Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship (Research Students) for 2027

Updated on April 21, 2026
 

We are pleased to announce that you can now apply for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for 2027 (Research Students).

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) offers scholarships to international students who wish to study graduate courses at Japanese universities as research students (either non-degree or degree students) under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for 2027.

Please read the application guidelines on the 'Study in Japan' website for more details and use the forms on the site.

• Application Procedure and necessary documents for Research Students
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap_stopj-applications_research.html

FAQ
For questions about eligibility, required documents, selection process etc., please refer to the FAQ and the application guidelines.

Selection Schedule for Dutch Nationals
Notes:
1) Be sure that you have all the required documents.
  *Regarding the required documents, please carefully check pages 6-7 of the application guidelines.
2) All documents must be submitted by 13 May 2026.
3) Incomplete applications will not be accepted.  
 
First Screening

21 April 2026	Start of the Application Process
13 May 2026 (By 5:00 p.m.)	Deadline for Applications Applications are to be submitted directly or by post (hard-copy) to: Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands (Attn: Cultural Section / MEXT RS) Tobias Asserlaan 5, 2517 KC Den Haag
From May to June 2026	Preliminary Screening
At the beginning of July 2026	The Embassy will announce the results of the Preliminary Screening by email.
10 July 2026	First Screening (Written Examination and Interview) (at the Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands)
Late July 2026	The Embassy will announce the results of the First Screening by email.

 
Contact to universities in Japan
In August 2026, candidates who pass the first screening will be required to contact universities in Japan to obtain provisional acceptance letters. Further details will be provided to those candidates after the announcement of the first screening results.
 
From the Second Screening to the Departure to Japan

November 2026	Second Screening by MEXT
From January to March 2027	The Embassy will announce the final results by email.
April or September or October 2027	Departure to Japan

If you have any questions, please first read the application guidelines carefully. If you cannot find the answer there, please refer to the FAQ on this page. If your question still remains unanswered, please contact the Culture and Information Section, the Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands by e-mail.

Email: info@hg.mofa.go.jp (Please mention "MEXT Scholarships for Research Students (your name)" in the subject line.)