University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Scholarship in Japan

The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded award from the Japanese Government through MEXT, hosted by the Graduate School of Science at the University of Tokyo in Japan. It supports international students at Master's and doctoral level, covering a monthly allowance, tuition and enrollment fee exemptions, and airfare.

It is open to international students applying to the Graduate School of Science, who must also complete the university admission application. The award includes a monthly stipend, fee waivers, airfare, and first year accommodation. The deadline is 30 October 2026. Read the sections below for eligibility, benefits and how to apply.

The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for selected international students.

Benefits include:

• Monthly MEXT scholarship allowance
• Exemption from enrollment fees
• Exemption from tuition fees
• Economy-class airfare to Japan under MEXT travel conditions
• Economy-class return airfare after completion of the scholarship under applicable conditions
• Opportunity to study at The University of Tokyo
• Access to the academic and research environment of the Graduate School of Science
• Guaranteed accommodation placement in a University of Tokyo International Lodge for the first year, subject to the conditions stated by the university

The monthly stipend for the 2027 academic year has not yet been determined. As a reference, the University of Tokyo lists the 2026 actual amounts as ¥144,000 per month for Master’s students and ¥145,000 per month for Doctoral students. An additional ¥2,000 or ¥3,000 per month may apply to students conducting study or research in designated regions.

The university states that the stipend amounts may change depending on the annual fiscal budget and other factors. Therefore, the 2026 figures should not be presented as the confirmed 2027 stipend.

Is the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship Fully Funded?

Yes. The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship provides the major components normally associated with a fully funded government scholarship, including a monthly allowance, tuition and enrollment-fee exemption, and international airfare under the applicable MEXT conditions.

However, not every personal expense is automatically covered. For example, MEXT specifies that certain local transportation, airport taxes, travel insurance, baggage, and other expenses may be the recipient’s responsibility.

Applicants should therefore understand “fully funded” as referring to the scholarship package provided under MEXT regulations rather than unlimited coverage of every personal expense.

The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 at the Graduate School of Science is available for:

• Master’s degree
• Doctoral degree

The scholarship period for students beginning in October 2027 is normally:

• Master’s Program: October 2027 to September 2029
• Doctoral Program: October 2027 to September 2030

A Master’s scholarship recipient may apply for an extension to continue into a Doctoral program, but an extension is not automatic and is subject to MEXT requirements, academic performance, admission, and approval.

The scholarship is intended for students applying to the Graduate School of Science.

Applicants should select a field related to their previous academic background and one that they can pursue as a research area at their chosen host university in Japan.

The Graduate School of Science covers scientific and research areas including:

• Physics
• Astronomy
• Chemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Earth and Planetary Science
• Mathematical Sciences
• Related areas of natural and fundamental sciences

Applicants should review the specific department and research area information before submitting their application.

Applicants must have the nationality of a country that maintains diplomatic relations with the Japanese Government.

Applicants holding Japanese nationality at the time of application are generally not eligible.

The scholarship is therefore open to international students from eligible countries, subject to the MEXT and University of Tokyo eligibility requirements.

Applicants for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 must satisfy the scholarship requirements as well as the admission requirements of the Graduate School of Science.

In general, applicants must:

• Be an international student

• Hold nationality from a country with diplomatic relations with Japan

• Intend to enter the Graduate School of Science in October 2027

• Apply for a Master’s or Doctoral program

• Meet the academic admission requirements of the Graduate School of Science

• Have outstanding academic records

• Meet the minimum academic grade requirement specified by MEXT

• Meet the required English or Japanese language proficiency condition

• Have a research field related to their previous academic background

• Be able to undertake research in the selected field at the University of Tokyo

• Complete the relevant Graduate School of Science admission application

• Meet MEXT's age and other eligibility conditions

Applicants should carefully review the official scholarship regulations because MEXT eligibility conditions can include additional restrictions concerning previous scholarships, residence in Japan, and other financial support.

Academic Requirements

Academic performance is an important requirement for the scholarship.

Applicants who have already graduated from their latest degree program must have a final grade point of at least 2.30 under the MEXT calculation method.

Applicants who are still enrolled in their current degree program must have a grade point of at least 2.30 for their current courses.

Applicants are also expected to maintain the required academic standard throughout the scholarship period.

The 2.30 requirement refers to the MEXT grade-point calculation method and should not automatically be interpreted as a 2.30/4.00 GPA under every university's grading system.

Age Requirement

For the 2027 University Recommended MEXT Scholarship at the Graduate School of Science, applicants must, in principle, have been born on or after April 2, 1992.

Applicants should check the official 2027 requirements carefully because MEXT eligibility conditions can be updated.

Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the required language proficiency condition in either English or Japanese.

For English, the Graduate School of Science currently accepts evidence equivalent to CEFR B2 or higher.

