Scholarships in Japan
There are 21 active scholarships for international students in Japan worth up to €40k, from 20 providers. Compare eligibility, awards, and deadlines below and apply before they close.
full fundingNational Institute of Genetics (NIG)
NIG Postdoctoral Fellowship (National Institute of Genetics)
Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will obtain it before the start date) and have the research skills to pursue a genetics project. Applicants who were previously enrolled at NIG as postdocs, technical staff or SOKENDAI graduate students are not eligible.
full
Funding
€27k
Max
-28d left
Deadline
full fundingThe Matsumae International Foundation (MIF)
Matsumae International Foundation Research Fellowship
Open to non-Japanese researchers worldwide who hold a PhD, are 49 years or younger at the time of application, and have a professional occupation in their home country. Applicants must secure an invitation (acceptance) letter from a host institution in Japan, have sufficient English or Japanese proficiency, and must not have had previous long-term stays in Japan.
full
Funding
€11k
Max
29d left
Deadline
full fundingCenter for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University
Kyoto University CSEAS Fellowship
Open to established scholars and professionals of recognised standing, regardless of nationality, who are generally under 65 years of age and not currently enrolled in graduate or postdoctoral programmes. Applicants from government, NGOs, media, IT, librarianship, and other sectors are welcome. Those previously awarded a CSEAS fellowship must wait at least six years before reapplying.
full
Funding
—
Max
29d left
Deadline
full fundingOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)
OIST Visiting Scholars Program (TSVP)
Open to independent researchers of all nationalities who hold a PhD in a relevant field and work at a senior postdoctoral, junior group leader, or faculty level. Applicants must submit a strong research proposal aligned with OIST's interdisciplinary mission across mathematics, physics, computational sciences, chemistry, engineering, and the life sciences. Applications from women and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.
full
Funding
—
Max
Sep 15, 2026
Deadline
full fundingINPEX Scholarship Foundation
INPEX Scholarship
Open to nationals of Indonesia, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates who hold a relevant bachelor's degree, are under 30 years of age, have a GPA of at least 3.00, and can secure a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a graduate programme at a Japanese university before the scholarship begins. A separate outbound track exists for Japanese nationals under 35 who wish to study or research in one of the three partner countries.
full
Funding
€1k
Max
Oct 31, 2026
Deadline
full fundingOsaka University (funded by MEXT, Japanese Government)
Osaka University MEXT Scholarship for Robotics and Bioengineering
Open to non-Japanese citizens with a strong academic background in a relevant field such as robotics, bioengineering or mechanical science, who meet the MEXT programme conditions, present a focused research proposal, and obtain a supporting supervisor at Osaka University before applying.
full
Funding
€22k
Max
Nov 15, 2026
Deadline
living only fundingNishimura Foundation
Nishimura Foundation Japan International Scholarship
Open to Indonesian citizens who are graduates of UGM, ITB, UI or UNAIR and who will apply for S1 (undergraduate), S2 (master's) or S3 (doctoral) study at an eligible Japanese university. Applicants must self-fund their study programme (the scholarship covers living expenses, not tuition), meet the minimum GPA (3.0 for undergraduate, 3.5 for master's), demonstrate financial need, and have or be willing to learn Japanese with an interest in Japanese culture and Indonesia-Japan relations.
living only
Funding
€22k
Max
Dec 10, 2026
Deadline
full fundingNational Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
GRIPS Fully Funded Scholarships (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies)
Open to international students applying to GRIPS master's and PhD policy programs taught in English. Master's and five-year PhD applicants need a bachelor's degree or equivalent; three-year PhD applicants need a master's degree or equivalent. Specific scholarships (MEXT, ADB-JSP, JJ/WBGSP, JICA, Japan-IMF) each carry their own nationality, age and work-experience conditions tied to the program selected.
full
Funding
€40k
Max
Jan 15, 2027
Deadline
tuition only fundingSophia University
Sophia University Scholarships
Open to international and Japanese students who apply for one of Sophia University's English-taught undergraduate or graduate programmes in the 2026 entrance examination. The New Student Scholarship covers one-third, one-half, or full first-year tuition; the Adachi (Benefactors') Scholarship is for international students only and covers full first-year tuition plus the education enhancement fee. Scholarship applications must be submitted in a separate packet alongside the admission application; doctoral students may instead be recommended by their graduate school for the researcher-fostering scholarship without applying.
tuition only
Funding
€9k
Max
Apr 8, 2027
Deadline
full fundingKyoto University (funded by the Bai Xian Asia Institute)
Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) at Kyoto University
Citizens of eligible Asian countries who meet Kyoto University's academic and admission requirements, are committed to completing the two-year programme and participating in AFLSP leadership activities, and are admitted to a qualifying undergraduate programme. Open to students of all academic disciplines.
