UPGRAYEDD

This is a work in progress and will be updated and edited with frequency.

In the meantime. If you have any general questions about the MEXT scholarship system or think you know a good question that might be frequently asked, go ahead and post it here and we'll make this thread together.


1. What are the 'MEXT Scholarships'?

The MEXT scholarships are various scholarships run by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology(MEXT) with the goal of bringing international students to study in Japan. The scholarship covers tuition and gives a monthly stipend for living expenses and even pays for the study of Japanese before you begin official studies.

2. What kind of scholarships exist?

There are five MEXT scholarships for international students.

1. Japanese Studies Scholarship - For undergraduate students who wish to study Japan related issues for up to one year.
2. Teachers in Service Training Scholarship - This scholarship is designed to offer professional training for teachers who are currently credentialed and have more than 5 years of teaching experience.
3. Research Student Scholarship - For postgraduates interested in pursuing graduate studies in a Japanese University.
4. Vocational School Scholarship - This is primarily aimed at students from developing nations and gives students the opportunity to study certain trades in Japan.
5. Undergraduate Student Scholarship - This provides a chance for high school students to persue a bachleors degree at a Japanese University and provides for up to a year of Japanese language training.

3. Why is there a heavy bias towards the Research Student Scholarship on this forum?

This is because I Think I'm Lost is a website primarially populated by participants of the JET Program. However, everyone who is interested in discussing the MEXT scholarships will be welcomed on this forum.

4. Do you need to be fluent in Japanese in order to apply for a MEXT scholarship?

Certain fields of study such as history, law, literature, linguistics do require full fluency. For other research programs the Japanese government will provide for Japanese language training. However, you should realize that this is Japan and a significant amount of Japanese will be necessary to live and study here.

5. How much is the monthy stipend?

The stipend is subject to yearly change depending on the budget of MEXT. For the 2009 budget year the monthly stipend is

Japanese studies - 125,000 + up to 3,000 for Cost of Living (COL)
Teachers in service - 170,000 (as of 2008)
Research - Differs depending on your student classification

Research students - 152,000
Students enrolled in a masters course - 154,000
Students enrolled in a doctoral course - 155,000
Possible extra COL - Up to 3,000

Vocational - 125,000 + 3,000 (COL)
Undergrad - 125,000 + 3,000 (COL)

6. Does MEXT provide scholarships to public or private schools?

Both. However, your preference may not be possible due to budget concerns.

7. Does MEXT provide for transport costs to and from Japan?

Yes

8. Does MEXT give preference to JET Alumni?

In 2008 there was a special quota for JET Alumni created. The quota was not continued for the 2009 application year. Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis and more Japan experience will positively affect your application.

9. How do you apply for the MEXT scholarships and what is the typical timeline?

You must apply through your local Japanese embassy or consulate. In the case that you reside in Japan. You may apply but will be required to return to your home country for an interview. Please contact a consulate or embassy in your home country for more specific information.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html

The following is an example timeline for applying for the research scholarship.

April - Obtain application from Japanese consulate/embassy
May - Submit application
June - Application is screened by the Japanese government and interviews are held
July - Receive initial acceptance from MEXT
July-October - Contact Japanese universities about receiving a letter of acceptance to study.
October - December - Submit letters of acceptance from universities to MEXT
January - February - Receive acceptance from MEXT to study in Japan
April or October - Enter Japanese university

10. What does initial acceptance mean?

This means that you passed the interview stage for the scholarship and may now contact Japanese universities for acceptance. It does not mean that you will receive the scholarship.

11. How do I contact a Japanese university once I receive initial acceptance?

You would need to contact the Japanese universities you are interested in attending regarding the specific procedures to obtain a letter of acceptance.

12. What is the difference between a research student and a masters student?

A research student is a student who studies at a Japanese university without obtaining a degree. A masters student is someone enrolled in a master's degree program.

13. How do I enter a master's program?

You have to pass the entrance examination or fulfill other requirements as dictated by the university. If you do this your scholarship may be extended until the completion of the program.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

hige

Thanks for starting this, I have been reading about the MEXT for a while, but was a little confused about the whole process. After reading the information provided in the links thread I still have one big initial question:

What is this 'recruitment' process by the embassies all about. I know they aren't like the army guys at the subway station who sit at tables and try to sucker people into joining a cause. Basically what I am saying is I want to be recruited. Do I go to the consulate (a short 15 minute subway ride uptown) and talk to them directly....or what?

