Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships for International Students

The Japanese Government (MEXT) provides scholarships via its government-sponsored international student system. MEXT scholarship students fall under the following categories:

1. University recommended MEXT scholarship students
   • Research students (postgraduate)
   • Japanese studies students
2. Embassy recommended MEXT scholarship students
   • Research students (undergraduate and postgraduate)
   • Teacher training students
   • Japanese studies students

* The amount paid for one month is 117,000 yen for undergraduate students, 144,000 yen for master's program graduate students, 145,000 yen for doctoral program graduate students, and 143,000 yen for non-degree (research) students.
* In addition, travel fees (cost of plane tickets) may be provided for travel to Japan and return travel to a student's home country.

1. If you wish to become a university recommended MEXT scholarship student, please search the Iwate University Researcher Directory for staff involved in the field that you wish to study and find a faculty member who may accept you.

• * Iwate University Researcher Directory

You will need the following documentation to apply:

• - Application form
• - Specialist field and research plan
• - Letter of recommendation from someone who is of an equivalent or higher rank than the dean of a graduate school in your university (addressed to the President of Iwate University)
• - Photo (taken in the last six months, electronic data is acceptable)
• - A copy of your family register, proof of citizenship, or passport from your home country (certification that makes your nationality clear)
• - Academic transcript from the last university you attended (undergraduate or graduate school, issued by the university)
• - Proof of (expected) graduation or graduation certificate (copy) from the last university you attended (undergraduate or graduate school)
• - Academic record that proves your excellence at the last university you attended (which shows your GPA or your rank)
• - Thesis outline (dissertation abstract)
• - Evidence of Japanese or English-language proficiency

* For Japanese, you must have passed at least the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2
* For English you must have a score equivalent to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 (IELTS 5.5 - 6.5, TOEFL ibt 72 - 94, etc.), or have proof that you have obtained a degree using English as the main language.

2. If you wish to become an embassy recommended MEXT scholarship student, please make inquiries at the Japanese embassy of the country or region in which you are resident.

Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-term Study in Japan)

The Student Exchange Support Program is run by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). When we accept international exchange students on the Iwate University Student Exchange Program (IU-SEP) from foreign universities with whom we have student exchange agreements, students that fulfill the qualifications and requirements are given a scholarship of 80,000 yen per month.

The universities that are eligible for support change each year, so please check when you apply.

For more details about the program, please see the pages below:
Japan Student Services Organization Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-term Study in Japan)

• Japanese page
• English page

Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students

This is a scholarship program (no repayment necessary) offered by the Japan Student Support Organization (JASSO) for privately-financed international students who are enrolled in universities in Japan. Applications for this program should go through the university in which you are enrolled or intend to enter.

Divisions:

1. Reservation Program
   • (1) General Reservation Program
     Eligibility: Privately-financed international students who have pre-arrival admission to university
     • Faculties and graduate schools that accept pre-arrival admission
       Undergraduate: Faculty of Science and Engineering
       Graduate: Graduate School of Engineering (Doctoral Program); United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences (UGAS) (Doctoral Program)
     * What is pre-arrival admission?
     Pre-arrival admission is a program through which international students can directly apply for admission from overseas when choosing a university. Selection is carried out and permission for admission is granted to the candidates without requiring them to come to Japan even once before enrollment.
   • (2) Program using the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) (undergraduate level)
     Eligibility: Privately-financed international students who have gained excellent results in the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) and are to newly enroll in university as a regular student
2. General Program (Application period: Around April)
   Eligibility: Regular privately-financed international students who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school Research students who are carrying out research activity at graduate school level
   • - Monthly payment: 48,000 yen (expected) for undergraduate/graduate students
   • - Payment period: Every 6 months or annually
   • - Conditions of application: - Privately-financed international students whose visa status is "student" (留学)
   • - Students whose GPA for the previous year was 2.30 or more, and who are expected to maintain this while receiving payments
   • - Students who receive an average monthly allowance of less than 90,000 yen etc.

For more information on these programs, please see the Japanese Student Support Organization (JASSO) website.

• Japanese Student Support Organization (JASSO) website

Other Scholarships

Some scholarships offered by local governments or groups require you to apply through your university, and others require you to apply directly to their organization.
Many of the scholarships that require you to apply through your university are for a limited number of recommended students, and nominees are selected within the university based on their academic results and scholarship status.
Please see the yearly application schedule for grants, including scholarships, for more information on scholarship applications and acceptance.(Document attached)

Information for international students about scholarship application is posted on the bulletin board of the International Office (Student Center Building B 1F) and on other campus bulletin boards. It is also available on the website of the International Education Center under "Scholarship Information."