Mext scholarships – what do they mean by 3 years distance between scholarships?

[Alex21]

Hey! I'm currently in Japan with the Japanese studies scholarships, which will end in a few months. I want to apply in the future for the research student mext scholarship, and started to do a bit of research. I know it's a bit early to think about this, but I want to know what I'll do with my life from autumn onwards.

Rules say that at least 3 years must pass since your last scholarship for you to apply for another. However, I found this info on some websites:

You cannot apply if you have received a Monbukagakusho scholarship in the last 3 years (unless the applicant is a Japanese language student or Japanese studies student).

and

This exclusion will not apply to a research-student applicant, who (i) as a foreign student in Japan received training in the Japanese language and/or Japanese culture at a university and graduated from it


Does this apply to me or not? I'm afraid to put my hopes up...and this exception is not even written on my embassy's website. I'm a bit confused now. Is there anyone who knows more about this rule?

 

[scottwo]

I recently saw this, too. I'm a prospective Japanese Studies recipient (I passed the Embassy recommendation, but haven't heard back on the final result, yet) and looked up the Research scholarship for a friend. I saw that and feel like that's what it should mean. I feel like that makes sense. They figure they'd already be paying for 6 months of language study, so why not just let them do the 1 year one before. It might actually save time and money in the long run. I wonder if the Japanese makes it any more clear. Let me check.

「ただし、帰国後、在籍大学を卒業（見込みの者を含む。）した日本語・日本文化研修留学生、日
韓共同理工系学部留学生及びﾔﾝｸﾞ･ﾘｰﾀﾞｰｽﾞ･ﾌﾟﾛｸﾞﾗﾑ留学生が、研究留学生として応募する場合はこの限りではない。」

It seems pretty much just like the English. If, after returning to their home country, the Japanese or Japanese Cultural Studies student graduates from their own university, they are not excluded when applying as a research student. MEXT scholarships are definitely included because the quote above was taken from the section on Monbusho recipients. So, looks like it's a go, Alex.

 

[ankitravankar]

Hey! I'm currently in Japan with the Japanese studies scholarships, which will end in a few months. I want to apply in the future for the research student mext scholarship, and started to do a bit of research. I know it's a bit early to think about this, but I want to know what I'll do with my life from autumn onwards.

Rules say that at least 3 years must pass since your last scholarship for you to apply for another. However, I found this info on some websites:

You cannot apply if you have received a Monbukagakusho scholarship in the last 3 years (unless the applicant is a Japanese language student or Japanese studies student).

and

This exclusion will not apply to a research-student applicant, who (i) as a foreign student in Japan received training in the Japanese language and/or Japanese culture at a university and graduated from it


Does this apply to me or not? I'm afraid to put my hopes up...and this exception is not even written on my embassy's website. I'm a bit confused now. Is there anyone who knows more about this rule?

If you are planning to continue in the same university better find a supervisor fast and get in contact with him and discuss your research plan ahead.
If he is willing to take you as a student , he will forward your application to the MEXT and you will be awarded the scholarship.

My brother was a japanese culture studies student and he applied for the research student scholarship after returning to the home country within 1 year and was awarded the scholarship , but he made sure to find a professor to take him.

What most students dont know is its always good to get in contact with the professor since he is the one who will approve your admission rather than waiting for the application .
In your case you are already in Japan , so in worst case you will have to go back to your country( air fare paid by the MEXT ) and then reapply in an year and come back. But if you find a good supervisor he might let you continue directly to the research course.

Also the rule of 3 years gap applies to student who are granted scholarship for a period more than 2 years (Masters course or PhD). Its totally Ok to apply.

 

[Alex21]

ankitravankar, thank you so much for the info! But I'm still confused a bit. I asked some of my teachers and they said it's not their decision to take me back. They said I first have to apply at the embassy again, and I get the scholarship IF I get chosen by both the embassy and the japanese ministry. And that it could happen to not be awarded the scholarship even if a teacher accepted you. I don't get it anymore...