full
Funding
€18k
Max
Apr 10, 2027
Deadline
full fundingJapan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan
Open to international researchers from countries with diplomatic relations with Japan, across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Eligibility depends on the category: postdoctoral fellowships require a recent PhD, while invitational fellowships target senior researchers at professor or associate-professor level. Applicants cannot apply on their own; every application must be submitted by a Japanese host researcher through the JSPS Electronic Application System, and fellows must reside in Japan throughout the award period.
full
Funding
€2k
Max
Apr 28, 2027
Deadline
living only fundingTobe Maki Scholarship Foundation
Tobe Maki Foundation Scholarship in Japan
Open to students of all nationalities enrolled at a university in Japan between April 2026 and March 2027. Undergraduate applicants must be in their 3rd year or higher, and Master's and PhD students are eligible. Applicants must be under 30 years old as of 1 April 2026, conduct research within the eligible fields, hold a 'Student' residence visa (for international applicants), be self-funded rather than receiving a government scholarship, and demonstrate academic merit, good character, and financial need.
living only
Funding
€5k
Max
May 8, 2027
Deadline
full fundingGovernment of Japan (MEXT)
MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government)
Open to international students (within an age range set per category) for undergraduate, research (master's/PhD), and specialised programs at Japanese universities. Apply via the Japanese embassy in your home country (embassy recommendation) or via a Japanese university (university recommendation).
full
Funding
€9k
Max
May 29, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships
For international students from countries with diplomatic relations with Japan, applying for undergraduate, research (master's/PhD), or specialised study at Japanese universities. Apply via the Japanese embassy (embassy recommendation) or a Japanese university (university recommendation), within the age and academic requirements for the category.
full
Funding
€9k
Max
May 29, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMinistry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
Japanese Government (MEXT) Research Scholarships – Undergraduate Track
For international students (within the age range, typically ~17–24) who have completed 12 years of schooling and wish to pursue an undergraduate degree at a Japanese university under the MEXT scholarship. Apply via the Japanese embassy (embassy recommendation) in your home country during the spring window.
full
Funding
€8k
Max
May 29, 2027
Deadline
full fundingAwaji Youth Federation (Pasona Group)
Awaji Youth Federation (AYF) Fellowship
Open to applicants from any country aged roughly 24 to 35 (24 to 30 preferred) who have completed or are completing a bachelor's or master's degree, are committed to solving societal problems, and can attend the full 9-month programme on Awaji Island. No IELTS or other language test is required.
full
Funding
€11k
Max
May 31, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMatsumae International Foundation (MIF)
Matsumae International Fellowship
Open to non-Japanese researchers who already hold a PhD (doctoral degree), are 45 years old or younger at the deadline, are currently employed in their home country, and have secured a letter of acceptance from a host institution in Japan. Strong English or Japanese is required, and the programme prioritises applicants with limited prior research experience in Japan. Research must fall within Medicine, Engineering or Natural Sciences.
full
Funding
€1k
Max
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
full fundingThe University of Tokyo (Graduate School of Frontier Sciences) with the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan
Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)
Open to nationals of African countries that are members of the African Development Bank who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and gain admission to the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences at the University of Tokyo for a Master's degree. Applicants are preferably under 35, must show English (or instruction-language) proficiency, relevant development-related work experience (mid-career professionals preferred), good health, and a commitment to return home after graduation. Candidates may not already hold another scholarship at the time of application.
full
Funding
—
Max
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
full fundingMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Government of Japan
METI Japanese Internship Program (JIP)
Open to citizens of countries on the OECD/DAC list who are aged at least 20 but no more than 40 (as of the program reference date), with Japanese proficiency at JLPT level N3 or higher or strong English. Applicants must agree with the program's goals of promoting Japanese internationalization and overseas business development, be enrolled at or have graduated from a university, provide a recommendation letter, be able to join mandatory training and the internship on the JIP office's schedule, and must not have participated in the program in earlier fiscal years.
full
Funding
—
Max
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
living only fundingUnited Nations University (UNU), Office of the Rector
United Nations University Junior Fellows Internship
Open to graduate-level students and young professionals of any nationality who have a keen interest in the work of the United Nations and UNU. Junior Fellows are based mainly at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo, work full-time during university hours, and are expected to contribute to the work of the Office of the Rector for the duration of the term.
living only
Funding
€5k
Max
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
full fundingJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Long-Term Scholarships)
For young government officials and professionals from partner developing countries who are nominated/selected through their country's JICA programme (such as JDS) to pursue a master's (and some doctoral) degree in Japan. Applicants apply through the in-country JICA/JDS process during the partner country's call.
full
Funding
€20k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
How many scholarships are available in Japan?
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21 active scholarships are listed on this page, updated regularly.
Can international students apply for scholarships in Japan?
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Yes — these scholarships are open to international students; check each one's eligibility and deadline.