Funding a PhD in Japan Beyond MEXT | My Way to Japan

My Way to Japan

Funding a PhD in Japan Beyond MEXT
Johannes Nicolaus Wibisana Updated in SEPTEMBER 2026

When most people think about funding a PhD in Japan as an international student, MEXT is usually the first thing that comes to mind. And for good reason: it has been the main gateway for international students for a long time. But the landscape has shifted in recent years, and it is worth knowing what else is out there.

One important change to be aware of: the University-to-University (U2U) route for MEXT — where the university recommends you directly, has been scaled back significantly. This probably means fewer guaranteed slots. If you are relying on this path, it is worth checking the current status with your host University.

The good news is that MEXT is not the only option, and some routes are actually more generous.

Fully funded universities

A handful of institutions in Japan offer fully funded PhD programs that do not require you to secure MEXT separately. OIST is the clearest example: students receive a monthly stipend, housing support, and health insurance coverage, and there is no tuition fee. Some other universities, may also have partially or fully funded internal scholarships. The structure varies by program, so it is worth looking into the specific institute you would be joining. However, there are also other fellowships that could be worth checking below.

JSPS DC Fellowships

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) runs a fellowship program for PhD students called DC1 and DC2. DC1 is a three-year fellowship for students entering a doctoral program, and DC2 is a two-year fellowship for those already enrolled. Both are open to international students in Japanese universities, though a lot of the information and the application system is only in Japanese, which can be a barrier. The benefits are genuinely good: a monthly stipend of 200,000 yen plus a research grant of up to 1.5 million yen per year to use on experiments, conference travel, and other research costs. One thing to know: you generally need to apply before enrolling in the PhD program, so if you are coming from a master's at the same lab, you are in a better position to apply. If you win JSPS DC, you also need to give up MEXT if you have it, since you cannot hold both.

JST SPRING

The Japan Science and Technology Agency runs a program called SPRING (Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation), which is available at around 60 participating universities. It provides research expenses and is open to both Japanese and international students. Availability depends on which university you attend and what program you are in, so check early whether your institution is a SPRING participant.

Private foundations

Beyond government programs, there are several private foundations that offer scholarships to international PhD students in Japan. The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation is one of the larger ones, offering 140,000 yen per month to graduate students. It does require some Japanese ability (interviews are conducted in Japanese) and expects you to attend Rotary club meetings regularly, so it comes with more engagement than a typical scholarship. Other options worth exploring include the Honjo Scholarship Foundation, the Heiwa Nakajima Foundation, and various university-internal scholarships that are sometimes only announced through noticeboards or department emails. So, it pays to ask your lab coordinator or international student office about what is available.

The honest takeaway is that MEXT is no longer the only or necessarily the easiest path, and with targeted research you can put together a reasonable picture of what funding might look like before you even apply.