Call for Applications: ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme (Fully Funded)

ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme (Fully Funded)

Application Process | Enrollment in April 2026

If you are looking to study medicine in Japan with a fully funded scholarship, this is a fantastic opportunity. The ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme is currently open. This webpage provides a detailed overview of this scholarship, its benefits and requirements, and the step-by-step application process.

The ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme is a fully funded medical scholarship programme for students from ASEAN Member States (AMS), managed and sponsored by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan. This merit-based scholarship is available exclusively for undergraduate medical students. It covers full tuition fees, living expenses, and airfare.

The ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme aims to raise medical standards, reduce health disparities, expand educational opportunities, and ultimately foster a diverse and collaborative healthcare environment across ASEAN. It offers AMS undergraduate students the opportunity to study medicine at Japanese medical schools, preparing them to become leading doctors or public health experts.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate
• Institutions: Japanese medical schools
• Host Country: Japan
• Course Offered: Medicine
• Programme Period: 6 years (followed by 2 years of paid initial clinical training in Japan)
• Application Deadline: 14 October 2025

Scholarship Coverage

• Tuition and admission fees
• Living expenses
• Return airfare between home country and Japan
• Textbooks

Eligibility Criteria

• Required Language: English
• Eligible Countries: ASEAN Member States
• Eligible Universities and Faculties: Medical students from faculties of medicine at selected ASEAN universities
• Eligible Students: First/second year undergraduate medical students

How to Apply

1. Fill out the application form.
2. Prepare academic transcripts and degree certificates.
3. Prepare an essay.
4. Prepare an English proficiency test certificate (optional).
5. Prepare a recommendation letter.
6. Submit your application to ERIA.
7. ERIA will shortlist and interview candidates.
8. ERIA will notify the results via email.

Required Documents for the ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme (Enrolment in April 2026)

1. Application form

• Download from ERIA’s website (please scroll down to the bottom of the page).

2. Academic transcripts and degree certificates

• High school academic transcript verified with official stamps
• First-year undergraduate academic transcripts verified with official stamps
• Note: If the transcripts are not in English, provide a certified English translation.

3. Essay

• Download the template from ERIA’s website (please scroll down to the bottom of the page).
• Your essay should describe:
  • Your purpose of studying in Japan.
  • Why you believe you qualify for the scholarship by articulating the following:
    • Your knowledge of the health system in your country and your contribution if you are a medical doctor.
    • Your achievement, leadership, and teamwork skills in academic and extracurricular settings.
    • A brief plan for your medical doctor’s study and future career after graduation.
• Must be less than 1,000 words

4. One recommendation letter from the faculty of your university
5. English proficiency certificate (optional)

Applicable Host University (as of September 2025)

• International University of Health and Welfare, Japan

Timeline

• 29 September 2025: Application opens for the scholarship
• 14 October 2025: Application deadline
• 15–17 October 2025: ERIA’s application review period:
• 20–24 October 2025: Interview with ERIA (online)
• 27–31 October 2025: Announcement of selected applicants

Terms and Conditions

• The scholarship covers tuition and admissions fees for a Bachelor of Medical Studies degree and Japanese language programme, living expenses, textbooks, and return airfare.
• Living expenses of ¥120,000 per month include dormitory fees, meal allowance, and healthcare insurance premium.
• Students must remain enrolled in the programme as specified in the Letter of Offer issued by the Japanese university.
• A medical checkup result is required after passing the selection.
• Students must be enrolled full-time to receive the scholarship.
• In the event of withdrawal, cancellation, repetition of a year, or any other situation in which students are unable to continue their studies in Japan, unless formally approved due to unavoidable circumstance such as illness, students must refund all scholarships they have received, including those directly transferred to Japanese universities.
• To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must pass all courses in the determined period of study and progress successfully thereafter.
• Deferral of the scholarship is not permitted.
• Upon completion of the postgraduate mandatory rotating residency training, students shall return to their respective home countries and undertake employment at a location designated by ERIA for the duration of the obligatory term of service, which shall be seven (7) years in principle. Students may pursue postgraduate studies in Japan, subject to prior approval by both ERIA and the relevant Japanese university. For the avoidance of doubt, the period spent undertaking postgraduate sudies shall not be counted towards the obligatory term of service.
• Students shall comply with all other relevant rules and regulations.

Please ensure you download and use the official templates provided below.

1. ERIA AJMSP Application Form

2. ERIA AJMSP Essay Template