Everything You Need to Know About Monbukagakusho: MEXT Scholarship for Teacher-Training 2021

The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship for Teacher-Training 2021 is now open to Malaysians!

International teachers from Malaysia are encouraged to apply especially if they wish to conduct research on school education at designated Japanese universities as Teacher Training Students.

See below for the full guidelines to qualify for this scholarship:

What are the full requirements to apply?

• Nationality: Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible. However, persons with dual nationality who hold Japanese nationality and whose place of residence at the time of application is outside of Japan are eligible to apply as long as they choose the nationality of the other country and renounce their Japanese nationality by the date of their arrival in Japan. The First Screening must be conducted at the Japanese diplomatic mission in the country of which the applicant chooses the nationality.
• Age: In principle, applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1986. Exceptions are limited to cases in which MEXT deems that the applicant could not apply within the eligible age limit due to the situation or circumstances of the applicant’s country (military service obligation, loss of educational opportunities due to disturbances of war, etc.). Personal circumstances (financial situation, family circumstances, state of health, circumstances related to applicant’s university or place of employment etc.) will not be considered for exceptions.
• Japanese Language Ability: Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese. Applicants must be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their understanding of Japan after arriving in Japan. Applicants must also have the ability to do research and adapt to living in Japan.
• Health: Applicants must submit a health certificate in the prescribed format signed by a physician attesting that the applicant has no physical or mental conditions hindering the applicant’s study in Japan.

What about the Visa requirements?

An applicant shall, in principle, newly obtain a “Student” visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission located in the applicant’s country of nationality, and enter Japan with the newly obtained residence status of “Student”. Accordingly, even if the applicant already has other residence status (“Permanent resident,” “Long-term resident,” etc.), the applicant must change it to the “Student” status and re-enter Japan.Moreover, the applicant should be aware that after expiration of the status as a MEXT Scholarship student and even if the student again applied for their original resident status of “Permanent resident” or “Long-term resident,” such resident statuses might not be necessarily granted. It should be noted that if the grantee comes to Japan without newly obtaining the “Student” visa, the provision of the scholarship will be stopped.

What should my education background look like to qualify for this scholarship?

You must be graduates of universities or teacher training schools and have worked as teachers at primary/secondary educational institutions or teacher training schools (excluding universities) in their home countries for a total period of five years or more as of October 1, 2021. In-service faculty members in a higher education institution are not eligible.

Will I get an allowance with this scholarship?

Yes, you will! MEXT will provide you 143,000 yen per month. A supplemental regional allowance of 2,000 or 3,000 yen per month will be added to the monthly scholarship amount for the grantees studying or conducting research in specially designated regions. Due to the situation of the Japanese Government’s budget, the amount of payment may be subject to change each fiscal year. If a grantee is absent from the university for an extended period, the scholarship shall be suspended for that period.

What about the education fees?

Fees for the entrance examination, matriculation and tuition at universities will be paid by MEXT.

How do I submit my application?

Please visit the Public Service Department of Malaysia website for a full set of application forms and requirements in detail and here for a full document checklist.

The Japanese diplomatic missions will conduct the First Screening of applicants by means of examination of submitted application documents, a written examination (subject: Japanese and English) and interviews.

When is the deadline?

The deadline for the MEXT Scholarship for Teacher-Training 2021 is February 18 2021!

When is the scholarship period?

The scholarship period is the necessary period for the completion of the accepting university’s training course, which should be between October 2021 (or the starting month of the course) and March 2023. Extension of the scholarship period is not permitted.

What happens after the scholarship?

Applicants must assure that they return to their home country by the end of the final month of the scholarship period and resume their work as a teacher at his/her primary/secondary educational institution or teacher training school. 

Applicants shall utilize the results of their research on school education in Japan. If a grantee fails this condition, he/she may be ordered to return the entire amount of the scholarship paid during the scholarship period. Those who are uncertain about returning and resuming their work after the end of the scholarship period should not apply for this program.

Apply to the scholarship right here.

To find out more scholarships and courses, check links.

Afterschool.my is Malaysia’s no 1 higher education website that provides helpful information on courses, institutions and scholarships for students transitioning from secondary school to university level.