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Saturday 12 November 2016

MEXT research scholarship information and advice


Introduction

I decided to apply for the MEXT research scholarship last year. This turned out to be one of the most confusing application processes ever, partly because the official MEXT websites give so little information. I collected my findings here so that someone else might benefit from the weeks (months?) of internet research I did for it.

Please note this is about the RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP, not other types of MEXT scholarship. Also, a large part of the information here is neither “official” nor from my personal experience of the application process, but simply the prevailing opinion that I have culled from various blogs and forums. Always give precedence to instructions given to you by your university or embassy.

If there are any mistakes here or I have failed to give credit where it’s due, please let me know.

Part 1: Before starting the application

-Overview of MEXT and Universities in Japan

-Timeline

-Finding a university and research group

-Contacting supervisors

Part 2: The application itself

-University recommendation

-Research plan

-Other application documents

-Language tests

-Interview at the embassy

Part 3: If you pass the embassy selection

-Getting letters of acceptance (LoA)

-The Long Wait

-What are the chances of getting the scholarship?

-My sources

-A final note
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10 comments:

  1. Unknown10 April 2017 at 10:41

    Hello!
    I really love your blog, thank you so much for this information, it is really helpful!
    I would like to know, though, if it's possible for you to describe how to map your 4 page research plan to the embassy form?
    I am writing my proposal now and feel pretty confident in it, but I'm really not sure how to map it to their structure.
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. G10 April 2017 at 12:14

      Thanks, I'm glad that you found the information helpful.

      Part 1 "Present field of study" is pretty obvious I think. But don't just write "Electrical Engineering" or something - describe what kind of lecture courses you've taken and your thesis if you know the topic already. You could also mention recent relevant(!!) internships, summer schools etc.

      Part 2 "Your research topic in Japan" I wrote in general terms about what the field of my research in Japan would be and why it is important and relevant to Japan. I tried to write this in a way that anyone could understand.

      Part 3 "Study program in Japan" I wrote my detailed plans. I don't think it would have been understandable to someone outside my field. I had an "Aims" section at the beginning and a brief "motivation" paragraph at the end about how I wanted to continue improving my Japanese etc. On the last page I put a timetable and a few weblinks about the research.

      However I don't think it matters too much which information you put in each part of the form as long as your plan is solid overall.

      Delete
    2. Unknown10 April 2017 at 12:56

      Thank you once again!

      How do you feel about making formal research proposal with Introduction, Problem, Methodology, etc. sections and attaching it to the application form instead of filling it? I've heard of some people doing it, and thinking about it myself, as it may allow to structure the whole thing more neatly and fiddle a little bit with typography, which in turn might make the application stand out a little bit.

      Sorry if I'm being a nuisance!

      Delete
    3. G10 April 2017 at 13:14

      I'm happy to answer your questions. I know the application can be confusing.

      If a formal proposal is what you feel most comfortable submitting then go ahead. But to my mind it is better to stick with the form's headings if you can rather than completely ignoring them and attaching a separate plan, because that kind of suggests "I don't like your application form, I'm going to answer a different question instead". The fact is, the actual form is called "Field of study and study program" not "Research Proposal".

      I added my own subheadings under Part 2 and Part 3, like "Introduction to the field" and "Aims", to break up the text and highlight that I had clear aims etc. That could also be an option for you.

      Obviously I am not someone who has actually judged other people's applictions, I am just someone who applied. So I can only say what I did and give my opinion but the selection committee may have different thoughts about it.

      Delete
  2. Unknown26 April 2017 at 22:22

    Hello there thnx for your information it was useful for me
    any way i wanna ask which 3 bests universities at japan u recommend m to contact before starting the application

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. G30 April 2017 at 13:19

      I don't know what subject you intend to study and even if I did I wouldn't know which universities would be best for you... You will have to figure that out for yourself.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous12 May 2017 at 18:41

    thank you very much for your useful information
    there is a thing that I've been wondering and I hope you could give me some advice
    Although it takes me 2 more years to graduate from university ( I am a medical student, major in dentistry ), I can say that my academic result is not very good. About 7.6/10. I do plan on taking the JLPT ( N2 level) and ielts tests by the time I graduate. Do you think I have any chance getting close to the scholarship?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. G21 May 2017 at 09:40

      How difficult it is to get the scholarship depends on which country's embassy you are applying to. If your embassy doesn't state a minimum grade, I would encourage you to apply anyway. They might overlook a slightly low GPA if the rest of your application is good. Also you still have a couple of years to improve your grades.

      Delete
  4. Unknown22 March 2019 at 21:30

    Hi I found this site very important .I have BSC in Public Health going to apply for MEXT 2020 as a research student
    I have 3 questions .
    1. Is it possible to change your research proposal after awarded MEXT scholarship and arrived Japan ?
    2.I have beginner certificate of Japanese language .Do you think this additional asset ?
    3.English is my second language . doest it has influence on it ?
    4.Which University in japan offerers Master of public health ( MPH ) and which field of public health is important ?
    Thank you in advance

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown12 May 2019 at 10:58

    can you provide me idea on writing field of study in structural engineering. i have done b.e in civil

    ReplyDelete

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