MEXT Scholarship: Research Students (starting from 2027) for Maltese Citizens - Application Deadline: Sunday, 24th May 2026, 5:00p.m. (CEST)
2026/4/22
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) will be offering a scholarship program for Research students to Maltese and Gozitan citizens (must be graduated before the departure for Japan; also, must be born on/after 2nd April 1992), starting from April or September/October 2027.
- Regarding the question 7 (3) of the "Research Application" form - "Name of Japanese diplomatic office where you will apply for visa issuance" - please write "Embassy of Japan in Italy", as our Embassy is currently not issuing visas.
- Regarding the "Recommendation Letter" ((6) and (10)), referees may send the letters directly to the Embassy by email. Please ensure you keep the original signed copy with you, as you will be requested to submit them if you proceed to the written examination and interview stage.
Prepare the documents as listed under the item 9 "Application Documents" in the Application Guidelines (Application Form, and other forms can be downloaded from the above link), and send them via e-mail by Sunday, 24th May 2026, 5:00p.m. (CEST) to culture@ve.mofa.go.jp.
The subject title of the e-mail should be named as “Application Research Students 2027”, using the same e-mail address provided in the “Application Form” (and which will be used during the whole selection procedure). The original documents are to be provided on the day of the written exam and interview.
Please note that the size of the e-mail with the attached documentation should not exceed 10 MB! Otherwise, consider reducing the quality of scan, or scanning only in black and white, or sending more than one e-mail (in this case, please in the title of the e-mail add “ 1 of 3”, “2 of 3” etc.).
*Japanese language proficiency is not a pre-requisite in the scholarship selection process for most categories. However, all candidates should be motivated to learn Japanese.
Previous examination questions for applicants are available for download at the following ink:
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarship/application/examination.html
Applicants must ensure to contact the Japanese Universities of their preference to request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance by Tuesday, 1st September 2026 (JST) (please, read carefully the “Application Guidelines”, p. 8). The Letters of Acceptance you receive from Japanese universities will need to be submitted to the Embassy of Japan in Malta.
- All submitted documents will be retained and will not be returned.
- Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- The format (i.e., location and date) of the written exam and interview (to be scheduled in the beginning of July 2026) will be the same for all candidates and no exceptions (such as online format) can be made.
- Please note that the final result depends on confirmation of your university placement, not on the Embassy’s shortlisting process.
- Non-Maltese citizens must contact the Embassy of Japan of the country in which you hold citizenship for information on how to apply.
- STUDY in Japan
An official portal providing comprehensive information on studying in Japan, including scholarships, universities, and student life.
- researchmap
A database platform that allows researchers in Japan to share their profiles, publications, and academic achievements.
- Japan Study Support
A website offering practical information for international students on Japanese universities, programs etc.
- Japanese College and University Portraits
A resource providing detailed data and profiles of Japanese higher education institutions.
- J-GLOBAL
An online service that connects information on researchers, research projects, and scientific literature in Japan.
For any inquiries relating to the MEXT scholarship, please contact the Cultural Section of the Embassy of Japan in Malta:
tel. +356-2732-4491
e-mail: culture@ve.mofa.go.jp
1) APPLICATION PROCEDURE
For information about qualifications and conditions, the terms of the scholarship and other details, kindly refer to the “Application Guidelines” at the following link:https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-research.html- Regarding the question 7 (3) of the "Research Application" form - "Name of Japanese diplomatic office where you will apply for visa issuance" - please write "Embassy of Japan in Italy", as our Embassy is currently not issuing visas.
- Regarding the "Recommendation Letter" ((6) and (10)), referees may send the letters directly to the Embassy by email. Please ensure you keep the original signed copy with you, as you will be requested to submit them if you proceed to the written examination and interview stage.
Prepare the documents as listed under the item 9 "Application Documents" in the Application Guidelines (Application Form, and other forms can be downloaded from the above link), and send them via e-mail by Sunday, 24th May 2026, 5:00p.m. (CEST) to culture@ve.mofa.go.jp.
