MEXT Scholarship Program

2025/4/15
Bourses


Every year, the Government of Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) offers scholarships to foreign students who wish to study at Japanese universities.

There are three types of scholarships offered through the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal: (1) Japanese Studies Students, (2) Undergraduate Students, and (3) Research Students. Each covers the round-trip flight between Canada and Japan, full tuition, and a monthly allowance.

Important!

This webpage describes only the scholarships available in Canada; types of scholarships available in other countries may differ.

Only Canadians, whether residing in Canada or abroad, can apply for a scholarship through one of the Japanese diplomatic missions in Canada.

Non-Canadian candidates, including permanent residents and landed immigrants, must contact a Japanese diplomatic mission in their country of citizenship. For contact information of Japanese embassies and consulates abroad, please click here.

Inquiries should be directed to the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission.
Consulate General of Japan in Montreal for Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador
Embassy of Japan in Ottawa for Ottawa/Gatineau
Consulate General of Japan in Toronto for Ontario
Consulate General of Japan in Calgary for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut
Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver for British Columbia and Yukon

Notice

Applicants should be advised that any MEXT Scholarship application cycle may be modified (schedule, procedures, etc.) or cancelled in the event of unavoidable and/or unforeseen events, such as infectious disease outbreaks.

Thinking of studying in Japan?

Read about former MEXT scholars' experiences.

Consult the Japan Student Services Organization's (JASSO) website for a wide variety of practical information about studying in Japan.

 

Types of Scholarships

Japanese Studies Students
One-year immersion in Japan for undergraduate students majoring in Japanese language and/or culture in Canada
2025 Application Cycle Status: CLOSED

Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate studies in any university subject
2026 Application Cycle Status: OPEN

Research Student
Graduate studies in any university subject
2026 Application Cycle Status: OPEN

 

** Those planning to apply for a MEXT Scholarship should carefully read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. **

Japanese Studies Students

One-year immersion in Japan for undergraduate students majoring in Japanese language and/or culture in Canada
Application Guidelines and Documents

2025 Application Cycle Status: CLOSED
Please use the information below as reference for any future application. For updates on this scholarship, subscribe to the e-Bulletin, our monthly newsletter, and follow our Facebook page and X Account.

** The general information below is indicative only; for detailed information on the scholarship, consult the official documents. **

Application Deadline
All required documents, together and in paper format, must be received by the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal by 5:00 pm EST, Friday, February 7, 2025.

Fields of Study
Japanese Language and Japanese Studies

Scholarship Duration
One year, from September/October 2025

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a candidate must meet the following main requirements. For a detailed list, please consult the Application Guidelines.

  • Be a Canadian citizen;
  • Be born between April 2, 1995, and April 1, 2007;
  • Be an undergraduate student at a foreign (non-Japanese) university majoring in a field related to Japanese language and/or culture before and after the period covered by the scholarship and having completed at least one year of said studies by September 1, 2025;
  • Possess the necessary language proficiency to receive instruction in Japanese.

University Placement
Designated by MEXT, taking into account your stated preferences.

You may refer to the Course Guide of Japanese Studies Program (日本語・日本文化研修留学生コースガイド) to consider your placement preferences.

Application Process Overview

  • Application deadline (early February)
  • Review of documents (early February)
  • 1st screening: examinations (Japanese) and interviews (mid-February)
  • 1st screening result notification (mid-March)
  • 2nd screening, by MEXT
  • 2nd screening result notification (July-August)
  • Placement notification and pre-departure preparations
  • Departure for Japan (September/October)

Notes
Applicants should use the Document Checklist and may also book an appointment with the MEXT Scholarship Desk for final verification purposes prior to submitting their application.

Examinations and interviews will be held in person at the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal; no exceptions will be made.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to review examples of qualifying examinations on the Study in Japan website.

Please read all available documentation carefully and consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. Should you have any questions thereafter, please do not hesitate to contact the Montreal MEXT Scholarship Desk.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate studies in any university subject
Application Guidelines and Documents

2026 Application Cycle Status: OPEN

** The general information below is indicative only; for detailed information on the scholarship, consult the official documents. **

Application Deadline
All required documents, together and in paper format, must be received by the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal by 5:00 pm EDT, Friday, May 30, 2025.

Fields of Study
Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health Sciences (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy)

Scholarship Duration
5 years from April 2026 for Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences
7 years from April 2026 for Health Sciences

*The scholarship period includes a one-year intensive preparatory course in the Japanese language and other necessary subjects at an institution designated by MEXT. Exemption may be possible by applying for direct placement.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a candidate must meet the following main requirements. For a detailed list, please consult the Application Guidelines.