Examples listed by the university include:

• TOEFL iBT: 72 or above

• IELTS: 5.5 or above

Applicants may also satisfy the English requirement through an educational program conducted primarily in English if it meets the university's stated conditions.

Applicants should check the current Graduate School of Science admission instructions to determine which language documents are acceptable for their particular program.

Previous Academic Background

Applicants should normally apply for a field of study that they previously studied at university or a related field.

The selected research field should also be one that can be pursued at the University of Tokyo.

This means applicants should ensure that their previous degree, proposed research, and intended Graduate School of Science department are academically connected.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The University of Tokyo lists several situations that can make an applicant ineligible.

These include applicants who:

• Hold Japanese nationality at the time of application

• Are applying for another MEXT scholarship program for the same academic year

• Have already received or are receiving certain MEXT scholarships

• Have received a MEXT scholarship after 2024, subject to the stated exceptions

• Are residing in Japan at the time of application

• Plan to receive another Japanese Government or affiliated scholarship after the MEXT scholarship begins

• Do not satisfy the required academic or language conditions

• Do not meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School of Science

Applicants should review all non-eligibility conditions before applying.

Accommodation

The University of Tokyo states that recipients of this scholarship are guaranteed a room in the University of Tokyo International Lodge for the first year, subject to the applicable accommodation arrangements.

The university currently gives approximate monthly rent figures of:

• Kashiwa Lodge: approximately ¥50,000 per month

• Komaba Lodge: approximately ¥70,000 per month

The applicable lodge depends on the location of the student's laboratory. Accommodation is not free and the listed rent is separate from the MEXT scholarship allowance.

The application process involves both the MEXT scholarship application and the Graduate School of Science admission application.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Review the MEXT requirements and Graduate School of Science admission requirements.

Pay particular attention to:

• Academic background
• GPA calculation
• Age
• Nationality
• Language proficiency
• Previous scholarships
• Residence status
• Proposed research field

Step 2: Select Your Research Field

Choose a research area that is connected to your previous academic studies and available at the Graduate School of Science.

Applicants should investigate the relevant department and potential research area before applying.

Step 3: Apply for Graduate School Admission

Applicants must complete the admission application for the Graduate School of Science's Master's or Doctoral program.

The scholarship application is linked to the graduate admission process, and both applications must be completed within the relevant application period.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required by both the Graduate School of Science and MEXT.

Depending on the application requirements, documents may include:

• Application form
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificate or expected graduation certificate
• Proof of language proficiency
• Research plan
• Recommendation documents
• Passport or nationality documentation
• Other documents specified by the Graduate School of Science

Applicants should follow the current official document checklist rather than relying on previous years' requirements.

Step 5: Submit the MEXT Application Online

The 2027 University Recommended MEXT Scholarship application must be submitted electronically through the designated application form.

The university states that applications sent by email will not be accepted.

Applicants must upload the required documents in the specified format before the deadline.

Step 6: Complete Both Applications Before the Deadline

For an application to count, applicants must complete both:

• The MEXT scholarship application
• The Graduate School of Science admission application

Both must be completed through their respective online systems within the stated application period.

Step 7: Graduate School of Science Selection

The Graduate School of Science conducts its preliminary selection and identifies candidates for recommendation to the University of Tokyo.

The number of candidates that can ultimately be recommended is limited.

Step 8: University of Tokyo Selection

Candidates recommended by the Graduate School of Science undergo the University of Tokyo's selection process.

Successful candidates are then recommended to MEXT.

Step 9: MEXT Final Selection

MEXT conducts the final scholarship screening.

A university recommendation does not by itself guarantee the final award because the final decision is made through the MEXT selection process.

Step 10: Receive the Final Result

For the 2027 intake, the Graduate School of Science expects to notify its nominees in mid-February 2027.

Candidates selected at the University of Tokyo stage are expected to receive further notification in April 2027.

The official MEXT scholarship result is tentatively expected in June 2027.

Application Deadline

For the 2027 University Recommended MEXT Scholarship at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science, the application period is:

October 15 to October 30, 2026

The application must be submitted electronically within the specified period according to Japan Standard Time.

Applicants must also complete the relevant Graduate School of Science admission application within the required period.

Important Note About MEXT Application Routes

The University of Tokyo has multiple routes through which international students may pursue MEXT funding.

These can include:

• University Recommendation
• Embassy Recommendation
• Graduate School-specific MEXT arrangements

The article above focuses specifically on the 2027 University Recommended MEXT Scholarship offered through the Graduate School of Science.

Applicants using the Embassy Recommendation route should follow the separate MEXT and University of Tokyo instructions for that route.

Selection Timeline

The current University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science schedule indicates:

• Application: October 15–30, 2026
• Graduate School of Science nominee notification: mid-February 2027
• University of Tokyo selection notification: April 2027
• Final MEXT notification: June 2027, tentatively
• Scholarship begins: October 2027

The university notes that schedules and scholarship details may be subject to change.