1. Question: Who can be invited or apply for IMF courses?

Answer: Officials of IMF member countries' central financial agencies, such as central banks and ministries of finance, economy and planning, who are sponsored by their agency.

• IMF training at Headquarters HQ is open to officials from all member countries.
• IMF training at the Joint Vienna Institute (JVI) is open to officials from Central and Eastern European countries, the former Soviet Union, and former centrally planned economies in Asia.
• IMF training at the Singapore Regional Training Institute (STI) is open to selected government officials, mainly from developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• IMF training at the Joint Regional Training Center for Latin America in Brazil (BTC) is open to government officials mainly from Latin America.
• IMF training at the Joint China Training Program (CTP) is open to Chinese government officials.
• IMF training at the Joint Africa Institute (JAI) is open to officials from Africa.
• IMF training at the Joint IMF-AMF Regional Training Program (RTP) is open to officials from the Middle East and North Africa.
• IMF training at the Joint IMF-India Training Program (ITP) is open to officials from India.
• IMF Institute distance learning training program is open to officials from all member countries.

2. Question: Who pays for the training in Washington?

Answer: As of May 1, 2009, a new policy will be implemented requiring sponsoring agencies to contribute toward the cost of travel, accommodation, and living expenses for participants in most courses that are held at IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C.; IMF staff costs, and other course delivery and development costs are excluded. Country contributions are not required for Washington courses that are funded or co-funded by donors.

3. Question: What is the amount of contribution required for the training in Washington?

Answer: The contributions will be based on the length of the course and the country income level as defined by the World Bank classification. Information on these charges can be found on the following page Country Contribution. Additional information on the contribution policy can be accessed at the following link: Policy for Country Contributions for Capacity Building.

4. Question: Who pays for the training at the regional training centers?

Answer: Training outside of headquarters has substantial funding from training partners and other donors. The IMF, in conjunction with these training partners and donors will also continue to cover travel, accommodation, and living expenses for participants in courses and seminars held at the regional training centers.

5. Question: Which courses can applicants apply for online?

Answer: Applicants are encouraged to apply online for courses conducted in Washington, Singapore, and Vienna. Those who are unable to access the online application for these courses may fax copies of the application form (English, French, or Spanish) to the IMF Institute: +1(202) 623-6490.

6. Question: Will applications be accepted by mail and fax?

Answer: Yes, the IMF will continue to accept faxed applications to its courses in Washington, Singapore, and Vienna. We cannot accept faxed applications for DL courses. Those must be done online.

7. Question: How are participants selected for courses by application?

Answer: An Admissions Committee composed of senior staff from across the IMF makes the final selection, aided by evaluations by IMF area departments and IMF Resident Representatives. The applicant's professional assignment and education, his or her previous attendance in Institute courses, and the needs and previous representation of the applicant's country play an important part in this decision.

8. Question: Can officials apply for courses and seminars by invitation?

Answer: No, applications are not accepted for these activities.

9. Question: How are participants selected for courses and seminars by invitation?

Answer: Usually nominations are initially made by government authorities. For some courses, final selection is made by the IMF Institute or other IMF staff in consultation with the regional institute or local sponsoring agency responsible for helping to organize the course.

10. Question: Who teaches IMF courses?

Answer: IMF Institute staff, specialists from other departments of the IMF and the World Bank, and guest lecturers from other institutions and universities.

11. Question: Is the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies open to all?

Answer: The Scholarship Program, funded by the Government of Japan, is for Asian nationals of IMF member countries.