Applications for the KUT Special Scholarship Program 2026 in Japan are being accepted. The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) is open to all international students. Candidates may apply for this grant overseas if they wish to pursue a doctoral degree program.
For the 2026 academic year, the Kochi University of Technology (KUT) has formally opened its extremely competitive worldwide Special Scholarship Programme (SSP), asking highly qualified international candidates to apply for full financial aid doctoral research seats in engineering. This esteemed program offers fully funded PhD scholarships with large monthly stipends, tuition price waivers, and relocation aid in addition to top-notch research opportunities in English.
In 1997, the Japanese prefectural institution Kochi Institute of Technology was founded. The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) is a three-year PhD program offered by KUT’s Graduate School of Engineering. It was created especially to allow exceptional overseas students to conduct cutting-edge research under the supervision of KUT faculty members. Candidates must have a master’s degree or be pursuing one, and they must be under 35.
Details of KUT Special Scholarship Program in Japan
| University: | Kochi University of Technology |
| Degree Level: | PhD |
| Scholarship coverage: | Fully Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award country: | Japan |
| Last date: | 17 October 2025 |
Read Also: Toyohashi University of Technology MEXT Scholarship in Japan
Financial Benefits
The KUT Special Scholarship Program for 2026 offers comprehensive financial support for international students. The scholarship covers the following benefits:
Direct Financial Support
- Monthly Stipend: A monthly payment of 150,000 yen is provided for living expenses for up to three years.
- Relocation Allowance: A one-time payment of 150,000 yen is given to assist with travel and initial expenses for students coming from outside Japan.
Academic Fee Waivers
- Tuition Waiver: The program includes a full tuition waiver, which amounts to 535,800 yen per year.
- Fee Waivers: All enrollment and examination fees, totaling up to 315,000 yen, are waived.
Documents Required
Here is a comprehensive and well-structured list of the documents needed for the KUT Special Scholarship Program based on the information supplied.
Academic and Professional Documents
- Transcripts & Degree Certificates: Copies of your academic records and degree certificates. A verified translation must be supplied if the originals are not in Japanese or English.
- An explanation of your university’s or other educational institution’s grading system is provided in this page.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): a thorough CV or resume that highlights your academic and professional background, ideally in the Europass format.
- Proof of English Proficiency: Official records attesting to your command of the English language, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or a comparable certification.
- A letter of recommendation is an endorsement from a professional or academic who can vouch for your credentials and moral fiber.
Application-Specific Documents
- Prior to application Verification: An assurance from a potential Kochi University of Technology (KUT) academic supervisor that they are open to overseeing your study.
- Motivation Letter: A two-page, signed, and dated letter outlining your research interests and the reasons you are applying for the award.
Personal Identification
- Valid Passport or National ID: A copy of your valid passport or national ID card for identification purposes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Requirement: You must hold a master’s degree already or be working toward one. This is the same as having finished eighteen years of school.
- Age Requirement: When you formally enroll in the program, you must be 35 years of age or younger.
- Academic and Research Skills: A solid academic background and demonstrated research abilities are prerequisites.
- English Language Proficiency: You must provide results from one of the following examinations to prove your proficiency in the language:
- TOEFL iBT: A score of 72 or higher.
- IELTS: A score of 5.5 or higher.
- A comparable score on another officially recognized English proficiency test.
How to Apply
Step 1: Pre-Application and Supervisor Approval
The first and most important phase is to secure the approval of a potential supervisor.
- Find a Supervisor: You must first find a supervisor from the official SSP Supervisor List on the Kochi University of Technology (KUT) website. This list outlines the research projects and the corresponding professors who are accepting SSP students.
- Submit the Pre-Application Form: You are required to submit an online pre-application form to up to two supervisors. It is strongly recommended to submit this form at least eight weeks before the formal application deadline to allow enough time for review and communication.
- Wait for a Response: A supervisor will review your pre-application. As stated, if you do not receive a response within two weeks, you should consider your request as having been refused.
- Receive Approval: Only if a supervisor agrees to proceed with your application can you move on to the next step. Without their explicit approval, you cannot submit a formal application.
Step 2: Formal Application Submission
Once you have secured a supervisor’s approval, you can prepare and submit the complete application package.
- Gather Required Documents: Assemble all the required documents, which include your signed motivation letter, Europass-format CV, degree certificates, transcripts, proof of English proficiency, a letter of recommendation, and a copy of your passport.
- Complete the Formal Application: You will submit the complete application online via the university’s designated portal.
- Deadline: The final application deadline for the April/October 2026 intake is October 17, 2025. It is imperative that your complete application package, including all required documents, be submitted before this date.
Conclusion
The 2026 Kochi University of Technology (KUT) Special Scholarship Program (SSP) offers international candidates a fantastic chance to study engineering for a Ph.D. in Japan with full funding. By providing a substantial monthly income, full tuition exemptions, and a one-time relocation payment, the program aims to draw in top talent. The highly organized application procedure starts with a crucial pre-application stage in which applicants must get a possible supervisor’s approval from a predetermined list of open projects. The program is a great choice for highly driven people who fit the age, educational, and language competency requirements because of its emphasis on research and its thorough and transparent application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key eligibility criteria for this scholarship?
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of enrollment, hold a master’s degree or be on track to complete one, have a strong academic record, and demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 72 or IELTS score of 5.5
Do I need a supervisor’s approval before applying?
Yes, securing the approval of a KUT faculty supervisor is the most important first step of the application process. You must submit a pre-application form and receive their explicit permission to proceed with the formal application. Without supervisor approval, your application will not be considered
