Need help with your Field of Study and Research Program Plan? How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Field of Study and Research Program Plan will walk you through choosing a field, developing a research question, and completing the final report to give you the best chance of success!
Field of Study and Research Program Plan for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship
MEXT updated the format of the Field of Study and Research Program Plan for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship in April 2019. The University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship still uses the format described below, but if you are applying for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship Application process, you can find information about that version here. Both versions contain the same content, it’s just organized differently and there are different limitations in place regarding the form itself.
The Field of Study and Research Program Plan is the single-most important part of your MEXT Scholarship application at the graduate level. Whether you’re applying for a research student status, Master’s Degree, or PhD, this is the single most important element that you have any control over. I’ve discussed that in a previous article, but I constantly get people asking for more details, so here it is.
So, it’s understandable that most applicants get more anxious about this form and what it should include than anything else in the application process.
Downloading the Form
First things first: If you don’t have the original form yet, the links below are direct to the files on MEXT’s website, so you can download it without having to puzzle through their Japanese website:
- Embassy-recommended MEXT Application, 2019 Edition
- University-recommended MEXT Application, 2019 Edition
Purpose of the Field of Study and Research Program Plan
In Japan, the Field of Study and Research Program Plan (研究計画書 kenkyukeikakusho) is part of any graduate school application, regardless of MEXT scholarship. There is a set format and elements that Japanese universities are looking for.
As a foreigner, you wouldn’t necessarily be expected to know all of the elements of the Field of Study and Research Program Plan, but if you do hit them, you’re going to stand out in a good way.
I’ve researched several universities’ guidelines for what they’re looking for, professors’ blogs, and prep school websites to put together the elements below. I hope they help. (My sources are available at the bottom of the article, but they’re all in Japanese).
Disclaimer: This is all only my own research and conclusions. It has not been formally vetted by any MEXT officials, Embassy staff, or grad school admissions committees, yet.
Field of Study and Research Program Plan: Formatting Notes
As of the 2018 application, the format for the Embassy-recommended MEXT Scholarship application and University-recommended MEXT Scholarship application are different, so I’ll keep the differences straight as much as possible below.
Font Size: The default font size in the Field of Study and Research Program Plan that you download from the MEXT website is 7.5 pt, which is ridiculously small and unreadable. Feel free to change it to a reasonable Times New Roman 12 pt.
Titles and Formatting: Feel free to format your Field of Study and Research Program Plan to make it more readable. I recommend titling each of the sections mentioned below and breaking it into paragraphs to make it easy on the professors. Nobody likes a big old wall of text.
If you have to add extra pages to account for the formatting, that’s OK. But don’t go overboard.
Tables, Graphs, and Diagrams: If they add to the document and are necessary to answer the questions below, go ahead and include them. But again, keep it within reason.
References: Include a list of references on an attached page. I’ll get to it below, but it’s a good thing to have.
Completing the Field of Study and Research Program Plan
1. Present Field of Study
This question previously only existed in the Field of Study and Research Program Plan format for the Embassy-recommended application process, but was added to the form for the University-recommended MEXT application process in 2018.
Research Background
Recommended Heading: Research Background
Recommended Length: 3-4 sentences
Recommended Content: Describe what you have researched in the past that led to your interest in the topic you will pursue in Japan. Since MEXT requires that you study a topic that you majored in in the past, this is your opportunity to show the connection.
Make sure that you describe your interest in terms of what it will contribute to the field. This is not a personal statement. “I am interested in microfinance because my family was poor” is not a good explanation. “Based on my past research into microfinance in developing countries, I think a systematic examination of the impact of microfinance-supported entrepreneurial ventures in former agricultural areas of developed countries has impacted population movements and rural revitalization is necessary to apply effective practices both in Japan and abroad” is better.
To strengthen the statement above, you could go into more detail about why your research would be beneficial to the field in general, perhaps with an emphasis on how it could dovetail with your desired advisor’s research.
