Kyoto University Announced MEXT Scholarship 2026-2027 Cohort in Japan
Japan has officially switched into full scholarship-recruitment mode for 2026, and this announcement from Kyoto University is one of the strongest signals yet. The MEXT Scholarship 2026 (University Recommendation – General Program) is now open through the Graduate School of Medicine at Kyoto University, offering outstanding international candidates a rare, fully funded entry point into Japan’s elite research ecosystem. This route is designed for foreign applicants who will enter Japan as research students in October 2026, with a clear and supported pathway toward full master’s or doctoral degrees — and because it is a university-nominated track, it carries serious prestige and selectivity.
What makes this opportunity stand out is how completely it removes financial barriers. Successful candidates receive a monthly stipend of JPY 143,000, full waiver of tuition and admission fees, and round-trip international airfare, allowing scholars to focus entirely on research and academic growth. The scholarship runs from October 2026 to March 2028, starting with admission as a Research Student, with strong prospects to continue into a full degree program once academic progression is approved.
Kyoto University is targeting academically strong, research-driven candidates who are ready to work under a host laboratory in medicine or closely related disciplines. Applicants must be non-Japanese nationals, meet the minimum academic coefficient of 2.30, satisfy Japanese or English language requirements (JLPT N2+ or CEFR B2 / IELTS 5.5+ or equivalent), and come from a MEXT-designated country. The process follows the university-recommendation model, meaning candidates must first secure interest from a prospective laboratory, submit their complete documents through that lab, and pass Kyoto University’s internal screening before being nominated to MEXT. Final results are expected by June 2026, with arrival in Japan planned for September–October 2026.
Foreign candidates who meet the profile and are serious about launching a funded research career in Japan should move quickly. Full details and official guidance are available at https://www.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/news/26030, and all application documents must be submitted by Friday, January 30, 2026, through the prospective laboratory to the Office of Student Affairs at the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University.
