Order direct from TranSenz or your favorite online bookseller today to get a head start on the most important document in your MEXT Scholarship application!
Most Important Part of Your MEXT Scholarship Application
Do you want to win the MEXT Scholarship? Are you worried if your application is competitive or if you really have a chance?
If that’s you, you need to focus on making your Field of Study and Research Program Plan the best it can be.
Nothing else under your control can make as much of a difference in your MEXT Scholarship application. The Field of Study and Research Program Plan gives you the opportunity to stand out from other applicants, impress your reviewers, and win the scholarship.
With that much pressure on a single document, it helps to have a coach with experience from helping thousands of MEXT Scholarship applicants in the past. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in this book. I have read hundreds of Fields of Study and Research Program Plans from successful and unsuccessful applications, plus offered direct coaching and answered questions to thousands more applicants, and I condense all of that experience and knowledge into this guide.
If you want to know:
- Why the Field of Study and Research Program Plan matters
- How to choose a research topic
- How to write and validate your research question
- How to format and write your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, including:
- How long and detailed it should be for maximum effectiveness
- What to include and what to leave out
- How to meet the reviewer’s expectations
- Mistakes that will reduce your chances and how to avoid them
- Why and how to review and revise your plan
Then this is the book for you!
Practical Exercises and Analysis of Past Plans
Throughout the book, I include exercises designed to help you apply the information from each chapter to complete your own Field of Study and Research Plan. By the time you finish the book, you should have a final product that you can submit with your MEXT Scholarship application.
I also include analysis of plans submitted by past TranSenz readers and three plans that past applicants have shared online, so that you can read their submissions alongside my review to apply the lessons to your own plan.
Both the exercises and the analyses are available as pdf downloads, regardless of the format you purchase the book in, for easy reference.
Take Advantage of the Expertise of Thousands of Applicants
I have spent seven years working in international student recruiting and acceptance for Japanese universities, including three years as the direct point of contact for all MEXT scholarship inquiries and applications at a large, private university. During that time, I have personally processed hundreds of applications and have shared my experience to help over 5000 MEXT scholarship applicants through the process through this blog, which is one of the world’s leading independent sources of information and advice on the MEXT scholarship.
My Mastering the MEXT Scholarship Application: The TranSenz Guide series builds on the blog articles, questions from readers, and further, exhaustive research of successful applicants’ approaches and experiences to bring you the best practices for every step of the application process. It is perfect for the applicant who wants to go deeper than the blog posts do to perfect their application and leave nothing to chance.
Get Started Today!
It is never too early to start working on your Field of Study and Research Program Plan. Most successful applicants spend at least 1-3 months working on this document, and some spend as many as 6, from starting to develop their research topic through completing the proposal.
To give yourself the best chance to win the MEXT Scholarship, order now, direct from TranSenz or your favorite online bookseller!
Want to Read it for Free?
If you want to check out the book, but don’t have the resources to buy it now, why not try to get it at your university library?
How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Field of Study and Research Program Plan is available in print, through Ingramspark or Amazon, and in ebook through Overdrive, Bibliotheca, and Baker & Taylor which are ebook distribution networks for libraries, if your library stocks ebooks. Either way, your library should be able to order it through their normal purchasing channels. Here’s the information your library might need:
- Title: How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Field of Study and Research Program Plan
- Author: Travis Senzaki
- ISBN: 978-4-909776-01-3
- Imprint: Travis Senzaki
- Year: 2019
Not sure yet?
No problem. In the meantime, why don’t you take advantage of the free resources I have to offer? If you sign up for my mailing list below, I’ll send you a sample completed application form, plus an email course introducing the MEXT scholarship and the most important things to consider as you start your application. No strings attached!
Hi Travis … I am planning to apply MEXT for graduate (research student). Should I fill all (three) choices the university in Japan I wish to attend ? How about if I only fill first choice ? Will it my application fail in document selection ?
Hi Irene Setia Kristanti,
You are not required to fill in all three selections, at least as far as MEXT is concerned, but I have heard of some embassies insisting that students fill in all three before accepting their applications. You will also need to be prepared to explain why you only listed one university. The assumption of the reviewers may be that you were too lazy to research others, so you will have to show a good reason why you chose only that one.