2. Your Research Topic in Japan
This section is where you will cover the academic aspect of your research (as opposed to the practical process of research, which we’ll get to later).
Research Title
Recommended Heading: None. Simply center the text at the top of this section.
Recommended Length: Title and Subtitle, like it would be on a completed thesis.
Recommended Content: This is your sales copy. It needs to grab attention so your reviewers read further.
The main title is your overall theme and the subtitle is how exactly you plan to study it. For example:
The Contribution of ‘Outsider’ Expertise to Rural Revitalization Projects: An Exploration of the Yuzu Industry in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture
(JAIST)
You are not locked into using this title. Like almost everything else in your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, it will probably change once you begin your research under your advisor. But it’s still important to have a solid idea at this stage.
Detailed Theme
Recommended Heading: Research Theme
Recommended Length: One-two sentences
Recommended Content: This should take a format like “I intend to research [SPECIFIC FIELD] from [METHOD] perspective in order to [OUTCOME].” It does not need to be exact, but it does need to cover those elements.
It is important to include the intended outcome of your research. Research itself is not the goal – you should have something you intend to accomplish through it. Returning to JAIST’s example from the previous section:
This study will elucidate how specialist knowledge held by outsiders to rural revitalization projects can contribute to those projects, by examining the example of Yuzu farmers in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture’s contributions to local efforts by way of surveys and interviews, in order to advance the effectiveness of rural revitalization projects across Japan.
(JAIST)
Yes, the original Japanese is a horrible run-on sentence.
Previous Research in the Field
Recommended Heading: Previous Research
Recommended Length: Two-three sentences
Recommended Content: Describe the research that exists in the field and past approaches briefly.
This should be concise and just enough to establish that you understand the state of the field. If you can state “It is generally accepted in the field that . . .” or cite the prevailing theory with an author, that’s perfect. (Make sure that author makes it into your references).
Problems with the Previous Research
Recommended Heading: Problems in the Field
Recommended Length: Two-four sentences
Recommended Content: Evaluate the past research in terms of problems or opportunities for further exploration. Don’t be harsh or overly critical, but point out conflicts in research, examples that have not been fully explored that could alter understanding of the field, etc. Make sure you also discuss how your research will contribute to solving the problems you identify.
This section is where you establish how your research will be original.
Research Goal/Outcome
Recommended Heading: Research Goals
Recommended Length: One to two paragraphs
Recommended Content: Your first paragraph should cover the research question you intend to answer and how – an expansion of your detailed research theme. The second paragraph should outline the possible academic and practical benefits of your research.
Remember that not everyone is an expert in your field, so try to keep the jargon out of it. You want your research to have value outside of your narrow field, so you have to be able to describe that to non-exerts.
When discussing the benefits, it would be beneficial to mention specifically how they apply to Japan, your home country, and/or bringing the two closer together.
Page 2: Study Program in Japan
Your research program plan should be a detailed, step-by-step description of how you will go about the research you described in the previous section. This is where you establish that your research is viable, especially given the time restraints of your degree.
Research Approach Introduction
Recommended Heading: Research Approach
Recommended Length: 2 paragraphs
Recommended Content: In the first paragraph, explain your research methodology (theoretical, statistical, etc.) in 2-3 sentences and why you chose this method in another 2-3 sentences.
In the second, shorter paragraph, describe how you expect your method to solve your research problem.
Specific Research Plan
Recommended Heading: Research Timeline
Recommended Length: Table/timeline long enough to cover the content below
Recommended Content: Detailed explanations of the steps you will go through in your research program (2 years for Masters, 3 for PhD).
For each step, you want to go into detail. So, “literature review” is not sufficient. What kind of sources do you plan to review? They should be in your references section already.
This is also a good place to mention specific coursework you want to take (and why), especially if you have your goal narrowed down to a single university or there are similar courses at each of your target universities.
