Location: Japan
Program: Doctoral (PhD) and Master’s Degree Programs
Eligibility: International Students from eligible Countries
Duration: Full Duration of Program
Deadline: June 1, 2027
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The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) is a prestigious graduate scholarship programme funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP). Now in its 30th year, JISPA has supported young government officials from key economic agencies across Asia and the Pacific to pursue graduate-level degrees in economics at leading Japanese universities, equipping them with advanced knowledge and skills in macroeconomic policymaking to strengthen institutional capacity throughout the region. JISPA operates through two tracks: the Master’s Track, for officials who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in economics at a Japanese university; and the PhD Track, for highly motivated officials who seek to further advance their research skills through doctoral studies at any accredited university in Japan. For the PhD Track, applicants must first independently secure admission to a doctoral programme in Japan the IMF does not manage university applications.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), headquartered in Washington D.C., is the world’s foremost international monetary organisation, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty worldwide. The IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP), located in Tokyo, Japan, manages the JISPA programme on behalf of the IMF in close collaboration with the Bank of Japan and the Japanese government. Since its founding in 1993, JISPA has supported hundreds of scholars from across Asia and the Pacific, many of whom have gone on to become senior policymakers, central bank governors, finance ministers, and leading academics in their home countries.
Benefits of the Programme
This programme will provide the following to its recipients:
- Full admission and tuition fees coverage
- Monthly stipend to cover living expenses
- One round-trip economy class airfare
- Field research support
- International conference attendance support (subject to applicable conditions)
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this programme, applicants must meet the following:
- Must be a junior government official currently employed at a key economic agency — including central banks, finance ministries, and other key macroeconomic policy institutions — in an eligible Asian or Pacific country
- Must demonstrate strong commitment to returning to their home country after completing studies and to serving as a macroeconomic policymaker
- For the PhD Track: must independently secure admission to a doctoral programme at an accredited university in Japan before or during the application process — the IMF does not manage university applications
- For the Master’s Track: must be applying to an economics Master’s programme at an accredited Japanese university
- Must not concurrently hold another scholarship during the JISPA scholarship period
- Must meet the eligibility criteria published in the JISPA Application Guidelines available on the official JISPA Application Page
Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements.
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Selection Criteria
The JISPA PhD Track is highly selective. Applications are assessed based on academic excellence, research potential, commitment to public service, relevance of the proposed studies to economic policymaking, leadership potential, and the applicant’s prospective contribution to their home country. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview. For the Master’s Track, the application window for AY2027 application guidelines and related materials are available on the official JISPA Application Page at imf.org.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
