Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship for Graduate Studies at Yokohama National University 2026 | Fully Funded

Scholarships for International

Yokohama National University (YNU) in Japan offers the fully funded MEXT Scholarship to academically outstanding international students who wish to pursue their graduate studies in the fields of Civil Engineering and Urban Infrastructure Development.
The scholarship is offered under two special programs within the Graduate School of Urban Innovation and is awarded to exceptional students coming from countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan.
The program aims to prepare research professionals capable of contributing to the development of urban infrastructure in developing countries, through education and practical research in an international, multicultural environment, entirely in English.

Study Location

The programs are offered at the Graduate School of Urban Innovation, Yokohama National University (YNU), located in Kanagawa, Japan—one of the largest and most industrially and urbanly diverse metropolitan areas in the country.

Application Deadlines

Online application deadline: December 11, 2025.
Announcement of preliminary results: Early February 2026.
Final results after MEXT approval: Late July 2026.

Funding Details

The scholarship is funded by the Japanese government (MEXT) and includes:

Full tuition exemption.
Monthly stipend to cover living expenses.
Round-trip airfare to and from Japan.

Available Programs

1. “Civil and Development” Program

Full name: Special International Program for Urban Infrastructure Engineering in Developing Countries.

Program Description:

Focuses on outstanding students in civil engineering, particularly from developing countries, offering education and practical research on urban infrastructure engineering from a global perspective.
Aims to develop students’ skills to face the challenges of modern cities through a multicultural learning environment that brings together Japanese and international students.

Number of Scholarships:

5 scholarships for the PhD level
2 scholarships for the Master’s level

Program Highlights:

Practical education and research in urban community engineering.
Global learning environment with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Interdisciplinary education combining engineering with humanities and social sciences, such as international development studies

2. “Civil and ICT/IoT” Program

Full name: International Program for Civil Engineering Innovation through ICT and IoT.

Program Description:

Aims to prepare research professionals capable of using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the fields of civil engineering, environmental protection, and disaster prevention.

Number of Scholarships:

3 scholarships for the PhD level
1 scholarship for the Master’s level

Program Highlights:

Student training in innovation in infrastructure, environment, and disaster prevention.
Entirely taught in English.
Practical training opportunities inside and outside Japan.
Financial support for fieldwork participation.
Applied research using AI in infrastructure management, inspection, and maintenance.

Who Can Apply?

To apply for the scholarship, the applicant must:

Hold the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
Be born on or after April 2, 1991.
Be able to arrive in Japan before the beginning of Fall 2026.

You cannot apply if you:

Have previously received a MEXT Scholarship or are currently studying in Japan on another scholarship.

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Required Documents

All documents must be submitted in English through the university’s online application system and include:

Online application form via the YNU system.
Official academic transcripts:
- PhD applicants: Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts
- Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s transcripts only.
Academic Performance Entry Sheet.
Graduation certificate or a copy of the academic diploma.
Proof of English proficiency (one of the following):
- TOEFL or IELTS with a score equivalent to CEFR B2, including all four skills.
- OR a graduation certificate from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
Research Plan (maximum 5 pages, including a summary in the first third of the first page), outlining objectives, methodology, and academic background.
Recommenders’ information:
- Contact details of two professors or academic supervisors, using the official email address of the university or professional institution.

Application Steps

Complete the application form via the YNU Web Application System.
Upload all required documents in PDF or Word format.
Ensure recommender information is correctly entered.
Applications cannot be submitted via post, fax, or email.
No prior contact with professors or preliminary acceptance is required before applying.

Selection Process

Candidates are selected based on:

Previous academic achievements.
Quality and alignment of the submitted Research Plan with the program’s objectives.
Recommendation letters.
Ability to contribute to research development.

Selected candidates may be required to participate in an interview conducted online or via email during the evaluation stage.
Afterwards, the final list of candidates is submitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) for official approval of scholarship recipients.

Important Notes

Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
All programs are taught only in English.
The application is only for the October 2026 intake.
Any falsification or fraudulent information will result in immediate dismissal from the university.
Guidelines are subject to change according to MEXT updates.