Even if you fill in all three during your initial application, after you pass the Primary Screening, you will have to apply to universities for Letters of Provisional Acceptance, then resubmit the list along with those letters. You can revise the list at that time, so you could choose to list only one university during that final submission.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I need someone to support me from faculty of pharmaceutical science. I need help on research them and plan as well as how I can be in touch with academic advisors in different universities
Hi Maelaf,
I have an article about how to find universities that teach your desired degree field in English in Japan that might help you find a university to apply to. There is also some advice in there about contacting professors.
But you need to develop your Field of Study and Research Program Plan on your own before applying. If you need help related to developing a research plan for a specific field, I recommend that you work with a faculty member from the university you already graduated from who knows you and would be willing to help.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good Evening Sir.
I might be the youngest amongst everyone up here and I have question hoping to get answers from you.
I was admitted to a University in Japan and will be going to Japan this September for my Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.
Yesterday, the school emailed me to call for application of the MEXT’s Scholarship Top Global University Project.
They told me to send a “research plan or research status” but I am currently a high school student with not much experience and idea. What should I write in there? Should I write a study plan? If yes, can you provide me some guidelines.
Thank you for spending time reading and considering my comment.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards.
Hi Nguyen Tran,
What does your degree program require for a capstone project/thesis? That should be the basis of your research plan. Of course, you’re still years away from actually completing it but if you have an idea of what you want to accomplish with your independent project or research then, you can make a plan for what steps you’ll need to complete in order to achieve it, including things you can start now.
I’m afraid that I do not have personal experience with an undergrad computer science degree or what would be the capstone, etc. Is there anyone you can talk to at the university yet? Perhaps a senior student, even?
You should need need anything nearly as detailed and complex as what I describe in this book, since that is targeted at graduate level research.
If you cannot find anyone in your field to help, I would suggest that you write a plan including at least the following items:
– What you hope to accomplish in your capstone/thesis and why it is important.
– The steps you will need to take to accomplish it.
– What coursework/personal study/practice you will need to be able to accomplish the steps above
– How you will obtain the necessary knowledge (e.g. courses) throughout the course of your degree, based on the curriculum progression at your university.
I hope that helps.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for all these information. I want to ask, in the research plan must we put reference?
Hi Travis, first of all thank you for your content, it’s been really helpful!
I’d like to ask your opinion about my research goal, I’ve been writing my project about japanese noh theatre, and essentially my goal would be to (after researching specific history and key figures of noh) spread knowledge about the beauty/depth of noh theatre outside Japan, (whether ‘outside’ means my home country or not, but maybe I should mention a focus on my own country?). Noh theatre is not as unknown outside Japan as other form of jp theater, but I still feel like most people associate Japan with anima/manga and food culture, so my goal would be to also give an idea of a more traditional Japan, related to more traditional (but incredibly deep and beautiful) performing arts such as noh.
My question is: would a research goal like that, “spreading awareness (outside Japan) about Japan’s beauty and traditions through a theatre performing art” be considered “acceptable” and give me good chances to make a good impressions with my project? Honestly, given the topic and the humanities/cultural field, I couldn’t think of many other goals outside “spreading knowledge/awareness about X”.
In some ways, this helps both Japan and my home country and helps strengthening their “cultural ties”, or at least I thought about it this way, as you suggested.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Best regards,
Lorenzo
Hi Lorenzo,
Thank you for your kind words.
Spreading awareness would be an “acceptable” goal, but personally, I think it’s rather weak as a MEXT scholarship goal and you would need to do better to be competitive.
Here are a few question to consider:
What, specifically, to you hope to accomplish by spreading awareness of Noh? (What is the desired outcome?)
How do you plan to spread awareness of Noh after graduation? (And yes, specifying where would be important)
Why would spreading awareness of Noh in the target are be the best way to achieve your ultimate desired outcome?
Why are you the best person to do this?
I think the scholarship aims to develop leaders in their fields who can create new knowledge or make unique contributions to society. If you were to study an aspect of Noh to apply what you have learned to traditional theater in your home country, to fuse elements of the two cultures and create a new variation on the art, or to apply some external aspect of Noh (the system of training actors, maintaining troupes, whatever) to another theater form, that would be stronger, in my opinion. And by introducing those elements to theater in different country/culture, it would also increase awareness of Japanese traditional theater while creating something new.
