How to Get the Japanese Government Scholarship (Monbukagakusho):Document Screening

The application process to the Research Student Scholarship under the Japanese Government has (roughly) six stages: Document screening, written exam, panel interview, securing a certificate of admission to the desired university, waiting for the tentative announcement of results, and the last stage - an even more stressful waiting time for the final results.

The Japanese Embassy provides a comprehensive list of all the documents required in the application process. Also downloadable from the website are all the forms that the applicants need to fill out. Please visit the website of your local Japanese Embassy for the complete details.

Here’s an overview of the documents that you need to submit to the embassy:

1.      Application form (Prescribed Form)

2.      Application Form (Attachment to the Prescribed Form)

3.      Research Program (Attachment)

4.      Passport Sized Photograph (4.5x3.5cm) taken within the last six months

5.      Academic Transcript

6.      Graduation Certificate or a certification that the applicant will graduate from the university

7.      Recommendation from a professor

8.      Recommendation from the present employer (if applicant is currently working)

9.      Medical Certificate

10.  Abstracts of Theses (or papers)

Important Points to Take Note of:

The documents to be submitted to the embassy should be written in either English or Japanese. If you filled out the forms using your native language, prepare a Japanese or English translation of these documents.

The photographs should be in the proper size required by the embassy. I think it is preferable if you use a white background instead of other colors like blue. Make sure that your face is clearly seen and your hair does not cover any part of your face like the forehead and the ears. If you have bangs, place it a little on the side.

If the embassy requires original copies, then you should submit, original copies, do not hassle yourself by duplicating it through scanning or whatever easier, faster alternative ways you can think of. I suggest, you request some extra copies of your original documents from your university because you might be needing them in the latter stage, wherein you need to apply directly to the universities in Japan. But if the embassy says, a photocopy or a certified copy is acceptable, then feel free to do so. If in doubt, better to call the embassy to double check.

Good luck!

The research program is one of the most important parts of your application packet because it will be studied and reviewed by many people in several stages of the application. It should be clear and concise. You don’t have to indulge in a lengthy explanation of your research topic and elaborate on your RRL, but at least, provide the panel the understanding that you know what you are talking about and you have a clear idea of what you want to pursue in Japan and how you intend to pursue it. A piece of advice, take this part seriously.

One important instruction that most of the applicants forget is the numbering. The embassy in my country requires the applicants to number their documents in order from 1 to 9 at the upper right corner of the paper according to the list they have provided in their checklist.

The way your documents are prepared reveals so much about your personality. If your application packet or your answers in the form look lousy, then these say something about you. Most of the people take this stage for granted because they are confident enough on their own credentials. Even if your credentials are impressive but if your documents are not complete or you missed to answer a question in the form, then you might have missed a chance of a lifetime. So before submitting your documents, review it over and over again and make sure that everything is clear, complete, intact and ready to fly to Japan! (Yes, these documents will actually be sent to Japan because it will be reviewed by MEXT!)

If you pass the document screening, the embassy will inform you by phone or email about the schedule of the written examination. Please see the complete post here How to Get the Japanese Government Scholarship (Monbukagakusho):Written Examination

Please see the other related posts:

How to Get the Japanese Government Scholarship (Monbukagakusho): An Overview

How to Get the Japanese Government Scholarship (Monbukagakusho): The Research Category