YBB – Applications are now open for the INPEX Scholarship 2027, a fully funded scholarship for Indonesian students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in Natural Sciences and related STEM fields in Japan. The scholarship is provided by the INPEX Scholarship Foundation and offers financial support and other study-related benefits.
The program is aimed at outstanding young Indonesians who are interested in pursuing advanced study and research in Japan while contributing to stronger relations between Indonesia and Japan.
INPEX Scholarship 2027 Overview
- Host Country: Japan
- Degree Level: Master’s Degree
- Field: Natural Sciences and related STEM fields
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Eligibility: Indonesian citizens
- Age Requirement: Under 30 years old
- Application Period: August 1 – October 31, 2026
- Study Period: Up to 2 years and 8 months
About INPEX Scholarship Foundation
The INPEX Scholarship Foundation is a public interest incorporated foundation established in March 1981 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the founding of Indonesia Petroleum Ltd., the predecessor of INPEX Corporation.
The Foundation aims to promote mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and other countries by supporting outstanding young people who wish to study in Japan or Japanese students who wish to study abroad. It also promotes youth exchange between Japan and other countries.
With more than 40 years of experience, the Foundation initially focused on student exchange between Indonesia and Japan before expanding its scholarship support to Australia and the United Arab Emirates in 2023. As of March 2026, the Foundation has supported 159 international students and 79 Japanese students.
Since 2025, the Foundation has also introduced an Exchange Student Scholarship Program and the ISF International Exchange Program to further support international student exchange.
Also read: MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship 2027 at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Round-trip economy-class airfare
- Monthly allowance of ¥160,000
- Arrival allowance
- Japanese language preparation program
- Conference expenses
Note: One of the advantages of the scholarship is that applicants are not strictly required to submit IELTS or TOEFL if they can fulfill the applicable Japanese language requirement. However, providing an English or Japanese language certificate is highly recommended.
Eligible Fields of Study
The scholarship is available for master’s-level study and research in Natural Sciences and related STEM fields, including:
- Science: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geology, Geophysics, Marine Science, and Environmental Science
- Engineering: Petroleum Engineering, Mining, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Metallurgy, and related fields
- Agriculture: Agricultural Science, Agrotechnology, Forestry, Animal Science, Fisheries, Food Technology, and Agricultural Biotechnology
- Medicine and Health: Medicine, Biomedical Science, Nutrition, Nursing, and Public Health
- Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Science, Clinical Pharmacy, and Community Pharmacy
- Architecture: Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, and Built Environment Design
- Other related pure and applied science fields that support the development of future technologies
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be an Indonesian citizen
- Be under 30 years old at the time of application
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a STEM-related field
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00
- Intend to pursue a master’s degree and research in Natural Sciences or related fields
- Have an interest in strengthening relations between Indonesia and Japan
- Be willing to contribute to the promotion of Indonesia-Japan relations
- Not be receiving another scholarship or similar financial support
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed and signed application form
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from a Japanese university
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Medical check-up results
- English language certificate, such as TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS
- Japanese language certificate, if available
- Photograph
How to Apply
The application process consists of several steps:
- Find a prospective supervisor in Japan. Identify a Japanese university and professor whose research area matches your proposed study.
- Contact the professor. Discuss your research plan and seek an LoA or a letter confirming the professor’s willingness to supervise your research.
- Download the official application form and guidelines from the INPEX Scholarship Foundation.
- Complete the application form in English and prepare all supporting documents.
- Combine the required documents into PDF files and ensure that the total attachment size does not exceed 20 MB per email.
- Send the application by email to the official Foundation address before the deadline. Cloud storage links such as Google Drive or OneDrive are not accepted.
- Use the required email subject format: “2027 Scholarship Application (Your Name)”.
- Shortlisted candidates will proceed to the interview stage.
Selection Process
The selection process consists of document screening and interviews.
Document Screening
The screening process will take place in November 2026. Applicants will be assessed based on their academic background, suitability of their STEM field, research proposal, communication with a prospective Japanese supervisor, and language ability.
A strong research proposal should have a clear academic foundation, realistic methodology, and potential contribution to the development of science and technology.
Interview
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview between December 2026 and January 2027.
The interview may assess:
- Understanding of the proposed research
- Research methodology and expected contribution
- Motivation for studying in Japan
- Commitment to Indonesia-Japan relations
- Adaptability and readiness to live and study in Japan
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: August 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
- Document Screening: November 2026
- Interview: December 2026 – January 2027
- First Selection Announcement: Mid-February 2027
- Final Announcement: End of March 2027
Conclusion
The INPEX Scholarship 2027 provides Indonesian students with an opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in Japan while developing their academic and research expertise in STEM-related fields. The program can be a strong opportunity for students planning to continue their studies in Japan.
Make sure to prepare the required documents and submit your application before October 31, 2026.