I don’t know if that’s a goal suited to you and your situation, but I encourage you to look for a way that you can contribute by doing something new, original, and with a clear value.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much! One last doubt I had was about the “pratical” goal of the initial period as a research student, in my timeline I wrote that I will aim to publish 1 paper about my research during the 1 year I wanna spend as research student (and then do 2 years of Masters if I can pass the entrance exam), is that enough or should I aim for at least 2 or more papers in 1 year?
Thank you again.
Hi Lorenzo,
I think proposing that you will prepare one paper for publication would be perfectly fine. I would recommend that you set your goal as preparing a paper for publication, not actually publishing it, since the publishing process is out of your hands and can take several months or more from when you submit, depending on your field and the journal in question.
Honestly, in most of the applications I see, applicants focus entirely on the outcomes of their research and the mention of publication and dissemination is, at most, one sentence at the end of the specific research plan, so I do not think it is a particularly important part of your application. It is more important to focus on the details of your research and how you will answer your research question.
I would also add that most applicants do not apply for a distinct research project as a research student then plan to do another research project as a degree student. Usually, it is one research question that goes through the entire MEXT Scholarship time, and the research student period is just added time (necessary, in some cases, to be able to take the entrance exam, etc, after arriving in Japan).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello sir, my name is Karthick. I wanna do masters in psychology in Japanese universities. Is it possible ?
Can I do masters in psychology with the help of MEXT scholarship ?.
Hi Karthik,
If you can find a university in Japan that offers your field of study in a language that you speak, then you can apply to study it under the MEXT Scholarship.
I have an article about how to find Japanese universities that teach your field of study in English that should help to see which universities teach psychology.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Please is the application for the 2023 still opened??
Hi Sulemana Seidu,
The Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application for 2023 has long-since closed, but the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application for 2023 should open this fall.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis, I’ve wondering if i can add bibliography or use academic written works in my own language (spanish) to propose my research, or only english is admited? thank you in advance
Hi Francisco Medina,
There is no problem with using sources written in other languages!
You could even think of it as an advantage, since you are bringing understanding of sources in languages that other researchers at the university might not read.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for your kind reply, I just have a last question and is about university picking. when in choose university only public and nationals universities are admitted trough mext? or i can choose also private universities?
Hi Francisco Medina,
You can also choose private universities. MEXT prefers to place students at national universities because it is cheaper for them, so if you have both national and private universities on your list, there is a chance that they will try to place you at a national university, even if it isn’t your top choice, but many applicants do end up at private universities.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
should the topic be general for research proposal or it will be the research topic in japane???
Hi Abdul Hakeem,
Your research proposal should be for the specific research you want to conduct for your final thesis, so it needs to be specific.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis. I was wondering if is mandatory to include the bibliography in the format? (and if yes) where to put it, I mean, is included in the two pages within or I can put in a third page as an extra?
Hi Francisco Medina,
The bibliography is not necessary, but adding a list of sources can be a useful reference for faculty members when they review your proposal. They should be familiar with works in your field, so if they see that you are referring to the leading scholars in the field, that will be a mark in your favor.
If you include it, I recommend doing it as an attachment, not part of the two pages. Put it on a separate page and title it “Attachment: Bibliography” or something like that.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hey i wanna do masters by course does japanese universities have masters by course??most of them seems like masters by research.
Hi Ahishek,
In almost all cases, Japanese universities require both coursework and research for a Master’s Degree. I am not aware of any programs that do not require capstone research or a practicum, etc.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much Travis for the support, the books helped me a lot It cleared a lot of things and I have all my questions answered
Hi Mahmoud Belkhiria,
Thank you very much for your feedback! That is most encouraging to hear.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, I am requesting for a sample of research plan can I be assisted on that issue??
Hi Philipo,
Unfortunately, I do not have any examples of the FSRPP using the current format. All the people I have found who shared their plans publicly were from years ago when the form was different. Here is one example, though:
http://www.transenzjapan.com/lars/
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello sir, my name is Nii Lantey. I want to apply for the Japanese mext scholarship program. I’m finding it very difficult to understand the process. I am done with the application form. I don’t know if I’m supposed to complete all documents and attach it to the application form and send it.
these documents includes: the application form, health certificates, placement preference form, field research plan. please my question is should I just send the application form after I’m done filling and later if I’m being shortlisted, id be asked to send the remaining documents or I’m supposed to submit everything at the scholarship secretariat in my country at the same time? please this is delaying me, if i can have a response immediately, id really appreciate.
and do you think I’m late since my submission deadline is 31st of may?
thank you.
