The prestigious Post-graduate Study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST) Fellowship 2026 offers international students from developing or non-space-faring nations a rare opportunity to pursue fully funded Master’s or Doctoral degrees at the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in Japan. Established through a collaboration between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Government of Japan, this fellowship aims to nurture space engineering talent and empower nations without space programs to build their own space capabilities.

With access to cutting-edge nano-satellite development and testing facilities, selected fellows will receive monthly stipends, travel tickets, full tuition, and research support. This program is designed to enable young professionals to return to their home countries equipped with advanced skills to contribute to their local space ecosystem and economy.

About Kyushu Institute of Technology

Founded in 1907, Kyutech is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected engineering universities. It is renowned globally for its advanced research in space systems engineering, nano-satellite technologies, and robotics. Kyutech has contributed significantly to international satellite development projects and has trained hundreds of engineers from around the world.

• Ranked among Japan’s top engineering universities for research excellence
• Known for the Space Engineering International Course (SEIC) attracting global talent
• Provides state-of-the-art laboratories, clean rooms, and satellite testing facilities
• Strong international collaborations with space agencies and research institutes

PNST Fellowship 2026 Overview 

Field	Details
Scholarship Name	Post-graduate Study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST) Fellowship 2026
Host University	Kyushu Institute of Technology
Organizers	UNOOSA and Government of Japan
Location	Japan
Degree Levels	Master’s (2 years) and Doctoral (3 years)
Eligible Countries	Developing countries / Non-space-faring nations
Fellowship Value	¥144,000/month stipend, tuition, travel tickets, insurance
Deadline	30 November 2025 (23:59 JST)
Start of Program	October 2026
Application Mode	Online (via registration and email submission)

Scholarship Benefits

• Monthly stipend of approximately ¥144,000 JPY (covers food, housing, transport, daily expenses)
• Full tuition, matriculation, and entrance examination fees waived by Kyutech
• Round-trip economy air tickets between home country and Japan
• Research allowances and health/liability insurance covered under MEXT (Research Student) scholarship
• Access to advanced nano-satellite development and testing facilities
• International mentorship and supervision from top Kyutech faculty
• Cultural orientation and Japanese language training opportunities
• Opportunity to earn globally recognized Master’s or Doctoral degree in space engineering
• Build a strong international professional network in space research and industry

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Be nationals of developing or non-space-faring countries (without an established space program)
2. Be duly nominated by their institutions
3. Be born on or after 2 April 1991
4. Have the academic and professional background required for the chosen program:
   • Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in an engineering-related field
   • Doctoral applicants: Master’s degree or equivalent in an engineering-related field
5. Must not have lived in Japan for more than 15 months at the time of application
6. Degrees from different technological fields may be considered by the selection committee
7. Be able to apply the experience gained to advance space-related activities in their home country
8. Show commitment to gender balance and diversity, as the program aims to select 3 male and 3 female students

Application Process

Follow these steps carefully to apply for the PNST Fellowship:

• Step 1 – Registration
  Complete the electronic registration form to receive the editable application forms:
  Register for PNST Fellowship
• Step 2 – Prepare Application Package
  Submit the following documents in a single PDF (in English or German):

• Completed application form
• Proof of highest academic degree achieved
• Research proposal (up to 3,500 words) including:
  • Research question
  • Literature review and justification
  • Methodology and data sources
  • Detailed work plan
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two letters of recommendation from recognized academics

• Step 3 – Submit Documents
  Submit all documents (except referee reports) electronically at the web address received after registration.
  Deadline: 30 November 2025, 23:59 JST
• Step 4 – Selection Interviews

1. First interviews: January 2026
2. Second interviews (if required): February 2026

• Step 5 – Nomination and Admission

1. Notification of results: March 2026
2. Send original degree certificates, transcripts, and English test scores to Kyutech by Feb 2026
3. Research plan finalization: Feb–June 2026
4. Official entrance exam: July 2026
5. Visa processing: August 2026
6. Arrival and enrollment: September 2026
7. Program begins: October 2026

Comparison with Similar Opportunities

Feature	PNST Fellowship 2026	MEXT Scholarship	DAAD Research Grants
Host	Kyushu Institute of Technology	Multiple Japanese Universities	Multiple German Universities
Funding	Full (stipend, tuition, travel, insurance)	Full (stipend, tuition, travel)	Partial/Full (stipend, tuition)
Target Group	Developing/non-space-faring nations	All international students	International PhD students
Focus Area	Nano-satellite technologies	Any field	Research in all fields
Degree	Master’s/PhD	Master’s/PhD	PhD
Duration	2–3 years	2–5 years	3–4 years
Deadline	30 Nov 2025	April–May (varies)	October (varies)

FAQs About PNST Fellowship 2026 

1. Q1: Who can apply for the PNST Fellowship 2026?
   A: Nationals of developing or non-space-faring nations with engineering-related academic backgrounds.
2. Q2: What degrees are offered under PNST Fellowship 2026?
   A: Master’s (2 years) and Doctoral (3 years) degrees in space engineering at Kyutech.
3. Q3: Is there an age limit for applicants?
   A: Yes, applicants must be born on or after 2 April 1991.
4. Q4: Do I need to pay any tuition or examination fees?
   A: No, all tuition, matriculation, and entrance examination fees are covered by Kyutech.
5. Q5: What is the monthly stipend amount?
   A: Approximately ¥144,000 JPY per month.
6. Q6: Does PNST Fellowship 2026 include travel expenses?
   A: Yes, round-trip economy air tickets are provided by MEXT.
7. Q7: What language should the application documents be in?
   A: All documents must be in English or German.
8. Q8: How competitive is the selection process?
   A: Very competitive — only 3 Master’s and 3 PhD students are selected globally each year.
9. Q9: Can applicants already residing in Japan apply?
   A: Only if they have been in Japan for less than 15 months at the time of application.
10. Q10: When will the results be announced?
    A: Final results are expected in March 2026.

If you are passionate about contributing to your country’s space development and want to gain world-class expertise in nano-satellite technologies, APPLY NOW for the PNST Fellowship 2026. This is your chance to transform your academic and professional future through a fully funded program in Japan. Chesck out their application form on the official website.