JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2026 (Japanese Studies Students and Teacher Training Students)
2026/1/6
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study at universities in Japan as Japanese Studies Students and Teacher Training Students, in the framework of the Scholarship Program for 2026, as outlined below.
1. Details for each program
[Japanese Studies Students (NIKKENSEI)]
This program is aimed at deepening understanding of the Japanese language, affairs and culture.
Scholarship Period: Up to one year starting October 2026 (or the month the course begins)
Allowance: 117,000 yen/month
Host Institution: Japanese University designated by MEXT
Eligibility Requirements: Please check the following link.
Examination: Written test (Japanese), Interview
For details regarding the application guidelines and necessary documents, please check the link below.
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-japanese.html
[Teacher Training Students (KYOKENSEI)]
This program is for teachers employed at primary and secondary educational institutions in foreign countries, as well as teachers employed at teacher-training institutions (excluding universities), who conduct research related to school education.
Scholarship Period: October 2026 (or the month the course begins) to March 2028.
Allowance: 143,000 yen/month
Host Institution: Japanese University designated by MEXT
Eligibility Requirements: Please check the following link.
Examination: Written test (Japanese, English), Interview
For details regarding the application guidelines and necessary documents, please check the link below.
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-teacher.html
This program is aimed at deepening understanding of the Japanese language, affairs and culture.
Scholarship Period: Up to one year starting October 2026 (or the month the course begins)
Allowance: 117,000 yen/month
Host Institution: Japanese University designated by MEXT
Eligibility Requirements: Please check the following link.
Examination: Written test (Japanese), Interview
For details regarding the application guidelines and necessary documents, please check the link below.
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-japanese.html
[Teacher Training Students (KYOKENSEI)]
This program is for teachers employed at primary and secondary educational institutions in foreign countries, as well as teachers employed at teacher-training institutions (excluding universities), who conduct research related to school education.
Scholarship Period: October 2026 (or the month the course begins) to March 2028.
Allowance: 143,000 yen/month
Host Institution: Japanese University designated by MEXT
Eligibility Requirements: Please check the following link.
Examination: Written test (Japanese, English), Interview
For details regarding the application guidelines and necessary documents, please check the link below.
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-teacher.html
2. Application
1. Application Deadline: 6 February 2026 (Friday), 17:00 .
2. Submit to: Embassy of Japan in Georgia
※In case an applicant cannot submit their documents to the Embassy by the deadline (e.g. Applicant lives in a remote area), please contact the Embassy.
3. Required Documents:
Please prepare the following required documents according to “4. Submission Procedure.” All documents must be prepared in Japanese or English.
[Japanese Studies Students]
“No.” corresponds to the application document number listed in the application guidelines.
★Documents No. 4 and 8 to be submitted only if applicable.
★Be sure to write the application document number in the upper right corner of all documents.
★For documents No. 3, 4, and 5, if you cannot submit the original, submit a notarized copy.
[Teacher Training Students]
“No.” corresponds to the application document number listed in the application guidelines.
★Document No. 8 to be submitted only if applicable.
★Be sure to write the application document number in the upper right corner of all documents.
★For documents No. 3 and 4, if you cannot submit the original, submit a notarized copy.
4. Submission Procedure
(1) Place the documents listed in “3. Required Documents” into an envelope.
(2) Clearly write your name and either “NIKKENSEI” or “KYOKENSEI” on the front of the envelope.
(3) Submit the envelope in person to the Embassy of Japan (64b Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, Tbilisi 0162, 9th floor) during the designated submission period. When submitting, state: “I am submitting application documents for NIKKENSEI/KYOKENSEI Program”
2. Submit to: Embassy of Japan in Georgia
※In case an applicant cannot submit their documents to the Embassy by the deadline (e.g. Applicant lives in a remote area), please contact the Embassy.
3. Required Documents:
Please prepare the following required documents according to “4. Submission Procedure.” All documents must be prepared in Japanese or English.
