The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has unveiled scholarship opportunities for Afghan students for the 2027 academic year. These scholarships are part of the Japanese Government’s MEXT Scholarship Program, focusing on graduate-level studies at universities across Japan. This initiative is aimed at fostering educational development for Afghan students.
MEXT Scholarship Program Details
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is offering scholarships under the research student category. This includes both regular and non-regular students.
Eligibility and Application Process
- Applicants must download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website.
- It is crucial that candidates review all requirements thoroughly before applying.
- Complete applications must be submitted by May 25, 2026.
The embassy has stressed that late or incomplete submissions will be rejected. The first screening will consist of a written examination on June 18, 2026, in Kabul. Following this, interviews will take place in July 2026, with the exact date to be confirmed.
Application Assistance and Selection Process
The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will aid in the application collection and assist with the examinations. However, it will not participate in the selection process of candidates.
The selection will be carried out independently by the embassy and the Japanese government. This process will be based on:
- Academic merit
- Quality of application documents
- Performance in written and interview examinations
The embassy underscores that the selection process will be free of religious, linguistic, or ethnic considerations.
Funding and Caution Against Scams
The MEXT scholarship program is fully funded, with no fees required. The embassy alerts potential applicants to be wary of scams, emphasizing that no financial contributions are needed at any stage of the application process.
