Applications are inviting for the Japan-IMF Scholarship program from Asian students. JISPA allows scholars to study a specially designed graduate level course concentrating on macroeconomics at an IMF partnership university(partnership track) and to study graduate course in macroeconomics or a related field at either the masters or PhD level at any leading university in Japan (Open Track).

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) aims to contribute to the institutional capacity building of key macroeconomic management agencies in Asia. With this aim, it provides scholarships for highly motivated government officials who may serve as future macroeconomic policy makers with the capacity and vision to contribute to the economic development of their countries.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 189 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.

Course Level:

For Partnership Track: JISPA allows scholars to study a specially designed graduate level course concentrating on macroeconomics at an IMF partnership university, i.e. National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Hitotsubashi University, International University of Japan (IUJ) and University of Tokyo (UT).
For Open Track: JISPA provides support to scholars who wish to study graduate-level macroeconomics or a related field at either the masters or PhD level at any leading university in Japan.

Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded for courses concentrating on macroeconomics (Partnership Track) and in macroeconomics or a related field (Open Track).

Scholarship Award:

For Partnership Track: Scholarships provide for admission and tuition fees; a monthly stipend (including a housing and subsistence allowance); medical/accident insurance; one round trip economy class air-ticket; and a lump-sum allowance to cover visa application costs and testing fees (such as TOEFL); and book-shipping costs The scholarship covers expenses incurred by the scholar only. Travel to Japan will be economy class by the most direct flight(s) available The IMF will provide scholars with pre-paid tickets and a travel allowance Assistance in applying for visas will be provided by the universities. Accommodations in Japan will be arranged for scholars by the university. The location of housing depends on the university’s choice and local availability University arranged housing is only for one-person occupancy. No provision will be made for married scholars wishing to live together.

For Open Track: The scholarship covers all reasonable expenses a scholar is expected to incur, including one return airfare (subject to conditions); admissions and tuition fees; stipend (including a housing and subsistence allowance); medical and accident insurance fees. For scholars enrolled in doctoral programs, research-related fees will be additionally covered. The scholarship covers expenses incurred by the scholar only.

Scholarship can be taken in Japan

Eligibility: Under current program guidelines, candidates must be a national of one of the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Island Countries, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

• Candidates should also currently work for employment from one of the following or related government agencies: central bank, ministry of economy, ministry of finance, ministry of planning/development, ministry of trade/commerce, tax administration, national statistics bureau, or financial regulatory agencies.
• Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent with at least 16 years of formal education.
• Applicants must have an English language proficiency, which needs to be demonstrated as equivalent to or more than an official TOEFL score of 550 or iBT79-80. If TOEFL scores are not available, then an overall IELTS score of at least 6.0 can be substituted.
• Priority is given to applicants (1) whose age is below 40, and (2) who have not yet obtained a master’s degree from a university outside of their own country; and (3) who have the minimum of two-three years work experience in the public sector.

Nationality: Currently, the JISPA is open to qualified candidates from the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Island Countries, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

College Admission Requirement

Entrance Requirement: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent with at least 16 years of formal education.

English Language Requirement: Applicants must have an English language proficiency, which needs to be demonstrated as equivalent to or more than an official TOEFL score of 550 or iBT79-80. If TOEFL scores are not available, then an overall IELTS score of at least 6.0 can be substituted.

Japan Scholarships

How to Apply: For both the partnership and open track, eligible candidates should submit the following:

• Completed application form. The applicant for the partnership track is requested to apply through the online application system which is available on the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific website
• Official transcripts and official copies of diplomas or degree certificates from all undergraduate and graduate schools. An official copy means a certified copy of the original document with an official seal obtained from the administration office of the university attended. Copies attested by organizations/persons not having notarized/legal bearing will not be accepted.
• Two reference letters: References should be from applicants’ supervisor at work and/or an academic advisor or professor.
• TOEFL/IELTS certificate (if available): The TOEFL/IELTS test score must be from an examination taken after December 1, 2014. If a score is unavailable, the applicant will be requested to sit for a TOEFL/IELTS examination prior to receiving a final decision on the scholarship award. For the open track only, eligible candidates should also submit the following:
• Admission letter or enrollment certificate of the University of Choice, or a copy of the applications to a university1 (open track applicants only).
• All submitted application material must be presented in English or be accompanied by an official English translation. The material will be considered under the control of the IMF and provided to the relevant school(s) and the Government of Japan as it sees appropriate. None of the material will be returned to applicants. Application material should be sent by mail to the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

Application Deadline: For Partnership Track: The application deadline for the partnership track is December 1, 2019 and for Open Track:  June 1, 2020.

Scholarship Link