I am getting my BA in Literature in May (writing my senior work on Cont. Japanese Lit), have studied Japanese for three years (though I have no idea how I would do on the JLPT - maybe 3kyuu) and want to continue studying Japanese literature in a masters program in Japan.

Is this the type of candidate that gets 'recruited'? I know when the time comes I would have a stellar recommendation in the bag.

Thanks ahead of time, the fog on this MEXT thing is starting to lift.

UPGRAYEDD

Good question.

In order to get the mext scholarships you have to apply for them through a consulate of Japan. The applications usually go up in late March or early April.

I would suggest that you look over the guidelines for the research student scholarship. These guidelines are for US citizens. If you are not one check out the Japanese consulate in your area.

http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/...9kenkyu_en.pdf

For the application you need to present a detailed research plan. So if you want the scholarship you need to start thinking about what you want to study.

To apply you put your research plan together, fill out the applications, gather transcripts, letters of recommendations, and send it all off to the Japanese consulate. Then you get an interview. If that goes well you get initial selection. Once you get initial selection you apply for schools in Japan. After you hear back from the schools and start receiving letters of acceptance you send that back to the Japanese consulate who then look everything over again and give you a yes/no answer. If you get a yes you go to Japan the following April or October depending on your choice.

I hope that answered your question.

PS.

The scholarship to study at the masters level is for research students only. That means you come over as a 'non-degree' and 'non-regular' student and can not matriculate towards a masters degree....

Now don't sweat. There is good news. You can become a masters student and have your scholarship extended until the point you complete your masters. The procedure to do this is different at every school so I would contact schools and programs you are interested in attending and asking for more information there.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

Saitaman

4. SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
(1) Allowance: Under the fiscal 2008 budget each grantee will be provided monthly with 170,000 yen, and 160,000 yen in and after the thirteenth month of stay in Japan(subject to change, however, depending upon the annual budget of each year). The scholarship will not be paid to a grantee who takes a leave of absence or is long absent from his/her university.
Scholarship will be cancelled for a grantee if
① any of his/her application documents is found to be falsely stated;
② he/she is in breach of his/her pledge made to the Minister of MONBUKAGAKUSHO(MEXT);
③ he/she is subjected to disciplinary action, such as expulsion or removal from register, taken by his/her university or the preparatory Japanese-teaching institution;
④ it becomes definitive that the grantee will not be able to complete his/her course within the standard course term because of his/her poor academic achievement or suspension;
⑤ his/her resident status of "College Student" as provided for in Paragraph 1-4 of Appendix to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act changes to any other status; or
⑥ he/she is provided with another scholarship(except for a scholarship designated for research expenses).
(2) Traveling Costs
① Transportation to Japan: Each grantee will be provided, according to his/her itinerary and route as designated by MEXT, with an economy class air ticket from the international airport closest to his/her place of residence to Narita International Airport (or following the itinerary normally used by the university where the grantee is placed). Expenses such as inland transportation from his/her place of residence to the nearest international airport, airport tax, special taxes on overseas travel and travel expenses within Japan will be borne by the grantee (the place of residence of the grantee shall in principle be the address stated in the application form). Air travel from a country other than the grantee・s nationality will not be covered, nor travel to Japan before April 1, 2009.
If the grantee comes to Japan to obtain admission to a university, he/she will not be provided with traveling cost to Japan.
② Transportation from Japan: The grantee who returns to his/her home country within the last-payment month of his/her scholarship will be provided, upon application, with an economy class air ticket for a flight from Narita International Airport (or following the itinerary normally used by the university where the grantee is placed) to the international airport closest to his/her place of return.
Note: Insurance premiums for travel to/from Japan shall be borne by the grantee. The airport the grantee departs from or returns to must be an airport of the country of his/her nationality.
③ School Fees: Fees for matriculation, tuition and entrance examinations at a university will be paid by the Japanese government. If the grantee moves on to higher education as a nonregular student, he/she will pay for entrance examinations.


Not a bad deal..

UPGRAYEDD

The scholarship allowance has been reduced to 152,000 a month starting this year due to bad economy and stuff.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

Saitaman

still not that bad of a deal.

hige

Thanks for the info Upgrayedd it was indeed helpful.

Based on what you said and what I have been reading it sounds like the Munbusho is somewhat similar to the Fulbright Fellowship program. I applied for a Fulbright last fall (and was ultimately rejected) but I spent a lot of time preparing a very detailed research plan for that (concerning Okinawan identity vis-a-vis America and the main island through contemporary Okinawan literature and music).