If you plan to do field research (and you absolutely should) then “collect examples” is not enough detail. You should propose a more specific approach, including the type of examples, where you will get them, and why that approach is best. For example, are you going to do a survey study or interviews? Where? Why?
One Keio professor mentioned in his blog that he expects his advisees to do field research twice during their degree. For example, students would do a survey study first then return later for interviews to go into more detail, or do field studies in two places for comparison purposes.
Your Research Program Plan is a strategy, not a concrete plan. You are not locked in to doing things exactly this way, but having a solid plan at this point makes you look like a more responsible and dedicated applicant.
Attachment: References
This isn’t a section of the form, but you should attach a list of references nonetheless.
Include all the books you read while preparing your Field of Study and Research Program Plan as well as the books and articles they led you to that you intend to read in the future.
List your references in alphabetical order, using the format most common to your field of study.
Sources
I put this article together based on several Japanese faculty blogs, university websites, and prep school pages. You can find those sources below:
How to Research and Craft a Research Plan
http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/nifongo/keikaku/index.html
KALS Graduate School Application Prep School application advice article
http://www.kals.jp/graduate-sch/pln/
Keio University Professor’s Blog
http://cce-cmkt-tpro.sfc.keio.ac.jp/tajima_lab/inframe/sonota/01.htm
JAIST (Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) Application Advice Page
http://www.jaist.ac.jp/~as-asami/exam_research_plan/exam_research_plan.html
Study Channel Research Plan Writing Guide
http://www.study-channel.com/2015/07/research-plan.html
Five Steps to Writing a Lousy Research Plan (University of Tokyo Professor’s Blog)
http://www.nakahara-lab.net/2013/05/post_2004.html
Questions?
Before asking any questions in the comments, below, I recommend reading through the Field of Study and Research Program Plan FAQ. You can ask your questions in the comments here, on the FAQ page, or by email and I will answer them by updating the FAQ and letting you know when the answers are available.
For tips on getting your questions answered faster (and an explanation as to why I can’t always answer quickly), please read the MEXT Scholarship Application FAQ top page.
I’d also recommend signing up for my mailing list, below, to get notified whenever I have updates to any of the FAQs or new articles about the MEXT scholarship!
Ads by Google:
Hi Travis,
Thank you for offering such detailed advice and guides on this blog – they have been an immense help throughout my MEXT application process. As someone without advanced Japanese proficiency, I am writing to ask a question regarding the research plan: what are some common strategies to overcome language barriers in research interviews/accessing information, especially for field-specific terminologies? Is it reasonable to write about hiring a translator who is fluent in English and familiar with the field through connecting with the university’s library or one’s supervisor? What other strategies will you recommend?
Many thanks in advance!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your kind words!
If you are not fluent in Japanese, then I recommend trying to find a university that teaches the degree that you want to follow in English.
If they offer the degree in English, then your advisor will be able to speak English, including technical terms related to the field (if you want to be doubly sure, then make sure you select an advisor who has experience publishing in English, too). The university library should also have, or be able to obtain, any necessary resources in English.
The only time I can think of that you might need to avail yourself of a translator or interpreter would be during fieldwork, if necessary for your field, such as interviews. For written documentation, the Google Translate app is pretty good, but I’ll admit that I haven’t tried it for anything more technical than Japanese government documents. For interpretation, you might be able to work with another student in your lab/program with the necessary language ability and trade favors.
Honestly, most of the research proposals I see that include interviews don’t discuss how they are going to overcome the language barrier at all (though I usually recommend they think about it before the interview).
I hope that helps.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis, thank you for all the helpful information you’ve provided concerning the MEXT Scholarship. I am learning a lot. My question is: in the PDF document in how to apply for the MEXT Scholarship, there is a section that outlines the documents to be provided. It is also indicated that a certain number of copies of some documents are to be provided. Does this mean that I should provided three filled-out application forms, three copies of my Research Plan etc. when I am submitting my application?
