Do a three-year PhD in Japan with a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. Kochi University of Technology (KUT) runs the Special Scholarship Program (SSP), a research-focused doctoral programme taught in English for international students. Selected students receive a full tuition waiver and ¥150,000 per month for three years, plus a ¥150,000 travel and initial living grant if they live outside Japan. KUT admits about 15 SSP students each year for April or October entry. The next deadline is 16 October 2026, and you need a supervisor’s permission before you can apply.
Kochi University of Technology Scholarship 2027 Details:
- Host Country: Japan (Kochi)
- University: Kochi University of Technology (KUT)
- Scholarship Name: Special Scholarship Program (SSP)
- Degree Level: PhD (3 years, Graduate School of Engineering)
- Language of Study: English
- Financial Coverage: Fully Funded (tuition waiver and monthly stipend)
- Deadline: 16 October 2026 (April 2027 and first October 2027 round); 9 April 2027 (second October 2027 round)
Also check this University of Tokyo ADB-JSP Scholarship 2027 in Japan for another fully funded route in Japan.
Financial Benefits
According to KUT’s official SSP guidelines, successful applicants receive:
- Exemption from the ¥15,000 entrance examination fee
- Exemption from the ¥300,000 enrollment fee
- Exemption from tuition of ¥535,800 per year for three years
- A scholarship of ¥150,000 per month for three years
- A ¥150,000 grant for travel and initial living costs, only for international applicants living outside Japan
Not covered: accommodation, which students pay for themselves, though KUT helps find housing. Newly admitted international students also pay about ¥33,000 for insurance and ¥10,000 in alumni dues. KUT estimates monthly living costs at roughly ¥125,000–¥140,000.
Also apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 in the UK if you’re also looking at fully funded doctoral options.
Fields Covered by the KUT Special Scholarship Program
KUT’s outline page lists these research fields:
- Intelligent Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Kami Campus)
- Electronic and Photonic Engineering (Kami Campus)
- Architecture and Infrastructure Design (Kami Campus)
- Engineering Science (Kami Campus)
- Informatics (Kami Campus)
- Data and Innovation (Kami and Eikokuji Campus)
- Economics and Management (Eikokuji Campus)
What Is the Duration of the Scholarship?
The programme lasts three years. To graduate, students must complete at least 10 doctoral course credits, pass a preliminary examination and final defense, and publish at least one paper in a high-level peer-reviewed journal.
Eligibility Criteria
- Supervisor Permission: You must have permission from your preferred SSP supervisor to apply
- Degree: Hold, or be about to earn, a degree comparable to KUT’s master’s degree after 18 years of education
- Age: 35 or under at enrollment, in principle
- Academic Record: An excellent record with strong bachelor’s and master’s degrees from reputable universities
- Research Skills: The intention, knowledge, and research skill to study in your chosen field
- English: TOEFL iBT 72 (Writing 17), IELTS 5.5 (Writing 5.5), CET-6, or WSK (PETS-5). Some applicants may be exempt from submitting a score if they meet KUT’s conditions
- Nationality: International applicants from any country
Also check this KAUST Scholarship 2027 in Saudi Arabia for another fully funded graduate research option.
Required Documents
KUT publishes a separate list of required SSP application documents, so check that page before preparing your package. Based on the official guidelines, you should expect to provide:
- Your supervisor’s permission, obtained through the online pre-application
- The complete application documents, sent to KUT by post, which must arrive by the deadline
- Proof of English proficiency, unless you qualify for an exemption
- A verified master’s degree certificate, if you’re still completing your master’s. It’s required before enrollment
- A photo ID, such as a passport, ready for the interview
How to Apply for the Kochi University of Technology Scholarship 2027?
Pick your supervisors. Browse the SSP supervisor list and choose up to two professors whose research fits yours.
Send the online pre-application request. KUT forwards it to your chosen supervisors, who decide whether to let you proceed. Reply quickly when they contact you, because a request with no supervisor reply within two weeks counts as rejected.
Choose one supervisor after you get permission. If both approve, you must still pick only one for the formal application.
Prepare and post your documents. They must reach KUT by the deadline, so allow time for international shipping.
Complete the interview and exam. KUT screens documents, then holds an interview and a specialised-subject exam, usually online. Decisions come in mid-December 2026 for the October 2026 deadline.
Start early. KUT recommends sending your pre-application at least eight weeks before the formal deadline. If 16 October is too close, plan for the April 2027 deadline.
Official Website
Link to the official Website is given below
Frequently Asked Questions:
It’s a three-year, English-taught PhD programme at Kochi University of Technology in Japan, with a tuition waiver and a monthly scholarship for international students.
It covers full tuition and ¥150,000 per month for three years. Students pay for their own accommodation, and small insurance and alumni fees apply.
International applicants with a master’s-level degree, aged 35 or under in principle, with strong English and permission from an SSP supervisor.
16 October 2026 for April 2027 entry and the first October 2027 round. A second October 2027 deadline falls on 9 April 2027.
Yes. You can only apply formally if a supervisor agrees after your online pre-application.
KUT asks for TOEFL iBT 72, IELTS 5.5, CET-6, or WSK (PETS-5), though some applicants may be exempt under certain conditions.
You send the documents to KUT by post, and they must arrive by the deadline.