[Japanese Studies Students]
“No.” corresponds to the application document number listed in the application guidelines.
| No. | Documents | No. of Copies |
| 1 | Application form for FY2026 | 1 |
| 2 | Placement Preference Application Form for FY 2026 (Select the university from the list provided on JASSO’s homepage) |
1 |
| 3 | Certified academic transcript from the university the applicant is currently attending (From the year of enrollment to the current academic year. Ensure that the academic year is clearly indicated along with the credits earned.) |
1 |
| 4 | Document(s) verifying that the applicant has studied the Japanese language and culture for at least one year. | 1 |
| 5 | Certificate of enrollment. | 1 |
| 6 | Recommendation letter from the head of or academic advisor at the university the applicant is currently attending. | 1 |
| 7 | Medical certificate (use the form provided in the Application Forms) | 1 |
| 8 | Copy of the Certificate of Japanese language ability (The date of issue of the certificate should be no earlier than two years from the date of application to the program) | 1 |
| Copy of National ID Card (for identity verification) | 1 | |
| ID Photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm, taken within the past 6 months, full-face view, no headwear, name written on the back) (One to be attached to the application form) | 2 |
★Be sure to write the application document number in the upper right corner of all documents.
★For documents No. 3, 4, and 5, if you cannot submit the original, submit a notarized copy.
[Teacher Training Students]
“No.” corresponds to the application document number listed in the application guidelines.
| No. | Documents | No. of Copies |
| 1 | Application form for FY2026 | 1 |
| 2 | Placement Preference Application Form for FY 2026 (Select the university from the list provided on JASSO’s homepage) |
1 |
| 3 | Certified grade transcript for each academic year from the last university/ teacher training school attended | 1 |
| 4 | The diploma from the last university/ teacher training school attended | 1 |
| 5 | Certificate of employment (Proof of having worked as an employee for five years) | 1 |
| 6 | Recommendation letter from the immediate supervisor at work | 1 |
| 7 | Medical certificate (use the form provided in the Application Forms) | 1 |
| 8 | Copy of the Certificate of Japanese language ability (The date of issue of the certificate should be no earlier than two years from the date of application to the program) | 1 |
| Copy of National ID Card (for identity verification) | 1 | |
| ID Photo (3.5cm x 4.5cm, taken within the past 6 months, full-face view, no headwear, name written on the back) (One to be attached to the application form) | 2 |
★Document No. 8 to be submitted only if applicable.
★Be sure to write the application document number in the upper right corner of all documents.
★For documents No. 3 and 4, if you cannot submit the original, submit a notarized copy.
4. Submission Procedure
(1) Place the documents listed in “3. Required Documents” into an envelope.
(2) Clearly write your name and either “NIKKENSEI” or “KYOKENSEI” on the front of the envelope.
(3) Submit the envelope in person to the Embassy of Japan (64b Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, Tbilisi 0162, 9th floor) during the designated submission period. When submitting, state: “I am submitting application documents for NIKKENSEI/KYOKENSEI Program”
3. Screening Schedule
(1) First Screening
Evaluation of documents by the Embassy of Japan in Georgia, written examination and interview.
February 6 (Fri.) Application Deadline
February 17 (Tue.) Written Examination (At the Embassy of Japan in Georgia)
February 20 (Fri.) Interview (In person)
(2) Second Screening
Applicants who have passed the First Screening will be recommended to MEXT. MEXT will conduct the Second Screening.
July to mid-August – Announcement of results (decision on the university placement)
September-October – Arrival date to Japan
For inquiries, please contact:
Embassy of Japan in Georgia
Email: culture@tb.mofa.go.jp
Telephone: +995-32-2752111
Evaluation of documents by the Embassy of Japan in Georgia, written examination and interview.
February 6 (Fri.) Application Deadline
February 17 (Tue.) Written Examination (At the Embassy of Japan in Georgia)
February 20 (Fri.) Interview (In person)
(2) Second Screening
Applicants who have passed the First Screening will be recommended to MEXT. MEXT will conduct the Second Screening.
July to mid-August – Announcement of results (decision on the university placement)
September-October – Arrival date to Japan
For inquiries, please contact:
Embassy of Japan in Georgia
Email: culture@tb.mofa.go.jp
Telephone: +995-32-2752111