Are you a young government official in Asia aspiring to shape economic policies and drive sustainable growth in your country? The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) 2026–2027 Master’s Track is now open for applications. Funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, this prestigious scholarship is designed to nurture the next generation of economic policymakers across the region.
Why Apply for JISPA?
JISPA is more than a scholarship—it is a unique boutique program tailored to strengthen macroeconomic management capacity in Asia and the Pacific. With only around 35 scholars selected each year, participants join an exclusive network of policymakers, IMF experts, and academics.
The JISPA 2026 scholarship highlights include:
- Full financial support covering tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, visa fees, and insurance.
- Top-tier education at one of four prestigious Japanese universities:
- National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
- Hitotsubashi University
- International University of Japan (IUJ)
- The University of Tokyo (UTokyo)
- Orientation Program (July–September 2026) that prepares scholars in economics, English, and Japanese language, while providing cultural immersion.
- Networking opportunities with the Bank of Japan, Ministry of Finance, IMF management, and alumni leaders across the region.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be under 36 years old.
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree (16 years of education).
- Have at least 2 years of public-sector work experience.
- Be employed and officially nominated by a government agency (e.g., central bank, ministry of finance, statistics bureau, financial regulator).
- Demonstrate a commitment to returning to their agency after completing the program.
- Show English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 79–80 or IELTS 6.0). Candidates from India, the Philippines, and certain Pacific Islands are exempt.
Eligible countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pacific Island Countries, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
- Online application form.
- Nomination and certification form from their agency.
- Statement of purpose and research proposal.
- Official transcripts and degree certificates.
- Two reference letters.
- TOEFL/IELTS certificate (if required).
Application Timeline
The application process for the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) 2026–2027 Master’s Track is carefully structured with multiple stages. The application deadline is set for October 20, 2025, giving candidates enough time to prepare all required documents and secure a nomination from their government agency. Following this, applicants must ensure that their reference letters are submitted by November 1, 2025 to complete their file.
In the next stage, all eligible applicants will be required to sit for a mathematics test in December 2025 to assess their quantitative and analytical skills. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited for interviews between late January and late February 2026, which play a crucial role in the final selection process.
The results of the scholarship selection will be announced in mid-March 2026, after which successful applicants must confirm their participation. The acceptance deadline is set for mid to late March 2026. This ensures that scholarship recipients have adequate time to prepare for their move to Japan.
The program begins with a mandatory Orientation Program from early July to mid-September 2026. This intensive preparation phase includes training in English, mathematics, economics, and Japanese language, alongside cultural and policy exposure. Finally, the Master’s programs will officially commence between September and October 2026, depending on the chosen university.