The subject title of the e-mail should be named as “Application Research Students 2027”, using the same e-mail address provided in the “Application Form” (and which will be used during the whole selection procedure). The original documents are to be provided on the day of the written exam and interview.
Please note that the size of the e-mail with the attached documentation should not exceed 10 MB! Otherwise, consider reducing the quality of scan, or scanning only in black and white, or sending more than one e-mail (in this case, please in the title of the e-mail add “ 1 of 3”, “2 of 3” etc.).
2) FIRST SCREENING
The Embassy will select preliminary candidates by reviewing of the submitted documents. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the details of the written examination (English and Japanese proficiency exams*) and interview via e-mail by Tuesday, 9th June 2026. The exam and interview are to be scheduled in the beginning of July 2026.*Japanese language proficiency is not a pre-requisite in the scholarship selection process for most categories. However, all candidates should be motivated to learn Japanese.
Previous examination questions for applicants are available for download at the following ink:
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarship/application/examination.html
3) REQUEST OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE BY JAPANESE UNIVERSITY
Applicants who have passed the First Screening will receive a notification via e-mail, along with a “Passing Certificate of the First Screening” and a copy of the documents submitted by the applicants verified by the Embassy. These documents are necessary to contact the Japanese Universities.Applicants must ensure to contact the Japanese Universities of their preference to request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance by Tuesday, 1st September 2026 (JST) (please, read carefully the “Application Guidelines”, p. 8). The Letters of Acceptance you receive from Japanese universities will need to be submitted to the Embassy of Japan in Malta.
4) SECOND SCREENING AND UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT
From November 2026, the MEXT selection committee will carry on the Second Screening to select the applicants as MEXT Scholarship Students. Between January and March 2027, the Embassy will inform the applicants of the results of selection and will inform them of the University placement.5) PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE
Scholarship grantees will be informed of the flight details and date of arrival to Japan via e-mail. The departure for Japan should be in April 2027 or September/October 2027, at a date decided by the Japanese University.■Timetable for the MEXT Scholarship 2027
| Application Deadline | Sunday, 24th May 2026, 5:00p.m. (CEST) |
| Notification of Result of Document Screening by the Embassy | by Tuesday, 9th June 2026. |
| First Screening (Written Examination and Interview) | the beginning of July 2026 |
| Notification of Result of First Screening (Written Examination and Interview) by the Embassy | In July 2026 |
| Deadline for Contacting Japanese Universities for Requesting for a Provisional Acceptance Letter. | by Tuesday, 1st September 2026 (JST) |
| Secondary Screening in Tokyo | November 2026 onwards |
| FINAL RESULTS with placement by Tokyo | Between January and March 2027 |
| Departure for Japan | April or September/October 2027 |
■Important Points to Consider
- Please do not make use of the forms for the previous year.- All submitted documents will be retained and will not be returned.
- Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- The format (i.e., location and date) of the written exam and interview (to be scheduled in the beginning of July 2026) will be the same for all candidates and no exceptions (such as online format) can be made.
- Please note that the final result depends on confirmation of your university placement, not on the Embassy’s shortlisting process.
- Non-Maltese citizens must contact the Embassy of Japan of the country in which you hold citizenship for information on how to apply.
■Useful Websites for University and Researcher Search
Please find below a selection of useful links to explore suitable universities in Japan:- STUDY in Japan
An official portal providing comprehensive information on studying in Japan, including scholarships, universities, and student life.
- researchmap
A database platform that allows researchers in Japan to share their profiles, publications, and academic achievements.
- Japan Study Support
A website offering practical information for international students on Japanese universities, programs etc.
- Japanese College and University Portraits
A resource providing detailed data and profiles of Japanese higher education institutions.
- J-GLOBAL
An online service that connects information on researchers, research projects, and scientific literature in Japan.
For any inquiries relating to the MEXT scholarship, please contact the Cultural Section of the Embassy of Japan in Malta:
tel. +356-2732-4491
e-mail: culture@ve.mofa.go.jp