form: Completed application form (must be printed double-sided).
- Field of Study and Research Plan: A clear outline of your proposed research topic and objectives.
- Letter of Recommendation: A letter from a dean or above, addressed to the President of the University of Tokyo, printed on official university letterhead and signed (digital signatures not accepted).
- Passport-style Photograph: Taken within the last 6 months (4.5 × 3.5 cm), upper-body, full-faced, and without a cap. Should be affixed to the application form or submitted digitally.
- Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts from your most recent degree program. If currently enrolled, include transcripts from both the previous and current programs. Grading scale explanation must be included if not shown on the transcript.
- Proof of Language Proficiency: Valid certificate showing proficiency in either English (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) or Japanese (e.g., JLPT), or proof of medium of instruction in English or Japanese.
- Abstract of Graduation Thesis: A concise summary of your undergraduate or master’s thesis (as applicable).
- Certificate of Graduation or Expected Graduation: An official certificate indicating completion or expected completion of your most recent academic program.
- Copy of Passport: Photocopy of the page with your photo and personal information.
Selection Process
The selection for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026 is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated through the following stages:
- Graduate School Nomination: The Graduate School of Science reviews all complete applications and nominates one outstanding candidate based on academic merit, research potential, and eligibility.
- University of Tokyo Selection: The University of Tokyo evaluates all nominees from its graduate schools and selects up to three candidates to be recommended to MEXT for final consideration.
- Final Review by MEXT: The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) conducts the final screening of the university’s recommended candidates.
- Notification of Results:
- Candidates nominated by the Graduate School of Science will be notified by mid-February 2026.
- Candidates selected by the University of Tokyo will be notified in April 2026.
- Final grantees will be officially notified by MEXT in June 2026 (tentative).
Scholarship Duration
The duration of the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026 depends on the level of study:
- Doctoral Program: Scholarship is provided for 3 years, from October 2026 to September 2029.
- Master’s Program: Scholarship is provided for 2 years, from October 2026 to September 2028.
Application Deadline
The application period for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2026 is from October 15 to October 31, 2025 (Japan Standard Time).
