PhD Scholarships in Japan for ASEAN Students 2027 (3 Funded Options) Opportunity type

Japan is one of the best places in Asia to do a PhD, with world-class universities, strong research funding and close ties to Southeast Asia. Here are three funded PhD routes for students from ASEAN countries for 2027.

1. AUN/SEED-Net PhD Scholarship in Japan

The ASEAN University Network / Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net), supported by Japan's JICA, funds PhD study at top Japanese universities in engineering, science, technology and innovation.

What it covers:

• All tuition and examination fees
• A monthly living allowance of ¥117,000–148,000
• Round-trip airfare to Japan
• Outfit and moving allowances
• Up to ¥360,000 a year for research

Who can apply:

• Citizens of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam
• Faculty, staff or outstanding students of an AUN/SEED-Net member university
• A master's degree (or finishing one before departure)
• 35 or younger on arrival in Japan
• Strong English, and no other scholarship

How to apply: contact your university's international office or AUN/SEED-Net coordinator to get nominated, then submit your documents (transcripts, English test results and a commitment letter). Recent calls closed in late November to mid-December, for study starting the following autumn.

2. MEXT (Japanese Government) Scholarship

The MEXT Scholarship is Japan's main government scholarship and is open to students from every ASEAN country.

What it covers:

• Full tuition
• A monthly allowance
• Round-trip airfare

Two ways to apply:

• Embassy recommendation: apply through the Japanese embassy in your country. Applications usually open around April.
• University recommendation: apply directly to a Japanese university that offers MEXT places. Deadlines vary by university.

Tip: contact a Japanese professor in your field early. A supervisor's support makes a big difference.

3. JAIF PhD Scholarship at Vietnam Japan University

The Japan–ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) is funding new scholarships at Vietnam Japan University (VJU) in Hanoi, part of Vietnam National University, including PhD study for the first time.

What it covers:

• Full scholarships (tuition, airfare to Vietnam and living costs, for three years of PhD study) for students from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leste
• Tuition support for Vietnamese students
• Internships in Japan (about 1.5 months) for selected students

Note: this PhD is studied in Vietnam, with an internship in Japan. There are four intakes between 2026 and 2029, so check VJU's website for the next deadline.

Tips for all applicants

• Start now. The AUN/SEED-Net deadline is usually in November or December.
• Find a supervisor in Japan whose research matches yours, and email them a short research proposal.
• Prepare your English test (IELTS or TOEFL) early.
• Applying is free. Never pay anyone who promises a Japanese scholarship.