  • Be a Canadian citizen;
  • Be born on or after April 2, 2001;
  • Have completed at least 12 years of education or a program the equivalent of Japanese Senior High School by March 2026;
  • Possess good Japanese language proficiency, sufficient to receive instruction in Japanese if applicable.

University Placement
Designated by MEXT, taking into account your stated preferences.

Application Process Overview

  • Application deadline (late May)
  • Review of documents (June)
  • 1st screening: examinations (Japanese, English, and Mathematics; plus Sciences*) and interviews (July)
        *Only for applicants who choose a Natural Science field
  • 1st screening result notification (August)
  • 2nd screening, by MEXT
  • 2nd screening result and placement notification (January/February)
  • Pre-departure preparations
  • Departure for Japan (April or September/October)

Notes
Applicants should use the Document Checklist and may also book an appointment with the MEXT Scholarship Desk for final verification purposes prior to submitting their application.

Examinations and interviews will be held in person at the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal; no exceptions will be made.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to review examples of qualifying examinations on the Study in Japan website. 
IMPORTANT: The Japanese high school curriculum being largely different from Canada's, Undergraduate Students Scholarship applicants should pay special attention to the material covered in the examinations.

Please read all available documentation carefully and consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. Should you have any questions thereafter, please do not hesitate to contact the Montreal MEXT Scholarship Desk.

Research Students

Graduate studies in any university subject
Application Guidelines and Documents

2026 Application Cycle Status: OPEN

** The general information below is indicative only; for detailed information on the scholarship, consult the official documents. **

Application Deadline
All required documents, together and in paper format, must be received by the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal by 5:00 pm EDT, Friday, May 23, 2025.

Fields of Study
Must be the same field that the applicant has majored in or a related field, and be available at Japanese universities.

Scholarship Duration
Standard recognized length of selected graduate program.

In the case of non-regular students (non-degree track), the initial scholarship period would be 2 years from April 2026 for a spring departure, or 18 months from September/October 2026 for a fall departure. Once successfully enrolled in a graduate program (Master's or PhD), the scholarship period is extended to cover the standard recognized length of said program.

*Scholarship period includes a six-month Japanese language preparatory course for recipients who require it.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a candidate must meet the following main requirements. For a detailed list, please consult the Application Guidelines.

  • Be a Canadian citizen;
  • Be born on or after April 2, 1991;
  • Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher;
  • Have sufficient English or Japanese language proficiency to complete the selected program.

University Placement
Designated by MEXT, in conjunction with the Japanese universities who have issued a provisional acceptance letter to the candidate.

Application Process Overview

  • Application deadline (May)
  • Review of documents (May-June)
  • 1st screening: examinations (English and Japanese) and interviews (July)
  • 1st screening result notification (July)
  • Submission of letters of admission or provisional acceptance (September)
  • 2nd screening, by MEXT
  • 2nd screening result and placement notification (January-February)
  • Pre-departure preparations
  • Departure for Japan (April or September/October)

Notes
Applicants should use the Document Checklist and may also book an appointment with the MEXT Scholarship Desk for final verification purposes prior to submitting their application.

Examinations and interviews will be held in person at the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal; no exceptions will be made.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to review examples of qualifying examinations on the Study in Japan website.

Please read all available documentation carefully and consult our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. Should you have any questions thereafter, please do not hesitate to contact the Montreal MEXT Scholarship Desk.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

DISCLAIMER: The complementary information below is provided for reference only; the MEXT Scholarship Application Guidelines and other official documents take precedence.


- - - - GENERAL
I want to study in Japan but, after reading the information above, the MEXT Scholarship Program does not seem like the right fit for me; what should I do?
Anyone interested in studying in Japan should consult JASSO’s website for its wide array of information on studying in Japan as well as its helpful lists of different universities, programs, and scholarships offered by various organizations. Also, some Canadian universities have formed partnerships with Japanese universities; there may also be opportunities to explore there.
When does the academic year begin and end in universities in Japan?
The academic year in universities in Japan begins in April and ends in March of the following year. In most cases, the year is divided into two semesters, the first lasting from April to September and the second from October to March.
How should I submit my application?
Application files, containing all required documents together and in paper version, must be submitted in person or via postal services to the Japanese diplomatic mission nearest you.
How can I get updates on the MEXT Scholarships?
Future applicants are encouraged to check our website regularly, subscribe to our monthly newsletter the e-Bulletin, and follow our Facebook page and X account to get up-to-date information about application cycles and deadlines, information sessions, etc.


- - - - APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
The new documents for the upcoming application cycle are not available yet; can I use the previous year’s?
No. You may use them as reference, but submitting forms other than the prescribed ones for the current application cycles is grounds for disqualification.
In the Application Guidelines, it is mentioned that we have to submit originals and copies of the different documents required; what does this mean?
An original is a document with authentic pen-to-paper signatures, and/or stamped or embossed seals; it is not the result of a photocopy, fax, scan, etc.

