Japan Government MEXT Scholarship 2026 - 2027 (Fully Funded)
What Is the MEXT Scholarship?Are you a Qatari national dreaming of studying in Japan on a fully funded scholarship? The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship 2026 offers a prestigious opportunity for students in Qatar to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate degrees at Japanese universities. While applications for the 2026 cycle have closed, now is the perfect time to start preparing for the 2027 intake.
What Is the MEXT Scholarship?
The MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Scholarship is a Japanese government initiative that provides full financial support to international students who wish to study in Japan. It covers tuition, travel expenses, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.
For Qatari nationals, the MEXT Scholarship is administered by the Embassy of Japan in Qatar, and is offered for both undergraduate and research (postgraduate) studies.
Benefits
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend (~¥143,000 for postgraduate students)
- Round-trip airfare
- Preparatory Japanese language course (6 months for research students; 1 year for undergraduates)
- University placement support
Eligible Nationalities
This scholarship is only open to Qatari citizens. If you were born or raised in Qatar but hold a different nationality, you must apply through the Japanese Embassy in your country of citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate Applicants Must:
- Be Qatari nationals
- Complete a written exam (English, Japanese, and subject-specific tests like Math, Chemistry, Physics, or Biology)
- Submit all required documents
- Pass an in-person interview (if shortlisted)
Postgraduate (Research) Applicants Must:
- Be under the age of 35
- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree
- Pass English and Japanese language tests
Selection Process
First Screening (by the Japanese Embassy in Qatar)
- Document review
- Written examinations
- In-person interviews
- Only shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit original documents and medical forms
Second Screening (by MEXT in Japan)
- Final selection
- University placement and scholarship confirmation by January 2026
Note: Written exams must be taken in person at the Japanese Embassy in Doha. No online or alternative exam dates are available.
Application Procedure
Important Dates for Reference (2026 Cycle)
- Application deadline: Closed (May 2025)
- Written exams & interviews: June–July 2025
- First screening results: Late July 2025
- University acceptance deadline (postgraduate): September 1, 2025
- Final results (MEXT decision): January 2026
- Departure for Japan: April or September/October 2026
Planning Ahead for 2027
If you missed the 2026 deadline, use this time to prepare for the 2027 application cycle, expected to open in spring 2026. Begin gathering documents, reviewing past exams, and identifying your academic goals and preferred Japanese universities.
How to Apply
When the application period opens:
- Submit your complete application by email only
- All documents must be sent as clear PDF scans
- Email subject: “MEXT Scholarship – [Your Full Name]”
- Total email size must be under 10MB
- Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered
Contact
Email submissions only – Embassy Website
For other nationalities, please contact the Japanese Embassy in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I apply if I have dual nationality, including Qatari?
No. The MEXT Scholarship through the Japanese Embassy in Qatar is strictly for applicants who hold only Qatari nationality. Dual nationals must apply through the embassy of their other nationality.
2. Do I need to know Japanese to apply for the MEXT Scholarship?
No. Japanese language proficiency is not required at the time of application. If selected, undergraduate and research students will undergo a 6–12 month Japanese language preparatory course in Japan before beginning their main academic program.
3. Can I apply if I’m currently in my final year of university or school?
Yes. Final-year students are eligible to apply, provided they can submit proof of graduation (or expected graduation) by the time of university admission in Japan.
4. Can non-Qatari nationals apply for the MEXT Scholarship through the Embassy of Japan in Qatar?
No. Only Qatari nationals are eligible to apply through the Embassy of Japan in Qatar. Applicants of other nationalities must apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in their own country of citizenship.
Conclusion
The MEXT Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for talented and ambitious Qatari students to pursue world-class education in Japan. Whether you’re aiming for an undergraduate degree or postgraduate research, now is the time to plan, prepare, and position yourself for the next application window in 2026 for the 2027 cycle.
Let us know if you’d like a checklist, sample email format, or assistance preparing for the exams!
