Japan has officially entered full scholarship-recruitment mode, and this announcement sits right at the top of the list. The MEXT Scholarship 2026 (University Recommendation – General Program) is now open through Kyoto University, specifically via the Graduate School of Medicine. This opportunity is designed for outstanding international applicants who plan to enter Japan as research students in October 2026, with a clear pathway toward full graduate degrees.
This university-nominated route is highly competitive and signals that Japan is once again investing heavily in global research talent.
What This Opportunity Fully Covers?
This is one of Japan’s most comprehensive government-funded scholarships, structured to eliminate financial pressure so scholars can focus entirely on research and academic advancement.
- Monthly stipend: JPY 143,000 for graduate-level research students
- Tuition & admission fees: Fully waived
- International travel: Round-trip airfare to and from Japan covered
- Scholarship period: October 2026 to March 2028
- Enrollment status: Admission as a Research Student, with extension opportunities when advancing to a degree program
Who This Scholarship Is Designed For?
Kyoto University is seeking academically strong candidates with a clear research direction and readiness to work under a host laboratory.
- International (non-Japanese) applicants entering graduate study in October 2026
- Academic performance coefficient of 2.30 or higher in the most recent academic program
- Meets Japanese or English language requirements (JLPT N2+ or CEFR B2 / IELTS 5.5+ or equivalent)
- Research field aligned with Medicine or closely related disciplines offered at Kyoto University
- Will enroll initially as a Research Student
- Nationality must be among countries designated by MEXT
How the Application Process Works
This is a university-recommendation pathway, meaning the process starts at the academic level, not a public portal.
- Identify and secure support from a prospective laboratory at Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine.
- Prepare all required documents and submit them through the host laboratory.
- Kyoto University conducts internal screening and forwards selected nominations to MEXT.
- Final scholarship results are expected by June 2026, with arrival in Japan scheduled for September–October 2026.
Apply: https://www.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/news/26030
All application documents must be submitted by Friday, January 30, 2026 through the prospective laboratory to the Office of Student Affairs, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University.