Institute of Science Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 in Japan | Fully Funded

The Institute of Science Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 offers international students an opportunity to pursue graduate-level study in Japan with financial support from the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

The scholarship is offered through the University Recommendation route and is connected to the university’s International Graduate Program (A), or IGP(A), for students entering in Fall 2027. Science Tokyo selects eligible candidates and recommends them to MEXT for final scholarship consideration.

An important condition is that the 2027 MEXT scholarship is available only through eligible IGP(A) programmes offering an integrated Master’s–Doctoral education pathway. Not every programme in IGP(A) has MEXT scholarship places, and a recommendation from the university does not guarantee a final award.

The application period for IGP(A) Fall 2027 admission is September 9 to November 22, 2026. Applicants must obtain the required consent from a Science Tokyo academic supervisor and submit the relevant admission and scholarship materials within the prescribed deadlines.

Successful MEXT scholarship recipients can receive:

• Monthly stipend of ¥147,000 during the Master’s stage.

• Monthly stipend of ¥148,000 during the Doctoral stage, under the university’s current published guidance.

• Exemption from enrollment fees.

• Exemption from tuition fees.

• Economy-class international airfare to Japan and return airfare under applicable MEXT conditions.

• Opportunity to study in English at a Japanese science and technology research institution.

• Access to research facilities, academic supervision and the university’s international research environment.

The scholarship amounts and travel benefits are governed by MEXT rules and may change. Airfare is provided under specific conditions rather than as unrestricted travel funding.

For selected recipients, the MEXT scholarship provides the principal components of a fully funded graduate scholarship: a monthly stipend, tuition and enrollment-fee exemption, and international airfare under the applicable conditions.

However, students should budget for personal expenses that may not be covered, such as certain local transportation costs, airport taxes, travel insurance, excess baggage and other personal expenses.

Applicants should also understand that this is a competitive, university-recommended scholarship. Admission to Science Tokyo or submission of an application does not guarantee MEXT funding.

The MEXT scholarship route covered in this article supports the Integrated Doctoral Education Program at Institute of Science Tokyo.

The integrated programme combines Master’s and Doctoral study into one continuous course. Depending on the programme, students may be able to complete both degrees in approximately three to five years.

The MEXT scholarship period initially covers the Master’s stage. Eligible scholars may apply for an extension when progressing to the Doctoral stage, but extension is not automatic and depends on academic performance, MEXT conditions and approval.

The scholarship is connected to eligible programmes within Science Tokyo’s International Graduate Program (A), which offers English-taught graduate study across selected science and engineering departments.

Relevant academic areas include:

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Earth and Planetary Science

• Mechanical Engineering

• Systems and Control Engineering

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering

• Information and Communications Engineering

• Industrial Engineering and Economics

• Materials Science and Engineering

• Chemical Science and Engineering

• Life Science and Technology

• Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Architecture and Building Engineering

The scholarship is not automatically available in every listed department or programme. Applicants must check the Fall 2027 MEXT allocation document to confirm whether their chosen programme has scholarship recommendation places.

Applicants must have the nationality of a country that maintains diplomatic relations with Japan. Japanese nationals are generally not eligible under the standard rules, although a limited exception applies to certain dual nationals living outside Japan who meet MEXT’s renunciation and other conditions.

The current Science Tokyo appendix lists Pakistan among the countries designated by MEXT. However, applicants must still meet all scholarship requirements, and the availability of a recommendation place depends on the selected programme and the applicable MEXT scheme.

MEXT-designated countries

Asia: India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives, Mongolia, Laos.

Oceania: Australia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Micronesia.

North America: United States, Canada.

South America: Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia.

Europe and CIS: Iceland, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Italy, San Marino, Malta, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, Estonia, Austria, Kosovo, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Croatia, Georgia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Tajikistan, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Turkmenistan, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Andorra, Monaco, Bulgaria, Belgium, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Luxembourg, Vatican City.

Middle East and Africa: Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Comoros, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, South Africa, Iran, Lesotho, Oman, Eswatini, South Sudan, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mozambique, Morocco, Mali, Algeria, Angola, Libya, Rwanda, Burundi, Jordan, Lebanon, Uganda, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea, Somalia, Ivory Coast, Togo, Niger, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Djibouti, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Seychelles, Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, Tunisia, Nigeria, Namibia, Burkina Faso, Benin, Botswana.

Applicants for the Institute of Science Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 must generally:

• Be an international applicant with eligible nationality.

• Apply for an eligible IGP(A) Integrated Doctoral Education Program.

• Have an excellent academic record.

• Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.30 out of 3.00 under the MEXT calculation method in the latest degree programme.

• Meet the academic admission requirements of the selected programme.

• Be 34 years old or younger on April 1, 2027, under the standard age rule.

• Have a research field related to their previous academic background and suitable for study at Science Tokyo.

• Demonstrate English proficiency at the required level.

• Be medically fit to pursue the programme.

• Meet the requirements for obtaining the appropriate Japanese student visa.

• Be able to arrive in Japan within the required period.

• Submit all required admission and scholarship documents by the deadlines.

Applicants must also meet MEXT’s restrictions concerning previous MEXT scholarships and simultaneous applications to other Japanese Government scholarship programmes.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must meet the academic requirements of the selected graduate programme and demonstrate the academic ability required for MEXT consideration.

Science Tokyo specifies a minimum GPA of 2.30 out of 3.00 under the MEXT calculation method. This is not necessarily the same as the GPA printed on an applicant’s transcript because the university converts course grades using the prescribed MEXT formula.

