Once you start down the MEXT Scholarship path, you may want to keep going, so you’ll need to know about the scholarship extension application process.
In many cases, no information is available about the extension application before it is time to apply, so scholarship winners worry about this extension. Here are just a few of the questions I often receive in blog comments and by email:
- It is easy (or guaranteed) to extend your scholarship?
- Is it possible to extend my scholarship to move up to the next degree?
- Can I extend my scholarship and move to a different university?
- What are the requirements to extend a MEXT Scholarship?
- Am I eligible to extend my MEXT scholarship?
- How/when do I apply to extend my MEXT Scholarship?
In this article I will explain how the MEXT scholarship extension application system works, who is and is not eligible to extend their scholarship, and everything you need to know about eligibility and requirements. I will explain each type of extension separately, so scroll down to the scholarship extension type you are most interested in for more details. (But read the next section first!)
These guidelines are current as of 2019, for students extending their scholarship within that academic year.
When is it Impossible to Extend your MEXT Scholarship?
There are a few situations where it is impossible to extend your scholarship. Fortunately, these situations will apply to a very, very small number of students, but let’s get them out of the way first:
- If you will not be moving on to a new level. (For example, you cannot extend your scholarship award time as a research student or Master’s student beyond 2 years, or your time as a Doctoral student beyond 3 years.)
- If you are already a doctoral degree student.
- If you are in a degree program and want to become a research student.
- If you are a University Recommended MEXT Scholar and want to change universities.
- If you are a PGP Scholarship Winner, but your university has no PGP scholarship slots in the next degree level for the year you would advance.
- If you require permission from your employer or home country government to extend your MEXT scholarship and fail to obtain it.
- If you intend to conduct fieldwork or participate in an internship outside of Japan after extending your scholarship.
- If you fail to obtain acceptance to the degree program at the next level that you plan to apply for.
Who Can Extend Their Scholarship?
Here is a list of the different scholarship extension types and who is eligible. You can find more details about each extension in the sections below’
| Started As | Current Status | Extending To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Student | Research Student | Masters or Doctoral Degree Program (including professional degree programs) |
|
| Non-PGP: Research Student or Master’s Degree Student |
Master’s Degree Student (including professional degree programs) | Doctoral Degree (including professional degree programs) |
|
| Non-PGP: Bachelor’s Degree Student | Bachelor’s Degree Student | Master’s Degree (including professional degree programs) or Doctoral Degree, in the case of a 6-year undergraduate program in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or veterinary studies |
|
| Non-PGP: Bachelor’s Degree Student College of Technology Student Specialized Training College Student |
Master’s Degree Student | Doctoral Degree (including professional degree programs) | |
| College of Technology Student | College of Technology Student | Bachelor’s Degree Student (3rd year transfer enrollee) or advanced course at the College of Technology | |
| Specialized Training College Student | Specialized Training College Student | Bachelor’s Degree Student (3rd year transfer enrollee) | |
| College of Technology Student Specialized Training College Student |
Bachelor’s Degree Student | Master’s Degree | |
| PGP: Master’s Degree Student | Master’s Degree Student (including professional degree programs) | Doctoral Degree |
|
MEXT Scholarship Extension Application Requirements
Here are the requirements, conditions, and number of slots available for each type of extension.
Extending from Research to Degree Program
In order to extend from Research Student Status to a Degree Program, applicants must:
- Be expected to receive admission in the appropriate degree program
- Be strongly recommended by their advising professor
- Be appropriate for recommendation, as determined by the president of the university or Dean of the Graduate School
Changing Universities
For Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholars, it is possible to change universities when moving from research student to degree-seeking student status. However, the student’s current advising professor must clearly explain the need for the change in the adviser’s section of the extension application form. Students may designate up to two universities for where they want to move up to the degree program, but if they move up to another university, they would lose their scholarship.
University-Recommended MEXT Scholars (including PGP scholars) will lose their scholarships if they change universities.
Slots
There is no limit to the number of scholars that universities can nominate in this category. However, that does not mean that all nominees will automatically be accepted for extension by MEXT. The number of successful nominees will be determined by the contents of the nomination and MEXT’s budget.
In practice, I have never heard of anyone in this situation being unsuccessful in their extension application. The caveat about MEXT’s budget is always there because they are not allowed to commit to any spending in advance of the fiscal year. It is nothing to worry about.
Extending from Master’s to Doctoral or Bachelor’s to Master: Non-PGP
This category does not include students who started as undergraduate MEXT scholars, previously extended to a Master’s degree, and are now applying to extend to a PhD. Please see below for that category.
Both of these categories have the same requirements and share a combined slot limit, so I am addressing them together.
In order to extend to the next degree level, applicants must:
- Have a GPA of 2.50/3.00 in their current degree program
- Be expected to receive admission in the appropriate degree program
- Be strongly recommended by their advising professor
- Be appropriate for recommendation, as determined by the president of the university or Dean of the Graduate School
- Be expected to complete their current degree within the standard years of enrollment
The standard years of enrollment is 4 years for a bachelor’s degree and 2 years for a master’s degree. If you take longer than that to earn your degree, you would lose your scholarship at the end of the standard years (or as soon as it became apparent that you would not finish within the standard years) and would not be able to extend your scholarship.
Changing Universities
The same condition applies as to research students extending to the degree program.
For Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholars, it is possible to change universities when moving from research student to degree-seeking student status. However, the student’s current advising professor must clearly explain the need for the change in the adviser’s section of the extension application form. Students may designate up to two universities for where they want to move up to the degree program, but if they move up to another university, they would lose their scholarship.
Slots
The total number of students a university can nominate for these two types of extension combined is equal to the average number of nominees for the two types combined over the past three years, rounded up. If a university has not nominated any students for extension in either category over the preceding three years, the number of nominees is capped at one.
Unlike the condition for research students advancing to the degree program, above, there is no statement about not all nominees being accepted.
