News and Events

Tender and Call for Expressions of Interest for JISPA Partnership Universities CLOSED

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from universities in Japan offering macroeconomics or public policy focused Master’s programs in English commencing from the 2026-2027 academic year. If your university is interested, please review the following material, and provide the EOI online by December 6, 2024.

Tender Notice: JISPA Partnership Universities

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AY2025-26 JISPA Partnership-track Application (Deadline: November 1, 2024 CLOSED)

Applications for the AY2025-26 JISPA Partnership-track are now open, with a deadline of November 1, 2024. Please review the following materials thoroughly and complete your application online.

JISPA e-Brochure
Application Guidelines
Sample Application Form
Online Application Flow and Link to the Online Application

Image_Application TimelineClick here to enlarge. 

Partnership-track Selection: Online Test Schedule

A. Math Test
Date/Time: December 4 (Wed), 2024, 14:00-15:00 (Japan Time) Format: Online, multiple-choice answers 
Target:  All eligible applicants 
Past Math Test

B. English Test
Date/Time: December 4 (Wed), 2024, 15:30-16:15 (Japan Time)
Format: Online, Essay Writing Test
Target: Selected candidates who are required to take the English test

Please note that the candidacy of those who fail to attend the test(s) will be nullified.

JISPA Welcome Events for AY2024-25 Intake

Date: October 16, 2024
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Open-track Application for April 2025 Admission (Deadline: December 1, 2024 CLOSED)

The open-track application for April 2025 admission under AY2024-25 is now available, with a deadline of December 1, 2024. This track targets officials from key economic agencies in the Asia and Pacific region who wish to pursue graduate-level studies at universities in Japan, primarily for Ph.D. programs. Please review the AY2024-25 e-brochure to confirm the eligibility criteria and application guidelines, as well as the sample application form, before proceeding to online application. (Note that applicants should disregard the AY2025-26 e-brochure mentioned in the online application form).

For those interested in commencing their studies in September/October 2025 under AY2025-26, the application period will open in April 2025, with a deadline of June 1, 2025.

JISPA Summer Workshop

Date: September 9-10, 12-13, 2024
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What is JISPA?

JISPA 30th Anniversary Logo  Click the logo to view the 30th Anniversary site


The Japan - IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) is an initiative for junior government officials from key economic agencies in Asia and the Pacific who wish to pursue graduate-level economics degrees at Japanese universities. The program aims to contribute to institutional capacity building in the region. JISPA graduates are expected to serve as future macroeconomic policy makers and contribute to the economic development of their countries.

JISPA is comprised of two tracks: (1) partnership-track, where scholarship recipients pursue a master’s degree at one of several IMF partner universities; and (2) open-track, where they select a master’s or PhD course at any leading Japanese university.

The scholarship recipients are offered opportunities to join various JISPA exclusive events and IMF-related activities, including seminars and conferences, receptions and round-table discussions with Japanese officials and IMF economists.

Learn More

Voices of Scholars

Many students and graduates of the scholarship program call their experience in Japan exceptional and unforgettable.

Graphic: IMF

Urangoo Erdenebileg
Partnership Track: 2022-24
Bank of Mongolia

Graphic: IMF

Saidul Islam
Open Track: 2021-24
Bangladesh Bank

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Special Programs

IMF offers special training opportunities for the JISPA scholarship recipients throughout the program and beyond to support their academic endeavor and career advancement.  

Orientation Program (for new entrants)

An extended orientation program is one of the highlights for the scholarship recipients under the partnership track. New entrants are invited to attend the 10-week orientation sessions, spanning from academic English to mathematics for economics to cultural understanding, at the International University of Japan in Niigata prior to the commencement of the academic course. This is an opportunity to build a strong tie among the scholars.

Summer Workshop (for current scholars)

An exclusive workshop is offered during the summer break for those who have completed their first-year studies. The three-day workshop provides the scholars with opportunities to gain deeper understanding and broader perspectives of IMF engagement with its member countries in the region.

Continuing Education Program (for alumni)

The JISPA support is extended even after the scholar’s graduation. In collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the JISPA offers a Continuing Education Program (JISPA-CE) for alumni serving as mid-level officials in their respective countries. It is part of career-long capacity development for JISPA alumni, aimed at strengthening their analytical skills that may help their policy making for their respective agencies and facilitate their policy dialogues at international fora.

NEWS REPORT

Application

Those who are interested in the scholarship program must submit an application form with supporting documents during the set application periods. 

Partnership-track: September 1 - November 1 (subject to change)

Open-track: April 1 - June 1 (subject to change)

Applicants for the partnership track are required to state their choice of preferred universities in the application. Please read the JISPA e-brochure for detailed information on the partnership university programs, eligibility and application procedures. 

The selection process may involve an interview and a mathematics test. Only those who are shortlisted will be invited for the interview.  

Sample Math Test

 

Contact:

JISPA Secretariat 

c/o IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP)
21F, Fukoku Seimei Bldg.,
2-2-2 Uchisaiwai-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011
Japan

Tel. +81 3 3597-6700
Fax +81 3 3597-6705
Email: jispa@imf.org

Please include your name, country, organization, department, and title in your inquiry. 

More Information

JISPA Publications

Partnership Universities

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