Applicants should not assume that their home university’s GPA scale can be directly compared with the MEXT threshold. Science Tokyo calculates the GPA used in selection and does not provide individual pre-assessments of applicants’ scholarship GPA.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency meeting Science Tokyo’s requirements.

The university accepts evidence through one of the following routes:

• An eligible English proficiency test score equivalent to CEFR B2 or higher.

• Evidence that the applicant has completed, or expects to complete, the qualifying degree curriculum at an institution where all instruction was in English.

• Another determination by Science Tokyo that the applicant’s English proficiency meets the required level.

The university lists IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT and TOEIC Listening and Reading among the accepted test routes. TOEIC applicants must provide additional evidence of speaking and writing ability as required by Science Tokyo.

For test-score evidence, the university specifies that the test must have been taken within two years before January 1, 2027. Applicants should consult the current scholarship page and application guide for exact document requirements.

Eligible Programmes and Scholarship Places

The MEXT scholarship is not available across all IGP(A) programmes.

The university’s current Fall 2027 allocation document lists the following arrangements:

• Interdisciplinary Program for Super-Smart Society: eight Priority recommendation places.

• Graduate Program to Foster Global Leaders for Sustainable Bio-Economy: eight Priority recommendation places.

• Postgraduate Program for Environmental Designers Contributing to Resilient Cities: eight Priority places for the Integrated Doctoral Education Program only.

• Graduate Program to Foster Global Leaders for the Development of Materials with Innovative Functions: eight Priority places or none, depending on the outcome of the allocation decision.

• International Graduate Program in Science for Fostering Innovative Leaders in Quantum Technology: no MEXT recommendation places listed in the current allocation document.

The allocation is dated September 4, 2026, and may change. Applicants should check the latest official allocation before choosing a programme.

The exact document checklist depends on the IGP(A) programme and applicant circumstances. Applicants should prepare the following where required:

• Completed online admission application.

• MEXT scholarship application form.

• Official academic transcripts.

• Graduation certificate or expected graduation certificate.

• Degree certificate or expected degree certificate.

• Required evaluation sheet and recommendation letter.

• Supervisor consent letter.

• English proficiency test score or qualifying English-medium education certificate.

• Other documents required by the programme or scholarship guide.

Applicants should follow the latest official application guide and designated forms rather than relying on older versions of the scholarship instructions.

Applicants must complete the IGP(A) admission application and the separate MEXT scholarship application requirements.

Step 1: Choose an Eligible Programme

Review the Science Tokyo IGP(A) programme list and select an eligible Integrated Doctoral Education Program that matches your previous studies and research interests.

Check the MEXT allocation document before proceeding, because not all programmes have scholarship places.

Step 2: Find an Academic Supervisor

Contact an eligible Science Tokyo faculty member whose research interests match your proposed field of study.

Applicants must provide a self-introduction and a letter of intent and obtain the faculty member’s consent to act as their academic supervisor. Applications without the required supervisor consent will not be considered.

Step 3: Submit the Supervisor Consent

Send a copy of the required consent letter to the Admissions Division by November 15, 2026, at 23:59 Japan Standard Time.

After the document is checked, the university provides the URL and access information required for the online application system.

Step 4: Prepare the Admission Documents

Prepare the documents required by the IGP(A) application guide, including academic records and proof of degree completion or expected graduation.

Documents issued in languages other than English or Japanese must be accompanied by a certified English or Japanese translation according to the university’s requirements.

Step 5: Complete the MEXT Application

Applicants seeking MEXT support must submit the additional scholarship form and required materials through the designated online scholarship application process.

These include:

• MEXT scholarship application form.

• Recommendation letter from the dean or an equivalent official of the applicant’s home university, addressed to the President of Institute of Science Tokyo.

• Accepted English proficiency evidence or qualifying proof of English-medium education.

The scholarship recommendation letter must follow the university’s requirements. Applicants should check the current guide for the exact format and submission instructions.

Step 6: Submit Both Applications on Time

Complete the online IGP(A) admission application and the required scholarship application materials before their respective deadlines.

The full admission application must be submitted by November 22, 2026, at 23:59 Japan Standard Time.

Step 7: Wait for Selection Results

Science Tokyo conducts the initial selection and recommends eligible candidates to MEXT. MEXT makes the final scholarship decision.

Applicants must not treat an admission offer or university recommendation as a guarantee of the final scholarship award.

Application Deadline

For the Institute of Science Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 through IGP(A), the key dates are:

• IGP(A) application opens: September 9, 2026.

• Supervisor consent letter deadline: November 15, 2026, at 23:59 JST.

• Admission and scholarship application deadline: November 22, 2026, at 23:59 JST.

• IGP(A) admission result: March 3, 2027, at 15:00 JST.

• Final MEXT scholarship notification: expected between July and August 2027.

The university states that the schedule and scholarship details may be subject to change. Applicants should verify the latest information on the official pages before submitting.

The selection process includes several stages:

• Initial screening of the IGP(A) admission application.

• Review of academic performance and programme eligibility.

• Assessment of the MEXT scholarship application.

• Recommendation of eligible candidates by Science Tokyo.

• Final screening by MEXT.

For Fall 2027, the university lists March 3, 2027, as the IGP(A) admission result date. Final MEXT results are expected in July or August 2027.

The scholarship is competitive, and the university warns that MEXT may reject its recommended candidates even if they meet the published eligibility conditions.