Former Undergraduate MEXT Scholar Extending from Master’s to Doctoral Program
In order to extend to a doctoral degree, applicants must:
- Have a GPA of 2.80/3.00 in their current master’s degree program
- Be expected to receive admission in the appropriate doctoral degree program
- Be strongly recommended by their advising professor
- Be appropriate for recommendation, as determined by the president of the university or Dean of the Graduate School
- Be expected to complete their current degree within the standard years of enrollment
The standard years of enrollment for a master’s degree program is 2 years. If you fail to complete your degree within 2 years, you would lose your scholarship at that point (or as soon as it became apparent that you would not graduate within 2 years) and would not be eligible to apply to extend your scholarship.
Slots
There is no limit to the number of scholars that universities can nominate in this category. However, that does not mean that all nominees will automatically be accepted for extension by MEXT. The number of successful nominees will be determined by the contents of the nomination and MEXT’s budget.
In practice, I have never heard of anyone in this situation being unsuccessful in their extension application. The caveat about MEXT’s budget is always there because they are not allowed to commit to any spending in advance of the fiscal year. It is nothing to worry about.
College of Technology MEXT Scholar Extending to Bachelor’s Program or Advanced Courses at the College of Technology
In order to extend to a bachelor’s degree transfer student, applicants must:
- Have a GPA of 2.80/3.00 in their current program with a class attendance rate of 95% or better
- Be expected to receive transfer admission into the third year* of the appropriate bachelor’s degree program
- Be strongly recommended by their advising professor
- Be appropriate for recommendation, as determined by the president of the university or Dean of the Graduate School
- Have a clear connection between their current field of study and the field of study to be pursued in the bachelor’s degree
*For students who are not able to meet this criteria, the nominating school must consult with MEXT in advance. Applicants are responsible for researching the possibility and availability of transfer applications at their desired programs in advance to ensure it is possible.
Changing Universities
Allowed (required if transferring to a bachelor’s degree). Applicants may select up to two universities, two advanced courses at colleges of technology, or one of each, that they want to proceed to.
Slots
In general, up to 1 nominee per College of Technology. However, that does not mean that all nominees will automatically be accepted for extension by MEXT. The number of successful nominees will be determined by the contents of the nomination and MEXT’s budget.
Specialized Training College MEXT Scholar
In order to extend to a bachelor’s degree transfer student, applicants must:
- Have a GPA of 2.80/3.00 in their current program with a class attendance rate of 95% or better
- Be expected to receive transfer admission into the third year* of the appropriate bachelor’s degree program
- Be strongly recommended by their advising professor
- Be appropriate for recommendation, as determined by the president of the university or Dean of the Graduate School
- Have a clear connection between their current field of study and the field of study to be pursued in the bachelor’s degree
*For students who are not able to meet this criteria, the nominating school must consult with MEXT in advance. Applicants are responsible for researching the possibility and availability of transfer applications at their desired programs in advance to ensure it is possible.
Changing Universities
Required. Applicants may select up to two universities that they want to proceed to.
Slots
Up to 5 nominees per Specialized Training College. However, that does not mean that all nominees will automatically be accepted for extension by MEXT. The number of successful nominees will be determined by the contents of the nomination and MEXT’s budget.
Former College of Technology MEXT Scholar or Specialized Training College MEXT Scholar Extending from Bachelor’s to Master’s Program
In order to extend to a master’s degree, applicants must:
- Have a GPA of 2.80/3.00 in their current bachelor’s degree program
- Be expected to receive admission in the appropriate master’s degree program
- Be strongly recommended by their advising professor
- Be appropriate for recommendation, as determined by the president of the university or Dean of the Graduate School
- Be expected to complete their current degree within the standard years of enrollment
The standard years of enrollment for a bachelor’s degree program is 4 years. If you fail to complete your degree within 2 years, you would lose your scholarship at that point (or as soon as it became apparent that you would not graduate within 4 years) and would not be eligible to apply to extend your scholarship.
Changing Universities
It is not possible to change universities.
Slots
There is no limit to the number of scholars that universities can nominate in this category. However, that does not mean that all nominees will automatically be accepted for extension by MEXT. The number of successful nominees will be determined by the contents of the nomination and MEXT’s budget.
In practice, I have never heard of anyone in this situation being unsuccessful in their extension application. The caveat about MEXT’s budget is always there because they are not allowed to commit to any spending in advance of the fiscal year. It is nothing to worry about.
Extending from Master’s to Doctoral: PGP Scholarship Recipients
In order to extend to the next degree level, applicants must:
- Have a GPA of 2.50/3.00 in their current degree program
- Be expected to receive admission in the appropriate degree program
- Be strongly recommended by their advising professor
- Be appropriate for recommendation, as determined by the president of the university or Dean of the Graduate School
- Be expected to complete their current degree within the standard years of enrollment
The standard years of enrollment is 2 years for a master’s degree. If you take longer than that to earn your degree, you would lose your scholarship at the end of the standard years (or as soon as it became apparent that you would not finish within the standard years) and would not be able to extend your scholarship.
Changing Universities
It is not possible to change universities as a PGP Scholarship recipient.
Slots
A university can only nominate students for scholarship extension if the PGP program was originally able to nominate students at both the Master’s and Doctoral level and is still able to nominate extension students in the year that you apply for the extension.
The rules about when it is possible to extend have changed several times and are subject to future change depending on the year that the PGP program was approved, so ultimately you are going to have to check with the university that you want to apply to to see if it will be possible to extend or not.
Since PGP programs are approved to accept new students over a three-year program, if you enroll as a Master’s student in the program’s first year, you would be eligible to apply for extension at the conclusion of your degree, since the program would still be in its third year of approval and accepting new students. (Though you would be competing with those new Doctoral level students for a slot).
If you enroll in the Master’s degree in the PGP program’s second or third year, though, the possibility of extension can vary, so you would need to contact your university to find out for sure. In past years, it has not been possible in some cases, possible in all cases, or possible only if the university applied for an extension of the PGP program period as a whole (regardless of whether that extension was approved or not).
(Thanks to reader Alex who pointed out that the handling of extensions started changing from year to year after programs approved in 2019!)
Payment of Application and Matriculation Fees
If you are applying to extend your MEXT scholarship fees, you would be responsible for paying all application and matriculation fees for the programs that you want to apply to. However, the fees would be refunded to you as follows, based on the success of your applications.