Hi Nii Lantey GOLIGHTLY,
Have you checked the application instructions on the website of the Japanese embassy in your country?
They should tell you how and when to submit all of the documents. If they do not include specific instructions saying otherwise, then you should assume that all documents must be submitted together by the deadline.
I think that if you do not have all of the documents prepared at this time, it is a little too late to apply this year. In particular, the Field of Study and Research Program Plan usually takes several days of intense work or multiple weeks to write.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Greetings Travis it’s Derick , I have an MBA in accounting and finance, it’s it easy for me to find Admissions for a PhD or for a master’s ? . Thank you
Hi Derick,
It’s really impossible for me to say. It all depends on the quality of your application.
You will need to find a program taught in English, have good grades from your MBA, and write a strong Field of Study and Research Program Plan to have a chance at the scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, I want to ask are their priority countries for the MEXT Scholarship. And if there is, is Nigeria part?
Hi Mubaraq Lawal,
The Japanese government does have a list of priority countries for international programs, including the MEXT Scholarship. You can find the most recent list where I covered the countries here. Nigeria is on the list.
Priority countries are important for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, since universities must nominate at least 75% of their candidates from those countries. It may also impact how many Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship slots are available in each country, too, but I’m not sure.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi thankyou for the information and the support but what I really concern about is how to write an research plan for a masters scholarship I want to do masters in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY but really don’t have an idea about how to write one . Please can you help me with that by sending some example I read earlier one but i think those were for undergraduate . I mean what to write and in which manner
Hi Dhiraj yadav,
Unfortunately, I do not have sample research plans, but I do have a template and guide for what your field of study and research program plan should include.
The book I mention here goes into detail of every step from how to generate your research topic all the way through writing the plan, but if you just need to know what to put in it, check out my article about how to write the field of study and research program plan, here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis ,
I am preparing for mext in the field of physics. I am Currently pursuing my bachelors in physics , which is going to get completed in next year. So should I apply as a research student or Master student ? I know I would get one year for my thesis work and japanese language , but would you suggest me to for research student , because I need to complete my Masters also . Is research student have a 100 chance to get into masters , or Master program is more safe ? Please do answer quickly because I have only 13 days left
Hi Lipshit Dash,
I usually recommend starting as a research student then extending your scholarship to your degree after you arrive in Japan. While it is not 100% guaranteed that the extension would be approved, the only times I have seen applicants struggle was if they were really terrible students as research students so their university did not want to support their extension or if they could not pass the entrance exam (though in that case, it would have been impossible to start as a degree student, anyway!).
When you fill in your preference in the application form, it is just your preference, the universities that accept you will decide how to accept you in the Letter of Acceptance.
If you apply as a research student, I recommend that your FSRPP cover your time both as a research student and as a degree student in one research plan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Sir. and Good evening Sir.
I want to ask you abou the Field of Study and Research Plan especially the rule about ” (3) This sheet must be created within two pages”. Can i erase the guide ? do the first page count ? since i has a litte bit long study plan so i try to write it using two columns, is it okay to write it like this ?.
Hi Muhammad Salim Makmur,
Unfortunately, you cannot delete the instructions and that does count toward your two-page limit. However, I have never seen a proposal that really needed more than that amount of space to make the point.
I have never seen a proposal written in columns – I would think that would actually reduce the amount of space you have to work with, since there are more margins – but there is no particular rule against it that I am aware of.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello sir, thank you for replying, and thank you again for your book. It helps me a lot to finish my application.
Dear Muhammad,
I am Samuel from Ghana. I am also trying to apply for the MEXT Scholarship. Can you kindly send me the book on how to successfully apply for the MEXT Scholarship?
Hi Samuel,
I don’t think Muhammad has the book to send you. But if you are interested in my books on preparing for the MEXT Scholarship application, you can find all the information to order them yourself (or ask your university library to do it, so that you can read them for free!) on this page.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz