Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for 2027(Research Students) - Embassy Recommendation
2026/4/22
The Embassy of Japan in the Lao PDR is now accepting applications from Lao nationals for the Japanese Government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: MEXT) Scholarship for the 2027 academic year. This scholarship is offered to individuals who wish to pursue studies in Japan as research students (regular or non-regular).
“Research students” are defined as individuals who enroll in a master’s or doctoral program at a graduate school, or in a program at a professional graduate school. This category also includes those conducting research in a specialized field at an undergraduate faculty, graduate school, or a university-affiliated research institute with the aim of completing the course, as well as those who receive preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects prior to placement at a university.
The Embassy of Japan will conduct the first round of selection, which consists of screening application documents, written examinations, and interviews. Applicants who pass the first round will be required to contact the Japanese university they wish to attend and request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance. The MEXT will then conduct the second round of selection.
Prospective applicants are requested to carefully review the Application Guidelines available on the Study in Japan website to confirm their eligibility and application requirements. Applicants should then prepare all required documents and submit them to the Embassy of Japan by the designated deadline.
“Research students” are defined as individuals who enroll in a master’s or doctoral program at a graduate school, or in a program at a professional graduate school. This category also includes those conducting research in a specialized field at an undergraduate faculty, graduate school, or a university-affiliated research institute with the aim of completing the course, as well as those who receive preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects prior to placement at a university.
The Embassy of Japan will conduct the first round of selection, which consists of screening application documents, written examinations, and interviews. Applicants who pass the first round will be required to contact the Japanese university they wish to attend and request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance. The MEXT will then conduct the second round of selection.
Prospective applicants are requested to carefully review the Application Guidelines available on the Study in Japan website to confirm their eligibility and application requirements. Applicants should then prepare all required documents and submit them to the Embassy of Japan by the designated deadline.
Application Documents
Applicants are required to submit one each of the following documents to the Embassy of Japan by 16:00 on May 26, 2026.
Please note that all submitted documents will not be returned.
※ Format （1）～（3） and （7） are downloadable from the link provided.
※ Copies of the academic transcript and graduation certificate are acceptable provided that the copies are certified 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 application documents must be placed in an envelope with the applicant’s name and telephone number clearly written on it.
※ Applications may be submitted to the Embassy either in person or by courier service (only delivery services that deliver documents directly to the Embassy of Japan are accepted).
※ If applications are left with the Embassy’s gate guard, applicants will be required to sign a record book.
Please note that all submitted documents will not be returned.
| Documents: | Remarks: | |
| （1） | Application Form | Use the 2027 Form |
| （2） | Placement Preference Application Form | Use the 2027 Form |
| （3） | Field of Study and Research Plan | Use the 2027 Form |
| （4） | Academic transcript for all academic years 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 2027 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) | Only 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 provided.
※ Copies of the academic transcript and graduation certificate are acceptable provided that the copies are certified 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 application documents must be placed in an envelope with the applicant’s name and telephone number clearly written on it.
※ Applications may be submitted to the Embassy either in person or by courier service (only delivery services that deliver documents directly to the Embassy of Japan are accepted).
※ If applications are left with the Embassy’s gate guard, applicants will be required to sign a record book.
Writing Examination
The written examination will be held at the Embassy of Japan on June 10 or 11, 2026.
The examination will consist of Japanese and English subjects, and all applicants are required to take both.
Applicants who pass the written examination will proceed to the interview, which will be conducted on June 18, 2026.
※ The schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced at least two weeks in advance.
※ Sample examination questions are available for viewing.
The examination will consist of Japanese and English subjects, and all applicants are required to take both.
Applicants who pass the written examination will proceed to the interview, which will be conducted on June 18, 2026.
※ The schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced at least two weeks in advance.
※ Sample examination questions are available for viewing.
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