If your application to extend your MEXT scholarship is successful, the application and matriculation fees to the university you enroll in would be refunded.
If you apply to multiple universities (Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholars are allowed to apply up to two during the extension process), then your fees for the university that you do not end up attending would not be refunded.
Your fees would also not be refunded if you failed to pass the entrance exam or if your MEXT scholarship extension application was not approved.
Application Timeline
While the exact timing will vary slightly by your university’s procedures, expect the application to begin between October to December of the calendar year preceding when you plan to extend. In some cases, this would mean that you would be applying for the extension almost immediately after arriving in Japan.
Your university should let you know when it is time to apply, but if you do not hear from them by the beginning of December, it would be a good idea to contact your university’s Center for International Affairs to follow up.
Application Forms
You will receive the forms from your current university, but they should not pose any difficulty.
The application form itself is similar to the initial application form, but shorter and simpler. Since you have already completed the application form once, it will be no trouble.
The second form you have to submit is a Research Plan or Research Status Report. If you are applying to advance to the next degree, your Research Plan would be similar to the type of document you submitted for your initial Field of Study and Research Program Plan, except simpler. In this case, you would not be submitting your application for a competitive evaluation to professors/a university that is unfamiliar with your performance. So, your plan can be a simpler explanation of what you plan to research. Your current adviser should be willing to help you write it, as well.
If you are extending from research student status to degree status, and continuing your ongoing research, then you would write an update on your progress.
Former undergraduate or college of technology MEXT scholarship winners extending from Master’s to Doctoral degrees and former college of technology students extending from a Bachelor’s to Master’s degree must also submit a short essay. However, MEXT’s application guidelines have no instructions for this essay, so please follow up with your host university for more details (and let me know in the comments below!)
Special Thanks
Special thanks to the TranSenz supporters on Patreon, especially Daimyo Supporter Kenzo who pledges $10 per month to show his support! You can show your support for TranSenz on Patreon for as little as $1 (0.08% of a MEXT monthly stipend) per month. If TranSenz has helped you in your application process and you want to “pay it forward” to keep this site running to help future applicants, every contribution helps!
If you want to show your support but Patreon is out of reach, I’d appreciate it if you say hi on social media or in the comments below to let me know if you appreciate these posts. You can find me on facebook at @TranSenz or on Twitter at @tagsenzaki. I look forward to saying hi!
Questions?
Let me know in the comments below!
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Hello Travis!
Thank you for your guidance it helps a lot. I am MEXT embassy recommended master scholar and I heard that my gpa should be higher than 2.5 while applying for extension. I have some questions please.
First what happen when at the period of applying for extension I do not have the 30 credits necessary for my master graduation will MEXT only consider my available credit or wait for my graduation?
Second does it negatively impact my extension if I got a C or a B grade in my Gpa?
Finally do you have any idea when the extension result are generally available for students?
Thank you!!!!
Hi Abdoul-Karim Soubeiga,
Thank you for your feedback!
I think everyone who applies for the extension does so before they have earned enough credits to graduate. As long as you can earn the credits and graduate by the time that you would actually move on to the next degree and graduate (whether that is the spring or fall semester), you should be fine.
Having a B or C on your grades hurts you because it brings down your GPA, but that’s about it. As long as your GPA is still over the requirement, you should be fine.
The results will be released in approximately early March to the universities, and they should let you know as soon as possible after they receive the information.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis! I am Alex. Your guides have been really helpful in this complicated process!
I have a question regarding the “EXTENDING FROM MASTER’S TO DOCTORAL: PGP SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS”:
I am applying a PGP scholarship (master degree) and this scholarship program currently is on its second year period.
When I ask the admin if the scholarship extension is applicable (from master to doctoral program) if I received the scholarship in program’s second year period, they said YES: ” even if the scholarship program is ended before the my master degree completion, or not successfully adopted by MEXT when the university apply for “renewal”, you can still apply for the scholarship extension.”
Apparently, it is contradicting with your statement of:
“Essentially, this means that only scholars who received the PGP scholarship during its initial year would be eligible to advance. Scholars selected in the second or third year of the program implementation, would graduate from their master’s degrees after the program’s selection period had ended, so there would be no available slots.”
Therefore, I am doubting what said by the admin and thinking the admin is brushing me off just to accelerate the application.
So, may I know is the rules has changed recently or is there any special circumstances to allow this kind of situation?
Thank you.
Hi Alex,
As far as I can tell from re-reading the application guidelines for the PGP scholarship as well as the extension application guidelines, my statement about only being able to extend if the university still had PGP places at the next degree level in the year that you plan to extend still applies.
If something has changed, then I was not able to find that information. (Unless, perhaps your program is a 5-year integrated doctoral program? The rules might be different in that case.)
That said, I am no longer working with this application process on a daily basis, so I am not 100% confident contradicting the university staff who are working with it and might have access to clarifying guidance from MEXT. (If so, I would like to find that information for myself so that I can be sure to present the most accurate info here!)
I would not count on having the extension available, but if it is, then consider that a bonus.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Alright, Thank you!
I am confirmed with them.
For the MEXT scholarship extension terms and condition, may I ask is there any official website or source for me to find out the answer myself?
Like official MEXT website, I tried to search before, but get nothing, maybe I didn’t look thoroughly carefully.
If you know one or two, do you mind to tell me (Japanese website is fine. I know Japanese)?
Thank you!!
Hi Alex,
Yes, I’m happy to share the resources I use. I get all of the guidelines from the official MEXT page for the scholarship. The website is all in Japanese, but some of the guidelines (typically for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, only) are available in English.
There is also a sub-page specifically with the application guidelines and forms for the scholarship extension (also entirely in Japanese).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
So sweet. Thanks!!
I suppose what I said above is correct.
They have made the changes since 2019.
You can refer to this link (under Q and A pdf file):
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/boshu/1419613.htm
Anyhow, thank you so much.
The website like a maze to me. Luckily, I am able to find the answer.
Hi Alex,
Thank you for your follow-up research! It did not occur to me to dig into those Q&As (for the universities to apply for PGP program approval) to find information on the extension. Good catch!
