Hokkaido University MEXT Scholarship IGP Special Quota Application (October 2026 Admission)

Hokkaido University is pleased to announce the recruitment of the International Graduate Program (IGP) specifically for MEXT scholarship students, for admission in October 2026.

The IGP is a program for those who wish to pursue graduate studies in life sciences at the Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University. The IGP program has been recognized as a special recipient of the MEXT scholarship. The specific name of the program is the Life Science Researcher Training Program for Solving Global Issues (click here to see the flyer)

About MEXT Special Scholarships: click here
a)  3-year MEXT scholarship for 5 doctoral students and 2-year MEXT scholarship for 3 master’s students are available during their study at Hokkaido University
b) Scholarship of 145,000 JPY (MC) per month will be paid.
Admission & tuition fees will be waived
c) Travel expenses from the airport nearest to your place of residence to Japan and final departure from Japan will be covered *however, depending on the ticket arrangements, travel expenses within Japan may be at students own expense

Life at Hokkaido University:
– Hokkaido University provides student dormitories for international students which located at and near Sapporo Campus. Each dormitory room comes equipped with fresh bedding and linen, as well as high speed internet access
– The Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education provides a support desk staffed with international students who can answer your questions

Application Procedure:
1. If you wish to apply for the MEXT Scholarship (IGP Special Quota), go to the laboratory list to determine which lab is the best fit for you: click here
2. Contact the directors directly to get information application procedures

Application Steps (tentative):
1. Contact prospective supervisors to discuss suitability for the scholarship by November 10, 2025 (early action is recommended)
2. Obtain a permission to enroll in the laboratory (Laboratory Screening)
3. Submit application documents to the IGP office by December 10, 2025
4. Your supervisor submit documents to the IGP office by December 10, 2025
[Documents that need to be submitted]
*Do confirm this with prospective supervisor for the details and template form files
*It’s highly recommended to prepare official documents that take time to issue as early as possible
– Application form Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
– Field of study and study program
– Recommendation Letter
– Photocopy of valid passport
– Official Transcript issued by the last academic institution previously attended
– Additional info confirmation sheet
– Certificate of graduation (or expected graduation) or diploma
– Objective data that indicate that the applicant’s academic excellence
– Summary of master’s degree thesis (or undergraduate research)
– Objective documents that indicate the applicant’s English proficiency

5. Documents screening of each course
6. Final screening by the IGP committee
7. Students who passed the final screening will be recommended to the MEXT (Japanese government) in March

NOTE:
You are not eligible for the MEXT scholarship if any of the following criteria apply. You must decline the awarded scholarship if an ineligibility is found after scholarship approval:
i) Active service members or civilian employees of foreign armed forces;
ii) Those who cannot arrive in Japan by the date designated by Japanese government (MEXT) or their host universities;
iii) Those who have ever received any of Japanese government (MEXT) scholarships in the past, including ones who declined after arrival in Japan.
iv) Those who have applied for another MEXT scholarship for 2026 fiscal year (e.g. Teacher Training) aside from this scholarship;
vi) Those who are to be granted scholarship by agencies other than Japanese Government(MEXT), including their home country government agencies, during this scholarship grant period.
vii) A prospective graduate who cannot meet academic qualifications and other criteria by a designated date;
viii) A dual citizen who cannot prove renunciation of his/her Japanese citizenship by the time of arrival in Japan;
ix) Those who are intending to engage in research work outside Japan, e.g., internship, field work etc., or planning to take leave of absence at the point of application
x) The Doctoral Degree Holders who has no intention to take a degree

For more inquiries you can reach out to:
IGP Committee
E-mail: igp@sci.hokudai.ac.jp