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Japanese Government (MEXT) Research Scholarship, Embassy recommendation

Government of Japan (MEXT), through the Embassy of Japan in Somalia

Where you study
Japan · Japanese graduate schools
Study level
  • Master's
  • PhD
Expected to open April 2027

The embassy opens recruitment in April each year and closes in May; the exact 2027 dates will be announced on the embassy page.

Based on the usual yearly schedule. The official dates for the next round are not announced yet; check the official page.

Apply on the official websiteView official scholarship
Somali applicants: Eligible

Why: This is the embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship for Somalia: the official page says it is open to students from Somalia and applicants must be Somali citizens.

Somali citizens interested in a master's or doctoral course at a Japanese graduate school, born on or after 2 April 1990 (2025 rule; the cut-off moves each year), holding an undergraduate degree (minimum second class upper division) or a master's degree.

In short

The Government of Japan (MEXT) offers this fully funded scholarship for Master's or PhD research at Japanese graduate schools. Somali citizens are eligible to apply.

How competitive

Competitive

A handful of places for Somalia each year, with a clear process for those who meet the criteria.

English requirement

English test or alternative proof accepted

Fields of study

Any research field offered by Japanese graduate schools

What it covers

MEXT pays tuition, a monthly living allowance and flights to and from Japan. The scholarship lasts 18 months or two years, including six months of Japanese language study.

  • Tuition feesIncluded
  • Living allowanceIncluded
  • TravelIncluded
  • Health insuranceNot stated
  • Visa costsNot stated
  • AccommodationNot stated
  • FamilyNot stated

MEXT pays tuition, a monthly allowance and the flight to and from Japan; the term is 18 months or two years, including six months of Japanese language study. Amounts are in the official MEXT guidelines.

Only what the official source states. "Not stated" means we could not confirm it, not that it is excluded.

Who can apply

It is for Somali citizens seeking a Master's or doctoral course at a Japanese graduate school. Applicants need an undergraduate degree with at least second class upper division, or a master's degree, and must meet the intake's age rule.

  • You must be a Somali citizen.
  • You must seek a Master's or doctoral course at a Japanese graduate school.
  • You need an undergraduate degree with at least second class upper division, or a master's degree.
  • For the 2025 rule, you must have been born on or after 2 April 1990; the cut-off changes each cycle.
  • Your research field must be offered by a Japanese graduate school.
Academic requirement
An undergraduate degree with at least a second class upper division, or a master's degree.
Age
Born on or after 2 April 1990 for the 2025 intake; the cut-off moves one year each cycle.
Selection
Document screening, written tests and an interview at the embassy; then placement at a Japanese university.

English requirement

English test or alternative proof accepted

You do not need IELTS or TOEFL to apply. The embassy holds its own English and Japanese tests as part of screening; alternative proof of English is also accepted.

No IELTS or TOEFL is needed to apply; the embassy holds its own English (and Japanese) language tests as part of the screening.

Never assume IELTS is needed. Only the official page and the university you apply to decide.

Documents you will need

  • Application form
  • Academic transcripts
  • Degree certificate
  • Recommendation (reference) letters
  • Research proposal
  • Medical certificate
  • Passport photo
  • Passport (or national ID)
  • Other documents (see the official page)

The MEXT application form, your field of study and research plan, certified transcripts and degree certificates, recommendation letter(s), a medical certificate, photos and a passport copy, submitted through Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Embassy of Japan.

How to apply

  1. 1Check the Embassy of Japan in Somalia page for the 2027 application dates and official instructions.
  2. 2Confirm that you meet the Somali citizenship, degree and age rules for the 2028 intake.
  3. 3Choose a research field offered by a Japanese graduate school and prepare your research plan.
  4. 4Prepare the application form, transcripts, degree certificates and recommendation letters.
  5. 5Also prepare your medical certificate, passport photo, passport copy and any other required documents.
  6. 6Submit your documents through Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Embassy of Japan.
  7. 7Take the embassy's written tests and attend an interview if selected for those stages.

Prepare well

  • Start early, since you need to prepare several academic and personal documents.
  • Ask your referees for recommendation letters well before the deadline.
  • Make your research plan clear and connect it to a field offered by a Japanese graduate school.
  • Check the embassy page for the latest age cut-off and exact dates; both can change by cycle.
Apply on the official website

Important notes

  • The exact 2027 dates will be announced on the embassy page; deadlines can vary by university or course.
  • The current cycle is for the 2028 intake; recruitment usually opens in April and closes in May.
  • Applications go through Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Embassy of Japan.
  • Selection includes document screening, written tests and an embassy interview, followed by university placement.

Official source

ZitTalent explains; the official website decides. Always check the official page before you apply, and apply only there.

ke.emb-japan.go.jp

Official page last checked 28 October 2026

The explanation was written by AI from the verified facts and the official page, then checked by fixed rules: any amount, date, score or document the source does not state is removed.

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