The Q&A you sent was for programs seeking approval in 2019 and indicated a change from 2018, but I double-checked the Q&As for 2020 and 2021 programs as well, just to be sure. In 2020, that question didn’t exist at all in the Q&A, so I can’t be completely sure about how it would be handled. Assuming the same as 2019, but I can’t confirm.
For 2021 programs, there was a slight variation: For programs that were approved for both Master’s and Doctoral slots, students who started at the Master’s level in the second or third year can apply to extend to the Doctoral program through the PGP slot even if the university’s application to extend the program as a whole is rejected, but if the university does not apply to extend the program at the end of its validity period in the first place, MEXT will consider the program to be complete and individual students will not be able to extend after that time.
So, it looks like the conclusive answer is the typical Japanese response: “It depends.” Each student is going to have to check with their own university for the rules at that time. . .
Thanks again!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
PS, I’ve updated the article and included a shout-out to you for your help!
Hi Travis
Thank you for this blog it has been really informative and helpful. I need some advice regarding the MEXT extension process. I am extending from Research student to Doctoral student (Embassy-recommended). I have to change universities because my supervisor is retiring. She has recommended me to another supervisor at a new university who has unofficially accepted me. I am still waiting for the official outcome of my entrance exam for the new university which will be released in February. I did pass the entrance exam at my current university in August for April 2022. In the preliminary MEXT extension documents, I put the new university as my first choice, of course, with my supervisor’s recommendation. The International student office has advised me to put my current university as my second choice just in case (even though I won’t have a supervisor). I agree too but I’m also worried. I just want to ask if this is a good idea in your opinion or it’s risky if maybe MEXT prefers keeping students in the same university. Should I just have the new university as my first choice with no second choice and hope that everything goes smoothly with my acceptance process?
Hi Jess,
Thank you for your kind words.
My understanding of the scholarship extension process is that, unlike the original application, you ultimately get to choose the university. MEXT does not force you into one choice or another.
You can only choose one of the two universities that you indicate in your choices, but in the end it should be your decision.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for the information, Travis! I really appreciate it. Happy New Year and season’s greetings.
Hi Travis!
Thanks for all the information and explanation.
I have a question regarding the situation of students from the Teacher Training Program by MEXT. As such, I will be taking non-degree graduate courses throughout a year, and I wonder if there is the chance to continue studying to the completion of a master’s degree.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Florencia,
Unfortunately, Teacher’s Training Program students are not eligible to extend their MEXT Scholarships to continue to a degree program. The application guidelines for the Teacher’s Training Program specifically say that it is not allowed to continue to a degree program (even as a self-financed student).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis!
Thank you for all the valuable info you’ve made available! I had started assuming all these details about MEXT scholarships would be kind of a secret out of my reach.
I’m a non-PGP, embassy-recommended student expecting to extend to a doctoral program starting in 2022. Is it possible for a student in my situation (non-PGP; embassy-recommended) to change to a doctoral program in another university? I should be getting a contact from the university about my extension to a doctoral program soon.
I’ve been kind of worried that I might not get an extension even if I pass the doctoral program tests and enroll in it, in part because universities don’t seem to have the kind of information you provide about MEXT. It’s just I heard of the case of a student in my university who had extended(?)/changed from undergraduate to master’s, then tried to extend from master’s to the doctoral program, but although she passed the program’s tests, she didn’t get her this second scholarship extension. Do you think that would normally be a bugdet problem, or there might be a reason related to the amount of years she had spent getting scholarships? Back when I extended from research student to master’s, I changed to this university. Before that, it seems that they even tried to discourage me to come to this university if I was intending to extend to a doctoral program later, and I thought that might be because of the older case of the student I mentioned, but then I thought there might be some kind of university ranking and I’m just in a place too low for it, etc.
Thank you in advance, and sorry for the lengthiness. I just feel I should know a bit more about my own process as a scholarship recipient, and any further piece of information could help relieve me from this anxiety. In general, would you say I should I stick to “In practice, I have never heard of anyone in this situation being unsuccessful in their extension application.” ?
Hi Pablo,
Thank you for your kind words.
As an Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholar moving from a Master’s Degree to Doctoral Degree, it is possible to change universities.
When you apply for the extension, you can fill in up to two universities that you would like to enroll in for the Doctoral Program. You also have to apply for admission to those two doctoral programs separately, but since you changed universities when moving from research student to degree student, I think you’re already familiar with the process!
The extension is not guaranteed. Unlike the extension from research student to master’s student, where there is no limit on the number of students that can be nominated, each university has a limited number of nomination places for advancing from Master’s to Doctoral, and they might be more likely to prioritize students who are advancing to a doctoral degree within the same university, instead of someone who wants to leave to attend another university, so that is always a consideration.
(For the other student you mentioned that started as an undergrad, then tried to extend from Master’s to Doctoral, that is a separate category and has a stricter screening criteria, so that could have been part of the problem in that student’s case).
I cannot think of any reason why a particular university would have a worse chance of nominating a student for an extension than another, except that the number of places is based on the university’s recent history of nominating students for extension, so if they did not have many students extend in the past, that means they would have fewer slots available for future nominations. But there should still be slots available, no matter the university. It might just be more competitive.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
Thank you again for your prompt and complete answer! Many doubts about the process are being dispelled. I guess I’ll try to stay in my university. I was taking some time to formulate a question, just to confirm the nomination mechanism.
So, I want to enter my university’s doctoral program and, if I’m accepted there, the university (or supervisors?) will nominate students as candidates for scholarship extension, and there are slots for that, is that so? This number of slots is for each university, and it includes only my university’s MEXT candidates for extension, doesn’t it? So it won’t include all people who have entered the program this year regardless of funding/scholarship or recommendation type? So, that’s where you say it could become more competitive, if X number students who have become accepted in the program want to extend for the same university but there have been, say, less than X in previous years, right? Still, probably this number of slots also has to be limited by or within the general number of places for new students in that program, doesn’t it? So before any screening by MEXT, the university (say, with a maximum enrollment capacity of 12 people for the program) can still also control or decide the “intensity” of the recommendations (“strongly recommend” or only “recommend”) for nomination to manage the proportion of MEXT students they want within their maximum capacity, can’t they?
