Japan offers fully-funded MEXT 2026 Scholarships for Undergraduate and Research Studies

New Delhi, India — The Embassy of Japan in India has announced the opening of applications for the prestigious MEXT Scholarships 2026, offering Indian students the opportunity to pursue fully funded higher education in Japan at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Applications are now being accepted for the Undergraduate, National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Specialized Training College programs, as well as for the Research Students category covering master’s and doctoral studies.

For undergraduate aspirants, the MEXT Undergraduate Students Program offers a four-year bachelor’s degree program, supplemented by a mandatory one-year Japanese language training course before entering regular studies. Selected students will be awarded a bachelor’s degree upon completion.

The National Institute of Technology (KOSEN) Students Program includes three years of associate degree education with an additional year of Japanese language training, focusing on systematic professional and practical engineering education. The Specialized Training College Students Program involves two years of associate certificate-level vocational training, again preceded by a year of language study, preparing students for professional roles in fields such as business, fashion, technology, healthcare, and more.

Students selected for these undergraduate pathways will benefit from a monthly allowance of 117,000 yen (approximately ₹68,800), full exemption from entrance examinations, matriculation fees, and tuition fees, along with round-trip airfare between India and Japan. Approximately 12 students from India are recommended for each program; however, the final intake numbers are determined by the Japanese government, considering applicants from around the world. The deadline to apply for the undergraduate, KOSEN, and Specialized Training College programs is 26 May 2025, and successful candidates will travel to Japan in April 2026.

Scholarship benefits:

Allowance: 117,000 yen (Approx. 68,800 INR) per month

Education fee (for entrance exam, matriculation, tuition): Paid

Travelling Expense: Round-trip airfare

Application deadline: May 26, 2025 

Simultaneously, applications for the MEXT Research Students Scholarship 2026 are now open for postgraduate studies. The Research Students program allows candidates to enroll either in a two-year master’s course or a three-year doctoral course, with an additional six months of preparatory Japanese language education if needed. Postgraduate education in Japan is highly research-oriented, and candidates are required to identify a prospective academic advisor at a Japanese university and submit an original research plan aligned with the advisor’s field of study.

Under the Research Students category, scholarship benefits include a monthly stipend of 145,000 yen (approximately ₹85,300), full coverage of education fees, and round-trip airfare. Although the exact number of slots available this year has not been finalized, recent years have seen about 30 candidates selected from approximately 2,000 applicants. The application deadline for the Research Students category is 13 May 2025. Selected postgraduate scholars may depart for Japan in April, September, or October 2026, depending on the academic calendar and university regulations.

Detailed information on eligibility, application procedures, scholarship terms, and downloadable forms for undergraduate and postgraduate programs is available at the following websites: https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/Education/japanese_government_scholarships.html for undergraduate, KOSEN, and specialized training college scholarships, and https://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/Education/Research_Student.html for the Research Students category.

For any queries or further guidance, applicants may contact the Japan Information Centre, Embassy of Japan, located at 50-G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021. They may also reach out via telephone at +91-11-46104865 or email at jpemb.sinha@nd.mofa.go.jp.

With this call for applications, the Embassy of Japan once again strengthens educational and cultural ties between India and Japan by offering Indian students access to world-class academic and research opportunities under the prestigious MEXT Scholarship framework.