A copy however is a reproduction of the original document via photocopy, fax, scan, etc.

PDFs, even if official and digitally-signed or -certified, will not be accepted.
What translations must be included in my application file?
All documents in a language other than English or Japanese must be submitted with an English or Japanese translation. If the original documents are in French, the translation does not need to be done by a certified professional as the MEXT Scholarship Desk will ensure the exactitude and validity of the translation upon reception.
If possible, should I complete all application documents in Japanese?
You are free to complete the application documents in Japanese; doing so may help prove your Japanese proficiency from an earlier point in the application process, but it is not required.

However, while application documents in Japanese are welcome, an English translation of the documents should be included as not all members of the paper screening committee may be fluent in Japanese.
Is there a specific format for the Recommendation Letter?
As indicated in the Application Guidelines, there is no specific format required, but a sample format is available.

However, candidates must clearly communicate the following instructions to their referee: (1) if possible, the letter should be written either in English or Japanese; (2) the appropriate number of copies should be included alongside the original; (3) the letter must be signed by hand, pen-to-paper; (4) the envelope containing the letter must be sealed; (5) and the referee must sign across the seal. Finally, the applicant must submit the unopened envelope with their application file.
What academic transcripts should I submit?
Applicants must submit the appropriate transcripts according to their academic backgrounds; details are available in the Application Guidelines.

However, while the academic transcripts do not absolutely have to be submitted sealed, they must be paper originals issued by competent and relevant authorities.

Moreover, should the applicant have obtained credits from other academic institutions – e.g. through school transfers or foreign exchanges –, and said credits have been/will be counted towards graduation, official transcripts from those other academic institutions will also need to be submitted.
I want to keep my original diploma; if I submit it as proof of graduation, can it be returned to me after the application process?
No. No document submitted will be returned. Applicants may instead submit a certified copy of their diploma issued and signed/sealed/stamped by competent and relevant authorities (e.g. their school’s registrar’s office). Uncertified photocopies or scans will not be accepted.
My school cannot issue a Proof of Expected Graduation; what should I do?
To this day, we have not come across any academic institution unable to produce a Proof of Expected Graduation, or certificate of prospective graduation. The problem is most likely in the wording of the request. The required document is a letter issued by a competent authority at your university (e.g. the registrar’s office) stating that, based on your current academic track, and if the program/university conditions are met, you are expected to obtain your degree in (insert month and year). It should be made clear that this is in no way a document confirming graduation.


- - - - SCHOLARSHIP-SPECIFIC
(Undergraduate) One of the basic eligibility criteria is having completed 12 years of education; what does that entail?
For the majority of Canadians, twelve years of education entails graduating high school. Quebec residents however will have only completed 11 years of education upon graduating from high school due to differences in the province’s educational system. Quebec high school graduates will need to complete at least one year of college (CEGEP) education to be eligible for this scholarship.

That being said, as noted above, the Japanese high school curriculum being largely different from Canada's, Undergraduate Students Scholarship applicants should refer to past years’ examples of the scholarship’s qualifying examinations available on the Study in Japan website and pay extra special attention to the material covered therein.
(Research) Am I supposed to contact potential supervisors and universities before submitting my application?
Applicants are not required to contact potential universities until after successfully passing the first screening. However, it is highly recommended that applicants do in-depth research – which may include establishing contact – regarding universities and available programs, and laboratories and supervisors in their field of study early on in the application process. This is a vital step in clarifying one’s purpose in wanting to study in Japan and applying for a MEXT Scholarship. Moreover, applicants who have done preliminary research will be better equipped to write and submit a precise, concrete and detailed research proposal.
(Research) I want to complete a master’s/doctoral program, why could it be recommended to start off as a non-regular student (non-degree track)?
If an applicant wishes to begin a degree-track program right away upon their arrival in Japan, they may do so. However, most graduate programs require examinations and/or interviews to be conducted in person before applicants can be accepted into the program. In those cases, a trip to Japan must be arranged ahead of the start of the MEXT Scholarship period; it is thus the applicant’s responsibility to make all arrangements and cover any related fees (transportation, accommodation, etc.).

Another option is to travel to Japan and begin their studies as non-regular/non-degree track students. They would then be on site and in an ideal position to apply to their university’s graduate program of their choice. This option may extend somewhat the total duration of the studies in Japan, but it is also less expensive and relatively hassle-free.

It is the applicant's responsibility to adequately research the application procedures and deadlines of the different programs and universities in order to make an informed decision.

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