Thank you again, and sorry if I’ve been repeating myself too much. I think I’ll finally have get a grip of the process, even if I’m a bit late for this.
Best regards,
Pablo
Hi Pablo,
Applying for the Extension of the MEXT Scholarship and applying for the Doctoral Process are two completely different processes and you would have to complete each one separately, yourself. If you just apply for the doctoral program, the university is not going to automatically pick up your application and nominate you for the scholarship extension. Both application processes will have their own deadlines and requirements, so make sure that you are following the instructions for each one.
The number of extension slots is for each university, so you are only competing against other MEXT Scholarship students who also want to extend during that year (including both embassy-recommended scholars and university-recommended scholars, and also including scholars extending from bachelor’s to master’s and from master’s to doctoral). So, it could be competitive if there are more candidates than places. The number of places is not directly related to the number of new scholarship slots, it is only related to the number of extensions approved in the past.
When the university nominates candidates to MEXT, there is only “nomination” or “no nomination”. While the university does give a priority order among the candidates, there are no tiers like “strongly recommended” or “recommended”.
I hope that helps.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much, Travis! I’ll bear all that valuable information in mind and do my best!
Pablo
Hi again, Travis!
I have two questions now the extension paperwork period is about to begin. In an earlier post I think I told you that I might have to change universities, for PhD (I’m embassy recommended). Actually, after talking to a professor from a national university, he said he’s willing to be my supervisor (my current supervisor had also said I could choose my own options of universities, as the professors he found himself were in women’s universities or universities without a PhD program). So I was wondering two things:
1) How much can the order of my two options for the extension affect the selection? My options here tend to be “asymmetrical”.
The first time, when I was in my home country, I got accepted as a research student by two professors. One from a city university (first preference) and the other from a national university (second preference). MEXT sent me to my second option, the national one. I think it gave me a clear hint that the government has its own preferences for universities, sometimes prevailing over one’s own choices.
Then, for my extension to master’s degree, I included two universities again, in part because my professor would have to retire. Then I put the national one I was attending as my first preference (another faculty, though), and then again the smaller university where I hadn’t been sent by MEXT before as second preference. I didn’t pass the first option, and I was finally sent to the smaller university. Sadly, some things haven’t been going the way I was expecting here, and some university staff themselves have recommended me to add my second choice again, as it seems they’re not too confident that the government will extend my scholarship if I stay here, even if I pass the exam.
So now, for the PhD, it’s again another national university (different from the first one) and the smaller I’m attending. I need to choose the order. I got the impression that even my current teacher would allow me going for the national university in first place, because he seems to be overwhelmed with work. Do you think national universities are so much more prioritized by the government that even if I put it it in second place, and if I get accepted at both, I’d be sent to the national one anyway?
2) My second question is, what kind of arguments given by me professor will be considered reasonable in case I choose to change to another university? It seems I have to get my own professor to justify that change. Is it really only “professor’s retirement”? It’s really not the case now. But isn’t the content of the research itself or professor’s availability in terms of his/her area also a good reason?
I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to cut to the chase here, adding so much detail. The way they’re treating this at my university has felt weird from the beginning. Even during the entrance exam here last year, I was told by my soon-to-become supervisor himself that I shouldn’t have come to this university, but stay at the former one (I think he didn’t mean it unkindly, though). Also, the professor from the university I’m planning to move was so kind and committed during the interview.
Any tip as to preference order and university change justification (though this doesn’t really depend much on me) would be so helpful at this stage.
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Pablo
Hi Pablo,
1. My understanding for the extension application process is that you get to choose which university you will attend once you pass the extension, as long as you pass the entrance exams at both. I couldn’t tell for sure from your question which one you prefer, but it sounds like the national university is your preference. I would recommend that you put that as your honest first choice if that is the case. (For your placement on your initial selection, that is MEXT’s choice and they make no secret that they prefer national universities then, but I have not heard of applicants being forced into a second-choice university on extension before.)
2. “Professor’s Retirement” is one of the few justifications I have seen for switching universities when moving from Research Student to Degree Student, but a move at that point is much more difficult. MEXT assumes that almost all students will continue their degree studies at the same university where they have been a research student. However, when moving from Master’s to PhD, other justifications are possible and the best justification should be based on your research. If the other university is better prepared to support your research interests – for example, the professor’s research there is closer to your own, they have more extensive facilities, ongoing projects, etc., those are all possible justifications. Your suggestions about the research content and the professor’s availability are perfectly good reasons, too.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
Your last message has helped me set my mind about this. I just hope my professor won’t be against my preferring the national university as first preference instead of the current one. He says it’s ok, but the paperwork itself seems to tire him. It’s kind of painful to have them write the whole recommendation and justification thing for me after having them read the information I’ve already written on the documents.
Next time I ask you something, I think it’s going to be on your Patreon site.
Thank you again for all the knowledge you share!
Hi Pablo,
Thank you for your reply.
I understand it must be difficult to ask a professor to write a recommendation for you to transfer to another university for your next degree, but hopefully that process will be over soon and you can stop worrying about that and just focus on the entrance exams.
Thank you very much for your support on Patreon! Please do feel free to ask any questions you have there and I will respond as quickly as possible.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
As always, your blog is the ultimate guidance for different processes for MEXT scholars. Thank you so much.
I have a question regarding the number of chances you get to apply for the extension. Right now, I am a MEXT research student, and I am planing to join the Doctoral program from October 2022. For that, I have to apply for the extension next month (December 2021).
If at the worst case scenario I failed the examination, do I have another chance? Like for April 2023?
I started my reserch program from October 2021, so I get to stay as a research student as long as 18 months, right? So if there is another extension application period during these 18 months, am I still eligible to apply for that? After the first failed attempt?
Best,
Shaghayegh
Hi Shaghayegh,
Since you started in October 2021, you can stay a research student until March 2023. So, if you do not pass the extension application in December 2021, you would have another chance to apply in December 2022 (there is one application per year), but in that case, your degree would have to start in April 2023 – you could not start the degree in October 2023.
Typically, I have not seen anyone fail the MEXT extension application from Research Student to Degree Student. What happens more often is that applicants pass the MEXT extension but fail the university entrance exam, so they can’t get into the degree program (and therefore can’t extend). In that case, I have heard of applicants withdrawing from the extension and trying again in the next year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey travis Good information, I just have a few questions regarding my situation.
I’ll explain to you, I arrived to japan in October 202o, did 6 months of Japanese Language Training, and then in April 2021 started research in an university. The thing is in this university I failed to enter (because I had some issues with documents) the examination in august that would allowed me to start the Master Course in April 2022. So my question is, 1) there is another possibility I could take for extending the scholarship?. I already recived an email from the international center from my uni that the extension application would be in december, but I don’t have options for now.
2) “Start of the degree program must be within 2 years of starting research student status (including Japanese language education period”. In my case this means I should start up to October 2022, so there are another universities that I could apply for that semester?
3) “Be expected to receive admission in the appropriate degree program”
What does this exactly means? We should present a document from university or from the sensei? What they are expecting you to do so they know you will be accepted?
Hi Ale,
1. If you arrive in October, then the maximum length of your scholarship as a Research Student is 18 months, so in your case, you would have to extend your scholarship/start your degree beginning in April 2022.
If if is no longer possible to apply to your current university for acceptance in April 2022 (I recommend double-checking first), then you would have to apply to another university. (You can apply to up to two.) In that case, you would apply by following their procedures for fee-paying students. You would also have to apply separately for the MEXT Scholarship extension through the process that starts in December.
2. Unfortunately, the maximum length of 2 years only applies if you arrived in April. For October arrivals, the maximum length is 18 months. (Essentially, regardless of whether you arrive in April or October, the last month of your scholarship is March.) You cannot apply for October 2022 admission and extend your MEXT Scholarship to cover that degree. You would have to start in April 2022.
3. If you have already been formally accepted by the university, then you should submit a letter of acceptance. If you are still in the application process, as long as your application is being considered and has not been rejected, you can apply for the extension. As far as I know, there is no specific documentation to show this. However, your scholarship extension would be conditional on getting acceptance to the degree program.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Once again I’m very grateful for your help and the time you take to go through all the comments and answer them accordinlgy.
(Thanks to you) I was accepted as a MEXT research student for autumn 2021 and I’m enrolled as a non-regular student in my university.
I have already started the ‘regular’ application directly with the university to become a regular Master’s student from Spring 2021 (6 months after I began). The results are supposed to come out by mid/end November.
Have your heard how these applications of extensions are currently being handled by MEXT due to the COVID situation? Is there any chance they may reject or reduce the number of spots intended to extensions?
Reading your article, I’m somewhat relieved to see that an extension from research to master’s is basically reduced to a series of acceptances from the university. Is there anything else I should address to during the process?
And just as a last question, when I’m supposed to approach to my embassy and let them know about my intention of extension of scholarship? Or do I handle everything through the university?
Thank you again!
Hi Tomas,
Congratulations on earning the MEXT Scholarship and starting your studies in Japan!
If I understand correctly, you’re currently applying for admission to the university for the degree program, right? As far as I can tell, it looks like MEXT has not yet reached the application guidelines for the Extension application for Spring 2022. However, I have no reason to think that they would reduce the number of places or make it more difficult to get the extension. If anything, given the extremely low number of international students in Japan now (since only MEXT Scholars are allowed to newly enter the country), I would think that they would want to keep the scholars they have!
Once the application guidelines come out, your university should inform you of anything you have to submit. It will generally be a short deadline, but I don’t think any of the materials should require much time to obtain. You will conduct the whole process through the university and should not need to contact your home country embassy.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello! Thanks for your information! I have a question I was hoping you can help me with. I am a mext scholar, in a master’s degree program, and i plan to marry a japanese within the scholarship period. I won’t change my visa status. Will i lose my scholarship somehow if i marry?
Thanks!!
Hi Aren,
No, you won’t lose your scholarship for getting married, as long as you don’t change your status of residence until after your last scholarship payment goes through. As soon as you sign for your last scholarship payment, then you can go to the Immigration Services Agency office and apply for a Change of Status of Residence. (The process is very similar to applying for a Certificate of Eligibility, as I described in that article, except you can do it while in Japan.)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you very much for this useful blog. This helps me become MEXT Scholar. I will begin studying at one of Japanese university this fall as MEXT embassy recommendation. Unforunately,
I was already accepted as regular master student not research student.
Due to personal reason regarding to family issue, this makes me become interested to transfer to other university (master degree) at this time. I’m writing to ask that Is it any possibility or way for me to transfer to another school in this fall?
Hi Siriwat,
Congratulations on earning the MEXT Scholarship!
Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer universities as a MEXT Scholar. The only time you have the opportunity to change in general is when you move up from Master’s to PhD. (Even when you move from Research Student to Degree, you are expected to stay at the same university).
I hope you are able to overcome the issue and succeed in your studies at your current university!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for your blog Travis.
I cant express how much this help me during the journey.
I just want to know one thing.
I am currently a master degree student 2yrs programme and I intend to extend my scholarship to PHD. The PHD programme would take 3 years. Would the scholarship cover the whole 3years if I were accepted?
I heard that MEXT only allow 4 years total.
Again thank you for your marvellous work.
Hi Hsu,
Thank you very much for your kind words!
Yes, if you extend your scholarship to cover the PhD, it would cover all three years. There is no rule that MEXT will only fund a maximum of four years. (In fact, I have seen many students do a year as a research student, a masters, then a PhD for a total of 6 years!)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thanks again for your continue support for MEXT students and potential candidates.
I am currently struggling with choosing my future perspective.
As I mentioned before, I am currently a first year master degree student and I will need to apply for extension soon.
I want to know if it is possible for me to change Supervisor for Phd. My university has two possible phd courses I can take and my current supervisor is different from the course I want to take.
Can you please share some advice for this?
Hi Hsu,
Thank you for your kind words.
