Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for 2026 (RESEARCH STUDENTS)
2025/4/18
The Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR is accepting applications for the 2026 academic year Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship for Lao nationals who are keen to study in Japan as research students (regular or non-regular students).
“Research students” are those enrolled in a master’s or a doctoral course at a graduate school, or a course at a professional graduate school, or those who are conducting research in a specialized field at an undergraduate course, graduate school or institute attached to a university with the aim of completing the course, or those who are receiving preparatory education in Japanese language and other subjects prior to placement at the university, etc.
The Embassy of Japan will conduct the first round of selection by examining the submitted application documents, written examinations and interviews. Those who pass the first selection will contact the Japanese university they wish to enter and request acceptance. The MEXT will then conduct the second round of selection.
Those interested in this program should first read the Application Guidelines on the “Study in Japan” website carefully to check eligibility and conditions. Then prepare the application documents and submit them to the Embassy of Japan by the deadline.
“Research students” are those enrolled in a master’s or a doctoral course at a graduate school, or a course at a professional graduate school, or those who are conducting research in a specialized field at an undergraduate course, graduate school or institute attached to a university with the aim of completing the course, or those who are receiving preparatory education in Japanese language and other subjects prior to placement at the university, etc.
The Embassy of Japan will conduct the first round of selection by examining the submitted application documents, written examinations and interviews. Those who pass the first selection will contact the Japanese university they wish to enter and request acceptance. The MEXT will then conduct the second round of selection.
Those interested in this program should first read the Application Guidelines on the “Study in Japan” website carefully to check eligibility and conditions. Then prepare the application documents and submit them to the Embassy of Japan by the deadline.
Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents (one each) to the Embassy of Japan by 16:00 on May 23, 2025.
Submitted documents will not be returned.
※ Format （1）～（3） and （7） are downloadable from the link.
※ A copy of the academic transcript and the graduation certificate are acceptable if the copy is stamped with the official seal of the university or the Lao government (Ministry of Education and Sports). ກໍລະນີນຳໃຊ້ໃບຄະແນນ ແລະ ໃບປະກາດສະບັບກັອບປີ (ສຳເນົາ), ໃຫ້ຈ້ຳກາແດງຢັ້ງຢືນຈາກມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ຫຼື ລັດຖະບານລາວ (ກະຊວງສຶກສາທິການ ແລະກິລາ).
※ Documents should not be stapled. ຫ້າມໜີບກະລັບເຟີເອກະສານ.
Where to submit
Culture, Public Relations and Scholarship Section
Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR
Address: Sisangvone Road, Saysettha District, Vientiane Capital
Tel: 021-414400
※ All the documents should be put in an envelope with the applicant's name and telephone number written on it.
※ Applications should be sent to the Embassy either by hand or by courier service. If you leave them with the Embassy's gate guard, you will be asked to fill out a record book.
Submitted documents will not be returned.
| Documents: | Remarks: | |
| （1） | Application Form | Use the 2026 Form |
| （2） | Placement Preference Application Form | Use the 2026 Form |
| （3） | Field of Study and Research Plan | Use the 2026 Form |
| （4） | Academic transcript for all academic year of university attended | A transcript issued either by the university attended or by the Lao government. |
| （5） | Certification of graduation or degree certificate of the university attended | If the applicant has not yet graduated, submit a certificate of prospective graduation from the university. |
| （6） | Recommendation letter from the president/dean or the academic advisor at the current or last university attended | Free Format |
| （7） | (Medical Certificate) | Use the 2026 Form（It can be submitted after passing the first selection.） |
| （8） | Abstract of Theses | Submit if the applicant has written theses. |
| （9） | Copy of Certificate of Language Proficiency | In case the applicant has documents attesting to competency in Japanese or English. The date of issue of the certificates should be no earlier than two years from the date of application. |
| （10） | Recommendation Letter from the Present Employer | Submit if the applicant is currently employed. (Free format) |
| （11） | Photograph(s) showing applicant's own works of art or a digitally recorded media of musical performance | Submit if the applicant is to major in fine arts or music. |
※ Format （1）～（3） and （7） are downloadable from the link.
※ A copy of the academic transcript and the graduation certificate are acceptable if the copy is stamped with the official seal of the university or the Lao government (Ministry of Education and Sports). ກໍລະນີນຳໃຊ້ໃບຄະແນນ ແລະ ໃບປະກາດສະບັບກັອບປີ (ສຳເນົາ), ໃຫ້ຈ້ຳກາແດງຢັ້ງຢືນຈາກມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ ຫຼື ລັດຖະບານລາວ (ກະຊວງສຶກສາທິການ ແລະກິລາ).
※ Documents should not be stapled. ຫ້າມໜີບກະລັບເຟີເອກະສານ.
Where to submit
Culture, Public Relations and Scholarship Section
Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR
Address: Sisangvone Road, Saysettha District, Vientiane Capital
Tel: 021-414400
※ All the documents should be put in an envelope with the applicant's name and telephone number written on it.
※ Applications should be sent to the Embassy either by hand or by courier service. If you leave them with the Embassy's gate guard, you will be asked to fill out a record book.
Writing Examination
The written examination will be held at the Embassy on June 11, 2025.
The written examination will consist of Japanese and English subjects. All applicants must take both subjects.
Those who pass the written examination will take the interview on June 18 or 19, 2025.
※ The schedule is subject to change and will be announced at least two weeks in advance.
※ Sample Examination Questions are browsable.
The written examination will consist of Japanese and English subjects. All applicants must take both subjects.
Those who pass the written examination will take the interview on June 18 or 19, 2025.
※ The schedule is subject to change and will be announced at least two weeks in advance.
※ Sample Examination Questions are browsable.
Contact Information
Culture, Public Relations and Scholarship Section
Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR
Tel: 021-414400
Email: embassy@vt.mofa.go.jp
Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR
Tel: 021-414400
Email: embassy@vt.mofa.go.jp