Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for 2026: Research Students / Embassy Recommendation (Application Through Japanese Embassies)
2025/4/16
Call for applications for 2026
MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology) offers scholarships students and artists of Switzerland and Liechtenstein who wish to study at Japanese universities as research students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for 2026.
The Embassy of Japan in Switzerland and the Scholarship Service of swissuniversities conduct the preliminary screening which consists of a document inspection, written language examinations (Japanese, English) and an interview.
DEFINITION OF RESEARCH STUDENT:
Those who are enrolled in a master’s course, a doctoral course, or a professional graduate course at a graduate school, or who are conducting research in a specialized field at an undergraduate department, graduate school, institute attached to a university, etc. with the aim of completing the course, or who are receiving preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects prior to placement at the university, etc. (Excluding Young Leaders’ Program Students or Teacher Training Students.)
FIELDS OF STUDY:
Fields of study must be subjects which applicants will be able to study and research at Japanese universities.
The Embassy of Japan in Switzerland and the Scholarship Service of swissuniversities conduct the preliminary screening which consists of a document inspection, written language examinations (Japanese, English) and an interview.
DEFINITION OF RESEARCH STUDENT:
Those who are enrolled in a master’s course, a doctoral course, or a professional graduate course at a graduate school, or who are conducting research in a specialized field at an undergraduate department, graduate school, institute attached to a university, etc. with the aim of completing the course, or who are receiving preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects prior to placement at the university, etc. (Excluding Young Leaders’ Program Students or Teacher Training Students.)
FIELDS OF STUDY:
Fields of study must be subjects which applicants will be able to study and research at Japanese universities.
Qualifications and conditions
The most important qualifications are:
(extracted from the Application Guideline)
(extracted from the Application Guideline)
- Swiss or Liechtenstein Nationality (An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible)
- Age: Applicants must have been born on or after April 2, 1991.
- Academic Requirements
- Master's course: Applicants must be university graduates and have completed at least 16 years of formal education.
- Doctoral course: Applicants who have been awarded with an overseas degree equivalent to a master's degree or professional degree
- Major Field of Study: Applicants should apply for the field of study they majored in at university or its related field. Moreover, the fields of study must be subjects which applicants will be able to study and research in graduate courses at Japanese universities.
- Japanese Language: Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese. Applicants must be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their understanding of Japan after arriving in Japan. Applicants must also have the ability to do research and adapt to living in Japan.
Application
For the Application Guideline, the Application Form, the Certificate of Health and other relevant information please visit the following link:
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-research.html
Reception deadline for the application:
June 9, 2025 (NOTE: the application must have arrived by the date of the deadline at the embassy)
Address:
Japanische Botschaft in der Schweiz
Japan Information and Cultural Center
z.H. Patrick Woodtli
Postfach
3001 Bern
Examination and interview:
June 20, 2025
(NOTE: the examination and interview will be held at the Embassy of Japan in Berne)
Arrival in Japan:
April or September/October 2026 (see Application Guidelines)
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-research.html
Reception deadline for the application:
June 9, 2025 (NOTE: the application must have arrived by the date of the deadline at the embassy)
Address:
Japanische Botschaft in der Schweiz
Japan Information and Cultural Center
z.H. Patrick Woodtli
Postfach
3001 Bern
Examination and interview:
June 20, 2025
(NOTE: the examination and interview will be held at the Embassy of Japan in Berne)
Arrival in Japan:
April or September/October 2026 (see Application Guidelines)
Contact
For more information, please contact:
Embassy of Japan, Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC), Engestrasse 43, 3012 Bern
Phone: 031 305 15 87
Email: jicc@br.mofa.go.jp
Scholarship Service of swissuniversities, Effingerstrasse 15, Postfach 3001 Bern
Ms. Lina Fischer
Phone: 031 335 07 88
Email: lina.fischer@swissuniversities.ch
https://www.swissuniversities.ch/service/stipendien-ausland
Embassy of Japan, Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC), Engestrasse 43, 3012 Bern
Phone: 031 305 15 87
Email: jicc@br.mofa.go.jp
Scholarship Service of swissuniversities, Effingerstrasse 15, Postfach 3001 Bern
Ms. Lina Fischer
Phone: 031 335 07 88
Email: lina.fischer@swissuniversities.ch
https://www.swissuniversities.ch/service/stipendien-ausland
ATTENTION
All application procedures for Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarships are conducted through Japanese embassies, consulates in your countries, or institutions of higher education in Japan. If you require further information regarding Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships, contact Japanese embassies, consulates in your countries, or institutions of higher education which you wish to enroll. Application fee is not charged. So please be aware that organizations or individuals who charge application fee or deposits have no relation with the Japanese Government.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank you for your attention.