Hi Vanessa,
That’s right. You need to submit one original and two copies. For documents like the Application Form and Field of Study and Research Program Plan, where there is no difference between and original and a copy, that basically means three copies. For documents like your transcript, one would have to be an original (or certified copy) and the other two could be photocopies.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you Travis! Last question please, is it alright if my transcripts are all original copies? Will it affect my application in any way? I made copies of my certificate because we are only given one original but for my transcripts they are all original certified copies. Thanks Travis.
Hi Vanessa,
That shouldn’t be a problem. I can’t imagine a situation where they would say, “No, we can’t accept originals, only copies are good enough.” 🙂
They might tell you that it wasn’t necessary to submit originals for the others, but that should be about it!
If you’re worried, you could keep the two extra originals and just make photocopies of one of them.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I’m not quite sure about what to write in the field of study section of the research plan.
I have a degree in system engineering and my degree project was a gamified e-health application, but the topic I want to investigate now in Japan is related to deep learning. However, I have never done research in deep learning and I don’t know how to explain the relationship between my interest in that topic and my research background.
Could you give me some suggestions?
I would also like to ask if you think it is a good idea to write the research plan in both English and Japanese. Since the official language at the graduated school of the university I want to apply to is English, I think writing it in english is enough. But it’s stated to write in Japanese if I have enough Japanese language ability, which I do have, and I thought it might be an opportunity to stand out from other applicants. What do you think?
Thank you so much for your time
HI Quismagi,
I’m afraid I’m not familiar enough with your fields of study to be able to give any detailed suggestions as to how you could connect them. Is there something in the gamified e-health app that motivated you to study deep learning, for example to investigate something that you couldn’t solve yet? Even if the fields are not directly connected, if you are the new research topic to explore an interest that grew out of the last one, that could be a connection.
I recommend that you write your FSRPP in the language that you plan to pursue your degree in. I would only recommend writing it in Japanese if you are going to study in Japanese or, maybe, if you feel you can write just as fluently and clearly in Japanese as in English. A poorly-written Japanese plan would probably not be helpful to your application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hay travis!
I am in final year of my high school, can I apply for mext scholarship as an undergraduate for 2023?
Hi Aayush,
As long as you will graduate from high school before the end of March 2023, you can apply this year. (The scholarship would start in April 2023, so you would need to be finished with your degree and ready to go to Japan at that point).
However, at this point, I think the application deadline for 2023 has already passed in most countries, so you’ll want to check the dates with the Japanese embassy in your area.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Trevor.
It seems the 2022/23 research plan and field of study forms don’t have a ”previous research” and ”problems with previous research” field(s) . Does that mean we shouldn’t include them? My embassies deadline is 27th Jun and I’m hoping to start in April 2023.
Many thanks
Thabang
Hi Thabang,
Sorry I wasn’t clear enough in the article. “Previous Research” and “Problems with Previous Research” were never part of the official form. However, those are topics that you would be expected to cover in a research proposal, so I suggest adding those headers yourself to the appropriate section of your FSRPP.
By the way, this article is about the FSRPP for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship. The FSRPP for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship is different and I have a separate article about that form, so I recommend checking that one!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I wanted to ask you about “problems with the previous research”, so under this heading is the previous research done by other researchers or the previous research by the candidate should be included?
Thank you
Hi Sahar,
“Problems” with the previous research should refer to the field as a whole, not research by the candidate. And you should avoid criticizing past researchers, just point out where research has not yet been conducted, or where there is no conclusion and more research is required.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, thank you so much for your information!
I am applying to mext this year, and for my consulate general, the deadline is in the first week of June.
Which means I have about 2weeks to prepare, but I haven’t contacted any professors yet.
I know this is a silly question, but do you think it’s too late to email them?
Thank you so much for your help.