As far as I know, it should be possible to change your advisor for your PhD, but that is really more of a university-level decision. If the university will support the change, as far as MEXT is concerned, you are staying in the same university and, I presume, your overall general field of study will remain the same, just with a different research focus, so it should not be a problem for the scholarship. I recommend asking at your university if they will allow you to change. That could be an awkward conversation with your current advisor, but if you explain the research that you want to conduct and ask his/her opinion on which PhD program and track would be most appropriate for that research, that could be a diplomatic way to move forward.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I have a question regarding the MEXT Scholarship University recommendation, I have enrolled in a university since 2018. First-year I spend as a research student and since 2019 I have been enrolled as a Doctoral student. I wanted to know that if in case I am not graduated by 2022, do I need to pay the money for the scholarship if in case I do not have the money to live further in Japan and I plan to go back home country.
Hi Anonymous,
If you cannot complete your degree on time, then you would lose the MEXT Scholarship as soon as it becomes clear that you cannot graduate on time, but you do not have to pay back the money/award that you have received so far.
Among other things, you would forfeit the MEXT-funded flight ticket home, though, so keep that in mind in your financial planning.
I hope you are able to graduate and that this is all a non-issue!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
One question, if I plan to leave my studies in middle and wanted to go back to my country, what’s the process for that in that case do I need to pay back the scholarship amount in that case as well?
Thanks for the support! it’s a very useful blog for all the questions related to MEXT and life in Japan
Hi Anonymous,
If you need to leave Japan during your studies and cancel your scholarship, you should not be required to pay back any of the funds received in that case, as far as I know, but you’ll want to check with the university. It may depend on the reason and whether or not it’s beyond your control. In the past, I have only dealt personally with cases where the scholarship recipient had a family emergency requiring them to return home. I have never worked with anyone who wanted to leave for their own reasons.
Aside from that, the only penalty you would suffer would be burning the bridges with the relationships you had made in Japan.
For the process, you should talk to the office at your university that administers the scholarship to get started, if necessary.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
First of all your blog is really helpful for MEXT applicants…Thanks and keep it up.
I found your blog recently as I am also planning to apply for MEXT scholarship next to next year. I am currently in the 2nd year of my bachelor in computer science and hoping to get admitted to Osaka University in Information Technology department to pursue my masters.
My questions are as follows.
1. If I apply as a research student will it be tough to get an extension to Masters, as I have heard that we need to pass the entrance examination to get in masters. So Osaka being a prestigious university, will it be hard to pass the entrance exam later?
2. What are the chances that I will be selected if I apply directly for Masters…as doing graduation is my ultimate goal….so are there greater chances to get admitted as a research fellow or directly to a masters program…
Hi Vishal Thakur,
Thank you for your kind words.
1. Applying for the scholarship extension and applying for admission into the degree program are two different processes. I can say that applying for the scholarship extension is relatively easy (certainly easier than applying for the scholarship in the first place!). As for the entrance exam, if you’re planning to apply for the MEXT Scholarship next year, then it is going to be at least two years before you take the entrance exam. That should give you plenty of time to prepare so that you won’t have a problem with the exam!
2. The most difficult stage of the application process is the Primary Screening at the Embassy, so that is what you should be focused on for now. In your application form, you will have the chance to say whether you want to start as a Master’s Degree student or a Research Student, but that is just your preference. If you tick Master’s Degree student, there is still a chance that the university will instead accept you as a Research Student, since it is ultimately their decision. It is going to be up to each university as to how they prefer to accept students, but it should not affect your chances of acceptance one way or another.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello again,
So I was wondering what should one (as a IPGP master’s student) do in case they want to move to another university for the doctoral degree? Would it be possible to just simply reapply for the scholarship in the second year?
As another somewhat unrelated question, would one still be eligible for the scholarship if they are permanent residents?
Thank you very much!
Hi Anony,
Do you mean PGP? If you are a University-Recommended MEXT Scholar, regardless of whether you are general category or PGP, you cannot change universities and keep the MEXT Scholarship. You would have to become a self-funded student if you were to change universities.
If you want to apply again for the MEXT Scholarship at another university, then you would need to have three full years of education or work experience counting from the end of your current MEXT scholarship before you would be able to start a new scholarship.
Permanent residents are not eligible for the scholarship. You would have to give up your permanent residence status and obtain a new Student Visa and residence status as a MEXT Scholar to be eligible. In that case, there is no guarantee that you would be able to reobtain Permanent Resident status later.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for your response.
The university calls it “International Priority Graduate Programs”, but I think they are the same?
I am currently accepted for masters and I do not want to change universities at this point, but I would like to go to some other university for my doctoral degree. Would I still need to wait 3 years? (sorry if I wasn’t clear in my first comment)
Hi Anony,
I think that is the same. I did a little searching and saw the International Priority Graduate Program term used on MEXT’s website in places, too.
Unfortunately, all PGP (including IPGP) programs fall under the umbrella of University-Recommended MEXT Scholarships, so you cannot change universities. If you want to study a doctorate at another university with a MEXT Scholarship, you would have to wait three years (of full-time employment or study) to be eligible again.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
You mentioned that for the PGP extension, there must be enough doctoral-level space.
At my university, each year for the same PGP program, there are 2 Master’s courses & 5 Ph.D. course positions. I wonder if all 5 Ph.D. course positions are taken for the year (newly admitted MEXT scholar), will this affect the extension application?
If the PGP program is cut or canceled (is this possible?), will this affect current Master’s students to extend to Ph.D. courses?
Thank you for your answer in advance!
Hi Coco,
The total number of slots available includes slots for both new and continuing students. So if the program selects five new PhD students that year, it would not be possible for the Master’s students to extend.
PGP programs can accept students for a total of three years, starting in the year they are approved. So, if you start in the first year of the PGP program as a Master’s Student, you have a chance to extend to the PhD, since that would be in the third year of the program. But if you were to start a year after the PGP program was approved, then you would not be able to extend, since the PGP program wouldn’t be able to accept new students anymore at that point.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thanks for your detailed response!
I looked into the approved PGP list each year. It seems that some universities constantly renew their PGPs every three years. Mine was approved in 2018, so I might have to wait for the 2021 PGP list to come out.
