Japan-IMF Scholarships for Asians
The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) was established in 1993 with the aim of enhancing institutional capacity in economic policy-making and fostering sustainable growth in emerging and developing economies across Asia and the Pacific.
Funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), this prestigious scholarship is offered to highly motivated government officials who aspire to become future macroeconomic policy makers.
JISPA provides two tracks for scholars:
the partnership track and the open track. Under the partnership track, students study a specially designed graduate-level course in macroeconomics at an IMF partnership university in Japan. The universities participating in the 2014-2015 program include the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Hitotsubashi University (HIT), International University of Japan (IUJ), and the University of Tokyo (UT).
Alternatively, the open track offers support to scholars who wish to pursue graduate-level studies in macroeconomics or related fields, either at the master’s or PhD level, at any leading university in Japan.
This track is tailored for individuals who can identify courses that align with their professional goals in the public sector and future roles as economic policy makers.
Eligible candidates must come from 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, or Vietnam. They should currently work for government agencies related to economics, such as central banks, finance ministries, planning/development ministries, trade/commerce ministries, tax administrations, or national statistics bureaus.
The scholarship covers various expenses, including tuition fees, a monthly stipend with housing allowance and medical/accident insurance, a round-trip economy class air-ticket, and allowances for visa applications, testing fees (e.g., TOEFL), and book shipping.
The scholarship duration is one year, with the possibility of renewal for two-year master’s programs based on academic performance and university recommendation.
Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 16 years of formal education. Additionally, they need to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to or exceeding an official TOEFL score of 550, CBT213, or iBT79-80. Priority is given to applicants below the age of 40 who have not yet obtained a master’s degree from a university outside their home country.
Interested candidates must apply by December 10, 2013, for the 2014-2015 academic year. However, the open track accepts and reviews applications throughout the year.
The JISPA program plays a crucial role in developing skilled professionals who can contribute to the economic progress of their respective countries. To learn more about the scholarship and application process, visit the official website at http://www.imf.org/external/oap/schol.htm.