Location: Japan
Program: Postgraduate – Masters, PhD
Eligibility: International Students
Duration: same with course
Deadline: November 12, 2025
The 2026 MEXT University Recommendation (UR) Scholarship is a fully funded Japanese government award for graduate students, specifically Master’s and PhD students who wish to enroll at Asia Pacific University (APU), located in Beppu, Ōita, Japan. Applicants must first apply to APU and be recommended by the university to MEXT. The deadline for submission is November 12, 2025, for programs starting in September 2026. The scholarship covers admission and tuition fees, a monthly stipend of approximately 144,000 JPY, medical insurance, books, and round-trip economy airfare between the home country and APU.
Asia Pacific University (APU) is a private institution established in 2000 and located in Beppu, Ōita Prefecture. It stands out for its multicultural environment, about half of its students and many faculty members are from overseas—spanning approximately 90 countries. APU offers various graduate programs, including Development Studies, Data Science, Sustainability, Management, and more, all conducted in English. The multicultural ethos and bilingual education system (English and Japanese), combined with a broad international community, make it an attractive choice for global-minded graduate students.
Benefits of the Scholarship
The scholarship covers the following:
- Full admission fee
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly subsistence allowance of 144,000 JPY (including housing) (amount subject to change)
- Medical insurance
- Books and instructional materials
- Travel expenses (economy class airfare between the home country and APU at the beginning and end of the program)
Eligibility Criteria
- Must intend to study abroad in Japan from overseas.
- Must be a national of a MEXT designated country
- Must be born on or after April 2, 1991
- Must have achieved a GPA of at least 2.30 on a 3.00 scale at their most recent university
Note:
- Individuals currently serving on active military duty or employed as civilian staff by the military at the time of application are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Those who have previously received a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship are generally ineligible, except for those with over three years of educational or work experience since the end of their scholarship, or former recipients of certain designated programs. The Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students is not considered a MEXT Scholarship.
- Recipients must not receive any other scholarships (including those from the Japanese government, government-related organizations, or other sources) that have not been approved for concurrent acceptance with the MEXT Scholarship.
- Recipients must hold a “Student” status of residence (visa status) in Japan.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