Am I correct in saying the two programs are similar?

Also, are you have you received a Munbusho scholarship? If so, would you mind letting me know a little bit about your project?

Thanks again.

UPGRAYEDD

I don't know much about the Fulbright but it sounds similar.

I'm not on the scholarship now though I plan on applying for it in the future. I'm leaning towards studying strategic communications (international business related) or international logistics.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

bluecheese

Hi, I am new here so hi first of all. Ok, I have applied to for the MEXT scholarship however, I have a couple of questions I hope you could clear up for me.

1) I have looked at more websites than I care to remember looking for MEXT info but am left a little confused by the fact that some state that there is always an English language part of the exam- is this right even if English is your first language?

2) Is it all dependent on how good your Japanese ability is? I think I am 4 perhaps 3.

3)am applying while still at uni. I am studying Japanese and will be spending the next year in Japan studying- is this still the same process cause it seems alot of people are doing it through the researchers path?

Thankyou very much

Blue

UPGRAYEDD

You need to take a Japanese test for sure. Unless the program you are going to enter does not require Japanese ability. If you need Japanese ability you will need to be well beyond JLPT 1 by the time you start classes. The government will pay for up to 6 months of a language school but you should be as honest with yourself...If you are going into a program that requires classes in Japanese and you are around a 4 or 3 it will be near impossible to get up to speed and might want to study Japanese for a few more years.

I don't know anything about a test in English.

I'm confused about your last question. Are you studying abroad in Japan? If so then you still need to apply through your local consulate/embassy. If you are attending a Japanese university as a regular 'domestic' student you apply for the MEXT scholarship a different way.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

bluecheese

Thanks for the reply.

JLPT1 that surely can't be right. From my university alone there have been 4 second year students put forward for the MEXT scholarship and non of them are even level 2. Many uni's I looked at in Japan that offer the MEXT scholarship state that they are looking for JLPT 4 or 3. I hope this is not the case other wise it would be curtains for nearly every undergraduate aplying.

Still thanks for the feedback. I shall keep you updated if I get through as there seems to be a little confusion from forum to forum on the whole thing. I sent my application of through my via my uni to the embassy this month so apparently should find out if i am invited to the interview stage next month.

fingers crossed

UPGRAYEDD

http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.j...tPlacement.htm

Here is a list of what the universities expect your Japanese to be just for you to attend classes taught in Japanese.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

UPGRAYEDD

Ah and I believe you are trying for the Japanese studies scholarship and not the research scholarship?

Sorry for the mix up. Most of us here on JET are college grads and looking into grad school.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

bluecheese

Yeah thats the one. Appologies for the mix up. I find the whole thing a little confusing. Yeah it is the Japanese Studies scholarship I am going for. Do you know anything about it? I really hope so.

Blue

UPGRAYEDD

No, sorry. This is still a brand new forum to talk about the scholarships and we haven't attracted many interested people yet.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

hige

Any idea when the applications will be posted? I called the consulate, left a message, but am still waiting to get a reply...

Also, I am a little confused by the link to the ATL page you posted UPGRAYYED. Where on there does it state that the level of JLPT you need to have...is it the last column marked either 1 or 2? I am no one near a 2...I think and this is a problem because my project would concern literature.

Also, concerning the list, are those the only universities that currently accept MEXTs? My project will likely deal with Okinawa, but the University of the Ryukyus only has like science people. I didn't see anything like that sheet on the NYC consulate page...

UPGRAYEDD

Aprilish

The comment column is JLPT level for direct placement. Meaning that is what is required to enter the school/department without going to Japanese school. You can also assume that is what level they want students who attend the Japanese prep schools to be at when they finish.

I don't think it is a complete list because there are a few schools not listed that I know for sure take MEXT scholars. Just using it to get an idea what Japanese level you need to study in Japan. Part of the deal is Japanese school so if you think you can get up to speed after some intense Japanese lessons by all means you shouldn't worry.

Programs in English are exempt from this.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

elleohelle

Do you know if getting a JASSO when studying abroad disqualifies you?
Thanks.

UPGRAYEDD

You can't accept other scholarships when you are on the MEXT ride.

__________________
You see, gentlemen, a pimp's love is very different from a square's...
(郷に入っては郷に従え.)

elleohelle

I was on JASSO when I studied abroad last year. I wonder if I would still be eligble for a Monbusho later? Apparently, JASSO is an independent scholarship source (the website's wording is confusing).