NAIROBI, Kenya— The Government of Japan has opened applications for the 2026 Teacher Training Students Scholarship, offering Kenyan teachers an opportunity to pursue professional development in Japan under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
In a notice issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kenya, the application window for eligible Kenyan teachers runs from December 2025 to February 2026, with submissions closing on Friday, February 8, 2026, at 4:30 pm.
The scholarship targets practising teachers seeking advanced training in education systems, teaching methods, and classroom management in Japan.
Successful applicants are expected to travel to Japan between September and October 2026, with the programme running until March 2028, depending on the assigned training course.
Under the scholarship, beneficiaries will receive a monthly stipend of approximately Sh192,000 (143,000 Japanese Yen), subject to minor regional variations.
The Japanese government will also cover:
- Tuition, admission, and entrance examination fees
- Return air tickets to and from Japan for scholars who complete the programme
- National health insurance during the study period
However, scholars are required to meet initial living expenses estimated at Sh270,000 (USD 2,000) before stipend disbursement begins.
Eligibility and application process
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be Kenyan citizens
- Hold a university degree
- Be currently employed as teachers in primary or secondary schools or teacher training institutions (excluding universities)
- Have at least five years of teaching experience by October 2026
- Be physically and mentally fit to study in Japan
- Commit to returning to Kenya and resuming teaching after completing the programme
Interested teachers must download application forms from the official Study in Japan – Teacher Scholarship website and submit completed documents in person or via courier to the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi.
All documents must be in English or Japanese, or accompanied by certified translations.
The selection process begins at the embassy level and includes document screening, written examinations, and interviews. Successful candidates are then forwarded to MEXT for final approval and university placement.
The embassy cautioned applicants not to send applications directly to MEXT.
Certain applicants are ineligible, including:
- Active military personnel
- Former MEXT scholarship recipients
- Applicants applying for other MEXT scholarships simultaneously
- Dual nationals who cannot prove renunciation of Japanese nationality before enrolment.
The programme is designed to build global education leaders who can strengthen ties between Japan and participating countries.
Instruction is offered mainly in Japanese or English, with a six-month Japanese language programme available for participants who require additional language support. Graduates receive a certificate upon completion.
