Study In Japan: The scholarship will be disbursed based on the enrolled course.
The Government of Japan has announced the opening of applications for Indian students engaged in research to avail scholarships through the MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology) scholarship program.
These scholarships are applicable for the academic year 2025, with the deadline for submitting applications set for May 3, 2024.
Scholarship Benefits:
Allowance:
The scholarship amount will vary depending on the course of study. Additionally, a supplementary regional allowance of either 2,000 yen or 3,000 yen per month will be included in the monthly scholarship for students studying or conducting research in specially designated regions. It is important to note that the payment amount may be adjusted annually due to the Japanese Government’s budget constraints. If a recipient is absent from the university for an extended period, the scholarship will be put on hold during that time.
- Students undergoing preparatory education and non-regular students: 143,000 yen (approximately Rs 77,358) per month.
- Regular students enrolled in master’s or professional degree programs: 144,000 yen (approximately Rs 77,902) per month.
- Regular students enrolled in doctoral programs: 145,000 yen (approximately Rs 78,441) per month.
Education Fees:
MEXT will cover fees for entrance examinations, matriculation, and tuition at universities. However, if students are unable to proceed to the master’s course, they will be responsible for the entrance examination fee.
Application Guidelines:
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan provides scholarships to international students interested in pursuing graduate studies at Japanese universities as Research Students, whether as regular or non-regular students, under the MEXT scholarship program.
Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, or professional graduate course at a graduate school, or be engaged in research in a specialized field at an undergraduate department, graduate school, or university-affiliated institute to complete the course. Alternatively, they may be undergoing preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects before university placement. (Excluding Young Leaders’ Program Students or Teacher Training Students.)
Fields Of Study:
Applicants should select the field of study they specialized in at university or a related field. Moreover, the chosen fields of study must be subjects that applicants can pursue and research in graduate programs at Japanese universities. The fields of study may be restricted to specific areas by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate (referred to as “Japanese diplomatic mission”) in the applicant’s country.
Fields such as traditional entertainment arts like Kabuki and classical Japanese dances, or disciplines requiring practical training in specific technologies or techniques at factories or companies, are not covered under this scholarship program.
Students studying medicine, dentistry, or welfare science are prohibited from participating in clinical training such as medical care and operative surgery until they acquire the relevant license from the Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare as per Japanese laws.
Age Limit:
Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1990. Exceptions are only granted in cases where MEXT determines that the applicant couldn’t apply within the eligible age limit due to circumstances in the applicant’s country (e.g., military service obligation, disruption of educational opportunities due to war, etc.). Personal factors such as financial status, family situation, health condition, university or workplace circumstances, etc., will not be considered for exceptions.
Academic Background:
To be eligible for admission to a master’s or doctoral course at a Japanese graduate school, applicants must meet any of the following criteria. (Applicants who will definitely meet any of these conditions by the time of enrollment are eligible.)
Master’s course / Doctoral course:
Applicants who have completed 16 years of schooling outside Japan.
Applicants who have finished a program lasting three years or more at universities or equivalent educational institutions outside Japan and received a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
Apart from the aforementioned conditions, applicants are eligible for enrollment in a master’s or doctoral course (first phase) at a Japanese graduate school.
Doctoral Course:
Applicants holding an overseas degree equivalent to a master’s or professional degree.
Applicants who have graduated from universities and have engaged in research at universities or research centers (including overseas institutions) for two years or more and are recognized.
Period Of Scholarship:
Non-regular students:
- For grantees arriving in Japan during the April term: The scholarship will be valid from April 2025 until the end of March 2027.
- For grantees arriving in Japan during the October term: The scholarship will cover the period from September or October 2025 until the end of March 2027.
- In both scenarios, the initial six-month phase of the scholarship will involve preparatory education in the Japanese language (referred to as “the preparatory education”) for those who require it.
- For arrivals in Japan during months other than those specified above, the scholarship period will be determined separately by MEXT.