Manila: The Japanese Embassy in Manila has extended the application deadline for Filipinos interested in the research category of the 2026 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship program until May 30.

According to Philippines News Agency, the application periods for the undergraduate, specialized training, and college of technology categories concluded on May 23. The MEXT research category grants applicants the opportunity to engage in 18 or 24 months of independent research under the supervision of a Japanese professor.

Applicants can choose any field of study for the scholarship, but they must secure a Japanese professor's agreement to supervise their research. The embassy encourages interested individuals to explore Japanese university websites to identify professors in their chosen field of study.

The embassy clarified that finding a professor does not ensure placement with them, but applicants are permitted to contact professors directly once they pass the initial selection round.