MEXT Scholarship program (Embassy Recommendation)

The English-track program at the Graduate School of Governance Studies accepts international students with the MEXT Scholarship support. We can offer a special arrangement for eliminating the non-degree Research Student period so that the MEXT scholars can obtain the MPP degree in four semesters. On the other hand, MEXT scholars may choose to join us as Research Student and formally apply to the MPP program later.
 

Special arrangement for eliminating the non-degree status period (September enrollment only):

If a MEXT scholarship awardee is admitted to the MPP program at the Graduate School of Governance Studies prior to his/her arrival in Japan, he or she may be eligible to eliminate the non-degree (research) student requirement at Meiji University and start the two-year program for the MPP degree immediately after their arrival (in September). Please be reminded that this special arrangement must be approved by the MEXT for each scholarship awardee.
Click here for more infomation posted by Internationl Education Department, Meiji.
 

Eligible students are able to join the Graduate School of Governance Studies with financial support through the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship via Embassy Recommendation, inclusive of a full tuition waiver, flights to/from Tokyo, and a monthly stipend. The MEXT Scholarship Embassy Recommendation process is coordinated via Japanese Diplomatic Missions (i.e., embassies and consulates), and students should consult with the appropriate Mission within their country of nationality for details regarding key details and dates. As per the guidelines of the Scholarship, prospective students will be required to demonstrate the achievement of a minimum GPA in prior studies, must have the nationality of a country that has formal relations with Japan, and must meet age requirements (in the case of the 2023/2024 scholarship, be born after April 1, 1989) in order to be eligible for consideration. The Guidelines for the application are available on the MEXT website. 

The Graduate School of Governance Studies' Masters of Public Policy program is available in English, and in the past, advanced Japanese proficiency was not a prerequisite for selection in the Embassy Recommendation process. This makes the Scholarship an attractive option for those who are seeking fully funded support to develop their research skills and attain a Professional Master of Public Policy degree but do not have a background in the Japanese language. A typical pathway for MEXT Scholarship participants is to join the school as a Research Student for an initial period (at least one semester) prior to formally applying to the Master of Public Policy program at a later date, although consideration for eliminating this initial period is available for applicants joining in the September semester. Research Students still receive a tuition waiver and stipend, and are able to attend classes at the Graduate School of Governance Studies.

The application process usually opens in April in the year prior to enrolment, with the first screening conducted by Japanese Missions around June. There are numerous key dates and deadlines within the process, and it is important that prospective applicants are familiar with the MEXT Guidelines for the Embassy Recommendation route. Note that the Scholarship is quite competitive, and the number of application documents is numerous - as such, it is advised that prospective students prepare for the application process as far in advance as practicable. In particular, the submission of a strong Field of Study and Research Plan document is said to be a key component of the first screening process and should be prioritized when writing the application documents. Applicants who are successful in the first screening will subsequently be requested to contact Japanese universities to seek provision acceptance of enrolment, and it is at this time when students should formally request consideration through Meiji University. More details of this part of the process are available at https://www.meiji.ac.jp/cip/english/admissions/financial/mext.html. Applicants are usually advised of their success in the January or February of the year of enrolment, with start dates available for the April or September semesters.