JASSO scholarship for a master's or doctoral degree abroad

Why it fits you

Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Country of study

At the institution of your choice (no set country)

Accepted nationalities

Japan

Target level

Master’s and Doctorate

Fields of study

All fields

Other conditions

• On 1 April 2027 you must be under 35 years old if you are aiming for a master's degree and under 40 years old if you are aiming for a doctorate.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: （４）2027年４月１日現在の年齢が次のとおりである者 ① 「修士」の学位取得を目的とする者： 35歳未満 ② 「博士」の学位取得を目的とする者： 40歳未満
• At the start of the support period, you must not be employed by a university, a company, etc.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: （13）支援期間開始時に、大学、企業等に雇用されていない者
• You must be able to obtain the visa needed for your studies abroad yourself.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: （12）留学に必要な査証を自身で得ることができる者
• In principle you apply through a Japanese university (the one where you are enrolled or from which you graduated); an individual application is possible only if you cannot apply through such a university.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: 応募は原則、日本国内の大学（在籍又は卒業大学）を通じて行います（「大学取りまとめ応募」）。

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Paid

Plane ticket

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

1. 1
   Step 1: Submit the application documents through the degree application system (学位応募システム)To do at the same time as: step 2

   With whom

   You

   Documents to provide

   • Passport photo (JPEG)
   • Form 1 (application form)
   • Host university information, first and second choice (Forms 2-1 and 2-2)
   • Supporting documents for the host university information (attachment to Forms 2-1 and 2-2)
   • Form 3 (achievements)
   • Form 4 (research plan and career plan after completion)
   • Form 5 (contribution to Japanese society)
   • Excerpt of a representative paper
   • Passport (or residence card, both sides)
   • Language proficiency test certificate (with a CEFR comparison table if the test is not listed in Appendix 3)
   • Graduation/completion certificate(s) for every course since the bachelor's level (or a certificate of expected completion)
   • Official academic transcript(s) for every course since the bachelor's level
   • Grading system corresponding to the transcripts

2. 2
   Step 2: Have two recommendation letters submitted through the recommendation formTo do at the same time as: step 1

   With whom

   Two recommenders (university teachers such as your supervisor, or workplace superiors) whom you must ask and give your ID and the form URL

   Documents to provide

   • Two recommendation letters submitted directly by the recommenders through the recommendation form (in Japanese or English)

3. 3
   Step 3: First screening (document review) of the application documents

   With whom

   JASSO

4. 4
   Step 4: Second screening (online interview), on one of the days 23 to 25 January 2027

   With whom

   Applicants who passed the first screening (document review)

Where to apply