Hi Stella,
It isn’t mandatory to contact professors prior to the embassy’s deadline. You should certainly research them and decide what professors you want to study under to fill in the Placement Preference Form, but with only two weeks, I don’t think it makes much sense to contact them at this point. You can wait until after you pass the Primary Screening and then contact them when it is time to apply for a Letter of Provisional Acceptance.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis thanks a lot for the work you are doing and i cannot get enough of what you always provide. My exact question is i did write a thesis about soil contamination and pollution brought about by Petroleum drilling in an oilfield in China. Now i am in my home country and want to conduct exact similar soil pollution research in Japan now how do i get to know the practical areas to conduct research in Japan while i am drafting the plan and i have never set foot in Japan?
I wish to conduct this research in relation to my own country which is fast growing in petroleum drilling but it will be better suited in Japan
Hi Kambesha,
It sounds like you need to do some more research on the state of soil contamination in Japan. If you refer to current research in the field, you should be able to find sources that show the practical areas to conduct research in Japan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis.
My university graduation thesis supervisor said that, my thesis’ quality is good enough to be used as Master Degree thesis. In more correct way, the methodology, data, etc.. used is way above university level. The only problem is it lacks details since I only have 4 months to write thesis.
I found his Master Degree thesis done in Keio Univ., and it was almost the same as mine.
Now I plan to reuse the research theme and methodology, collect and analyze more data and use it for my research plan for MEXT. In short term, bring my university graduation thesis to its full power as my supervisor said and use it for MEXT. However I got a problem, in which I may got refused in document screening when they see my previous research and planned is almost the same.
I want to tell them that the theme may look the same, but there will be much more detail into it, and my supervisor said that it can be qualified for Master Degree. How can I tell them that in this research plan document?
(I know that I can tell them in the interview, but it will be nothing if I can’t make it to the interview)
Hi SK,
When you describe your past research and your research plan in Japan, you need to establish the difference in the two research projects. Of course, you can’t just write up the same research again in more detail, even if it was Master’s quality. Your plan should include all new research to be conducted during your Master’s Degree. If you can show that you will be doing all new research as a MEXT scholar, and explain in the “Past and Present Field of Study” that you conducted similar research in undergrad and want to do additional research to further explore an area of the topic, then there should be no issues with the two research projects being related.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for your reply. I want to ask one more thing please.
Is there any chance I will get rejected by the university if my research theme does not match their style? (There are professors there that can supervise my theme)
I plan to apply to Waseda University, and my supervisor said that I should change research theme to match their style. However doing so my theme will contribute nothing to the connection between two countries, which does not suit MEXT’s vision.
Hi SK,
Yes, there is a good chance that the university will reject your application for a Letter of Provisional Acceptance if the faculty member is not willing to supervise your research. I’m not sure what you mean by style, but if the faculty member has told you to change your research approach in order for them to supervise you, then you should choose between changing it or applying to a different professor/university. Do not expect the professor to accept your application if they told you to change it and you didn’t!
If you really want to work with that professor, then try to be creative in coming up with a way that the revised research proposal will contribute to Japan, your country, or the relationship between the two.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis,
Thanks for all your effort in guiding us through this process, it’s so so helpful! I’ve a pretty silly question – do I have to mention expected results of my research in field of study and research plan? (or are goals of research enough?)
Hi Prathyusha,
You should mention the expected impact of your research and your goals, but in most fields, it is not necessary to mention your expected results or hypothesis. As long as you can describe the data you will obtain and how you will analyze it to answer your research question, that should be enough.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good day sir!
Greetings with peace! can I ask if is it okay to transfer to another university within our country when you are applying to mext? I am currently a freshman at a university but I want to transfer to a university nearby.
thank you so much for big help.
Hi Melanie,
If you are expecting to leave your home country next April to start your MEXT Scholarship, then it seems like a lot of effort to change universities in your home country, when you’re just going to drop out, anyway. But there is no rule against it! There should be no problem with your application if you transfer during the application process. Just be sure that you can give the reviewers a good reason for the transfer if they ask.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much sir! <3 I want to transfer to a university just within our city because I have no assurance to pass the Specialized Training College but this is a preparation if im going to apply again for thank you so much <3