By Kelvin Kibet | Last updated: 28 September 2026
Status: The embassy window that Kenyan media called the “2027 MEXT” round (applications from 20 April to 19 May 2026) has closed. The embassy says the next round, which it labels the 2028 scholarship, is expected to open in April 2027. Do not wait until April to prepare.
The MEXT scholarship is funded by the Japanese government. In Kenya, applicants apply through the Embassy of Japan, Japan Information and Culture Centre, Mara Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi. Some categories can also be reached through other routes, such as Japanese universities. This article covers the embassy route.
Note on labels
Names for MEXT rounds vary. The embassy labels each round by the year it processes, while the study year starts later. Always read the embassy notice for the exact intake and start date.
Categories
- Undergraduate students: For recent KCSE leavers.
- College of Technology and Specialised Training College: For technical and vocational study.
- Research students: For graduates who want Master’s or PhD study.
What the scholarship covers
MEXT covers tuition, airfare, and a monthly allowance. Recent embassy and partner guidance put allowances in the low hundreds of thousands of yen per month, with research students receiving more than undergraduates. Amounts change, so confirm with the embassy.
Undergraduate requirements (2026 round, for reference)
- Kenyan citizen.
- Born on or after 2 April 2002, and 18 or older when admitted to a Japanese university.
- KCSE mean grade A (plain), with A (plain) in at least four subjects, including Mathematics.
- At least A- in English and Kiswahili.
- Five-year scholarship including a first year of Japanese language training. Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and six-year pharmacy courses run for seven years.
Research student requirements (2026 round, for reference)
- Kenyan citizen born on or after 2 April 1992.
- A degree with at least Second Class Upper Division, or a Master’s degree.
- A research plan in the same or a related field to your previous study.
- A term of 18 months or two years, including six months of Japanese language study.
These are last round’s figures. Check the new embassy notice when it appears.
How selection works
- Document screening. You submit forms and supporting documents by hand, courier, or post. They must reach the embassy before the deadline.
- Written examinations. Shortlisted candidates sit exams in Nairobi. Subjects depend on the category and field, and the embassy publishes past papers on the Study in Japan website.
- Interview. Candidates who pass the exams are interviewed.
- Final placement. The embassy recommends candidates to MEXT in Tokyo, which decides the award and university placement.
How to prepare before April
- Download last year’s forms and past papers from the Study in Japan website and practise.
- Work on the subjects tested, especially mathematics and English.
- For research applicants, start drafting your research plan and identify your field early.
- Order certified transcripts and reference letters.
- Plan delivery so documents arrive before the deadline, with a margin for courier delays.
Common mistakes
- Missing the delivery deadline because the package was late
- Using an old application form
- Applying when age or grade requirements are not met
- Paying anyone who claims to speed up the process
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get forms? Free from the Study in Japan website, as the embassy directs.
Can I email my application? Follow the current notice. Recent rounds required documents to be received at the embassy.
Embassy contact: Scholarship Desk, scholarships@nb.mofa.go.jp, +254 20 2898 511.
Official source: Embassy of Japan in Kenya, scholarships pages.