I wonder if the existing PGP students will have the priority to extend their MEXT scholarships, as they already settle in Japan and started their research?
One more question: what would happen if the professor retired during the PGP program? Will this make it more difficult to extend the scholarship?
Thanks for your work and support!
Hi Coco,
I’m not sure if PGP programs are “renewed” or if the university applies for a new, replacement program. If it is considered a new program, you might not be able to extend under that situation, but I would recommend that you ask your university, since they will know better about the program administration details.
I do not think there is any priority given to current PGP scholars just for being in Japan, but you do have the relationship with the university and professor, so that could offer an advantage.
However, if your advisor retires and there is nobody able to take his or her place and supervise your research, that could make it more difficult for the university to accept you as a Doctoral student.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, Travis!
As always, thank you for your guides, as they have helped me get accepted as a research student starting this October through the Embassy-Recommendation route! I would like to clarify a few things though.
– I’m not certain what is meant by the following:
“Students may designate up to two universities for where they want to move up to the degree program, but if they move up to another university, they would lose their scholarship.”
I realize as I’m writing this that it more than likely means I would lose the scholarship if I chose to attend a University other than the two listed in my application to MEXT, but I feel I should get it clarified nonetheless.
– Is it possible to apply for the Master’s degree extension after I get confirmation that I passed the entrance examinations for the universities I want to attend?
– I understand that I have to specify two universities to MEXT but would I get in trouble for applying to three or more universities for a master’s degree?
Thank you once again for all your troubles.
Hi Bruce,
Your understanding about the “two universities” is correct. You can only extend your scholarship at the universities that you have listed in the form. However, when extending from research student to degree student, it is expected that you will stay at the same university unless there are extenuating circumstances (such as your advisor retiring) that make it difficult to do so.
The timing for the scholarship extension is fixed and not flexible. Universities need to submit the extension application to MEXT by the beginning of January, so the application deadline will be in December. So it is all a matter of whether or not you can get your Master’s degree acceptance before that.
You would not get in trouble for applying to more than two universities, but you would have to pay all application fees yourself and if you proceed to any of the universities not on your list, you would forfeit the scholarship. Your advisor might also be unhappy if he or she finds out, since you are expected to extend at the same university.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hello.
I am really sorry for this but what is PGP and non PGP? I dont quite understand this and I cant figure out which category I belong to.
I am 2021 embassy recommend mext scholar student and will start my master in October. I’d like to know my options ahead of time.
Hi Red,
PGP and non-PGP only apply to University-Recommended MEXT Scholars (they are different categories of slots within that scheme). As an Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholar, you do not need to worry about that.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, Travis. Thank you so much for your help. I am very grateful, I’ve been struggling with access to education, and this scholarship really gives me hope, as well as people who are willing to help. Thank you so much!
I have one question about the connection between the fields. I have reviewed the available fields in the Specialized Training Program, and it says we can choose Nursing. I was wondering if I could extend the scholarship so I would be able to graduate as a doctor, or if this is impossible. The connection would be between Nursing and Medicine, but it can be different.
Thank you again, and I hope God bless you!
Hi Chocolat lover,
You will be able to apply to extend your MEXT Scholarship at the end of your period of study at the Specialized Training College to enroll in a 4-year university program, starting from the third year.
In terms of meeting the continuity requirement, it should be no problem to transfer from a nursing program to a pre-med undergraduate program. However, you would have to find a university that would be able to accept a 3rd-year transfer student into its medical program.
If your goal is to earn a medical doctorate in the end, another option would be to apply for the Undergraduate Scholarship and start directly in a bachelor’s degree of medicine.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello!
First of all, thank you for your guide. It helped me get accepted and now I’m in the last semester of my Master’s degree.
Some questions though, about the extension.
Due to the pandemic, my fieldwork has been affected. And while I have enough data to finish writing and graduate by September, I feel like my research is “raw” or half-baked coz I only did qualitative interviews and no fieldwork. With the vaccines reportedly coming this summer, I think that my fieldwork may get a good chance to happen if I wait it out.
My questions are:
1. Is it possible to extend my Master’s student status for one (1) more semester? and;
2. With the said extension, will MEXT also extend my tuition and stipend?
Thank you coz I’ve been really thinking about it really hard.
Thanks and stay safe!
Hi Des,
While I understand your frustration with the state of your research, unfortunately, it is not possible to extend the duration of your MEXT Scholarship while remaining in the same degree program.
You should be able to extend your enrollment at the university for another semester, but you would lose the scholarship during that time, so you would have to pay tuition on your own and would no longer have a living stipend. You would also forfeit the MEXT-funded plane ticket home from Japan (if you are in Japan now).
Your university might have other scholarship opportunities that you could try for if you extend for a semester, but that’s really going to be up to them.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis! Your guides have been really helpful in this complicated process!
I am an embassy recommended student from the 2020/2021 batch that hasn’t heard the Second Screening Results yet. Nevertheless, my advisor asked me to do the entrance exam to the University of Tokyo in advance from my home country, and I got admitted.
In the application form I selected “Research Student” as I didn’t consider getting admitted in my first attempt. My LOA also mentioned the same thing, as I had not taken the test at that point. As I haven’t been a research student in Japan yet (arrival to Japan is still uncertain for Fall Semester) do I have to apply for the extension/changing my status to Masters Student?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Ana,
Congratulations on passing the entrance exam!
Even if the university was planning to admit you as a research student, if you pass the entrance exam before arrival, the university should be able to report that to MEXT and change your status to degree-seeking student from the time that you arrive. In that case, you should not need to apply for the extension process.
However, once you get your final results in June, then I recommend you follow up with the scholarship office at University of Tokyo to double-check the procedures with them.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello sir,
I wanted to ask that is it possible to change the graduate schools under the same university while extending the scholarship from research to masters?
Thank you
Hi Palak,
I have heard of cases where this is possible. I remember hearing about one (multidisciplinary) grad school at the University of Tokyo that does not accept research students, so all MEXT Scholars have to start as research students in another related graduate school then matriculate to the degree program by changing schools. Unfortunately, I do not have any more specific details, but I think this is only possible when the schools are very closely related and your research topic does not change significantly.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz