MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarships

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho/MEXT) of the Government of Japan offers scholarships to foreign students who wish to study at Japanese universities. Only Canadian citizens living in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, The Northwest Territories, and Nunavut can apply for these programs through the Consulate-General of Japan at Calgary, Canada. The necessary forms can be accessed via the links below. For those that are nationals of a country other than Canada which has diplomatic relations with the Japanese government you must apply via the appropriate Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of citizenship.

 

NOTE: Please be aware that interviews and tests for applicants within the jurisdiction of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, The Northwest Territories, and Nunavut will take place at the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary.

 

Before beginning the application process, please review the websites below for information on studying in Japan, information on Japanese universities, and MEXT Scholarship Alumni.

 

Study in Japan

Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)

JASSO Student Guide to Japan

Web Japan

Japan Study Support

MEXT Scholarship Alumni Association of Prairie Provinces

 

Scholarship Categories

 

• Research Studies
• Undergraduate Studies
• Japanese Studies

 

Applications must be sent to the Japanese diplomatic mission which has jurisdiction over the location of your place of residence. Note as follows the Japanese diplomatic missions in Canada and their jurisdictions with respect to the MEXT application process :

 

Japanese Diplomatic Mission	MEXT Application Jurisdiction
Embassy of Japan in Ottawa	The City of Ottawa
Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver	British Columbia, The Yukon
Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary	Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto	Ontario
Consulate-General of Japan in Montreal	Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador

 

For those in the jurisdiction of the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary, send Applications and Related Documents to:

Attn: MEXT Coordinator, Public Relations & Culture
Suite 950, 517-10th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R 0A8

For information, please email: info@cl.mofa.go.jp

Currently Open For Application: Yes

Duration:

• 24 months, beginning in April 2026 until March 2028; or
• 18 months, beginning in September or October 2026 until March 2028

Outline of Eligibility:

• Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher
• Age: born on or after April 2, 1991
• Study Area: the same field that the applicant has studied, or a related field
• Citizenship: Canadian

Departure Date: April or October 2026

Placement at University: Designated by MEXT, based on your admission or a letter of provisional acceptance you obtain from Japanese universities.

Application Deadline: Friday, May 23, 2025

Selection Process:

1. Application documents review
2. Examination (Japanese and English) and Interview: Between July 1 to 15, 2025 [Exact Date TBD]
3. First Screening notification of results: late July, 2025
4. Obtain admissions or letters of provisional acceptance

Application Instructions:
To download Application Forms and the Application Guidelines for the MEXT 2026 Research Studies Scholarship please visit the following page:
MEXT Scholarship for 2026 Embassy Recommendation

Currently Open For Application: Yes

Duration: 5 years, beginning in April 2026
*The first year is language training
**For those majoring in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or a six-year course in pharmacy, the term of the scholarship is 7 years

Outline of Eligibility:

• Education: High school diploma or higher
• Age: born on or after April 2, 2001
• Citizenship: Canadian

Departure Date: April 2026
Placement at University: Designated by MEXT, based on your field's and subjects choices.
Application Deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025
Selection Process:

1. Application documents review
2. Examination (Japanese, English, Mathematics and Science*) and Interview: Between July 1 to 15, 2025 [Exact Date TBD]
    *Only for applicants who choose Natural Science field
3. Notification of 1st screening results: early August, 2025

Application Instructions:
To download Application Forms and the Application Guidelines for the MEXT 2026 Undergraduate Studies Scholarship please visit the following page:
MEXT Scholarship for 2026 Embassy Recommendation

Currently Open For Application: No

The application period is now closed. The application details for 2025 are as follows and are for reference purposes only.

Duration: 1 year, beginning in October or September 2025.
Outline of Eligibility:

• Degree: undergraduates at non-Japanese universities majoring in fields related to the Japanese language and/or culture.
• Age: born between April 2, 1995 and April 1, 2007
• Citizenship: Canadian

*Applicant can submit a proof document concerning Japanese-language ability.

Departure Date: September or October 2025
Placement at University: Designated by MEXT, taking into consideration your Japanese language ability, the result of written examination and specialized courses you wish to take.
Application Deadline: Friday, February 7, 2025
Selection Process:

1. Documents Review
2. Examination (Japanese) and interview: mid- or late-February 2025
3. Result notification: August 2025

Application Instructions:
To download Application Forms and the Application Guidelines for the MEXT 2025 Japanese Studies Scholarship please visit the following page:
MEXT Scholarship for 2025 Embassy Recommendation