The Institute of Science Tokyo, formerly the Tokyo Institute of Technology, is accepting applications for fully funded Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarships for master's and doctoral study in science and engineering, starting in Fall 2027. Applicants must secure a supervisor's consent by 15 November 2026, so act now.
The Main Building on the Ookayama campus, Tokyo (file photo). Photo: 03 at Japanese Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The scholarships are offered through the university's International Graduate Program (A), known as IGP(A), under MEXT's "University Recommendation" scheme. The university nominates candidates, and MEXT makes the final decision. Programmes are taught in English.
Sierra Leone appears on MEXT's list of specified priority countries. Under the scheme, at least 75% of the students the university nominates must come from these countries.
- University: Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan (formed in 2024 by merging Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University)
- Scholarship: Japanese Government (MEXT) University Recommendation, through IGP(A)
- Level: Master's, with possible extension to a PhD
- Start: Fall 2027 (late September)
- Stipend: ¥147,000 a month (master's) and ¥148,000 a month (doctoral)
- Places: about 8 per eligible programme
- Age limit: 34 or younger on 1 April 2027
- Supervisor consent deadline: 15 November 2026, 23:59 Japan time
- Application deadline: 22 November 2026, 23:59 Japan time (2:59 p.m. in Freetown)
What the scholarship covers
- A monthly stipend of ¥147,000 during master's study and ¥148,000 during doctoral study
- Full waiver of tuition and enrolment fees
- A round-trip air ticket to and from Japan, under MEXT's conditions
- A refund of the application fee for selected MEXT scholars after they enrol
Accommodation is not provided free; students pay rent from their monthly stipend. The scholarship first covers two years of master's study. Continuing to a PhD on the scholarship needs an approved extension and a strong master's record.
Programmes with MEXT places for Fall 2027
- Interdisciplinary Program for Super-Smart Society (School of Engineering): 8 places
- Global Leaders for Sustainable Bio-Economy (School of Life Science and Technology): 8 places
- Environmental Designers Contributing to Resilient Cities (School of Environment and Society): 8 places, integrated master's and doctoral track only
- Global Leaders for Materials with Innovative Functions (School of Materials and Chemical Technology): 8 places only if MEXT approves them after the deadline; otherwise none
The quantum technology programme (PSIL) has no MEXT places this year. These allocations are dated 4 September 2026 and may change.
Who can apply
- Citizens of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan (Sierra Leone qualifies)
- A bachelor's degree after 16 years of education, or final-year students who will graduate before enrolment; holders of three-year degrees must contact Admissions first
- A grade average of at least 2.30 out of 3.00 on MEXT's conversion scale in your last degree
- Your planned research must match or relate to your previous studies
- Aged 34 or younger on 1 April 2027
- English at CEFR B2 level: an IELTS, TOEFL iBT or TOEIC score report, or a certificate that your last degree was taught in English
- You cannot apply for another MEXT scholarship or through another university for the same year
How to apply
- Find a supervisor now. Search the Science Tokyo researcher database, then email a professor in your field with a short, specific research proposal and your CV.
- Get the signed consent letter from the supervisor and send it to Science Tokyo Admissions by 15 November. You usually receive access to the application system about a week later.
- Prepare your documents: ID photo, passport, transcripts, degree certificate, research outline and English proof. Translated documents must be certified by your university or a public body.
- Ask your dean (or equivalent) for a recommendation letter addressed to the President of Institute of Science Tokyo.
- Pay the ¥30,000 application fee online and name a recommender, who must submit an evaluation by the deadline.
- Submit the admission application and the separate MEXT scholarship form by 22 November 2026, 23:59 Japan time.
Admission results are expected on 3 March 2027, and MEXT's final decision around July to August 2027.
Faddabah Newsroom tips
- The real deadline is 15 November. Many posts only mention 22 November. Without a supervisor's consent letter, you cannot apply.
- Write to professors whose work matches yours. A short, specific email about their research gets far better replies than a general request.
- Graduates of English-taught universities can submit a medium-of-instruction certificate instead of IELTS or TOEFL.
- Applying is done online through the university. Use only the official Science Tokyo admissions pages. Nobody can sell you a MEXT scholarship.
Sources
- Institute of Science Tokyo: Allocation of MEXT scholarships for IGP(A), Fall 2027 (official PDF)
- MEXT: Countries specified for University Recommendation scholarships (2025 list)
- DAAD Scholarship: Science Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027, full application process
- Open Opportunities: Institute of Science Tokyo 2027 MEXT Scholarship (IGP(A))
- After School Africa: Institute of Science Tokyo 2027 MEXT Scholarship
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