The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) was first introduced in 1993. It is funded by the Government of Japan, administered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and conducted at various graduate schools in Japan. Its objective is to contribute to institutional capacity building in economic policymaking to promote the sustainable growth of emerging and developing economies in Asia and the Pacific. By training future macroeconomic managers in these countries, the JISPA aims to enable them to better formulate sound economic and financial stability policies needed for sustainable growth and development.
Overview
The JISPA targets highly motivated government officials who may serve as future macroeconomic policy makers with the capacity and vision to contribute effectively to the economic development of their countries. Scholarship awards are made on the basis of the candidate’s academic record and work background, mathematical and statistics skills, English language proficiency, and potential for contributing to the macroeconomic and financial management and economic development of their country. The assessment also includes qualities such as the candidate’s commitment to public service, willingness to learn, and openness to new ideas.
Currently, the JISPA is open to qualified candidates from the following countries:
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, and Vietnam.
The scholarship covers tuition-related costs and most living expenses for the scholar herself/himself. Officials who receive the JISPA scholarship cannot accept other scholarships. Scholars are expected to devote full time to their studies while in Japan.
The program comprises two tracks: the partnership track and the open track. Because of the strong competition for scholarships, the JISPA is highly selective. In 2010-2011, a total of 30 new scholarships are available to candidates for the partnership track. There is no fixed limit on new scholarships for the open track, but generally only a small number of scholarships are awarded.
Download: JISPA Brochure JISPA Brochure
The Partnership Track
The partnership track of the JISPA allows scholars to study a specially designed graduate level course concentrating on macroeconomics at an IMF partnership university. In 2010, the partnership universities1 that will be accepting scholars are:
Partnership Universities
- National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS): one year program
- Hitotsubashi University (HIT): two year program
- International University of Japan (IUJ): two year program
All subjects, including the thesis component, are taught entirely in English.
The universities offer subjects that cover essential elements that will allow scholars to enter the macroeconomic policy dialogue at an international level. They also offer various optional subjects that will allow scholars to pursue their particular interests, relevant to the topic of their master’s thesis. This thesis component is considered one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the program.
Subjects are taught by dedicated professors, many of whom have experience working as professionals of the IMF, World Bank, or other international institutions.
The application deadline for the partnership track is December 10, 2009. After an initial screening of applications, select candidates will be contacted by the IMF to arrange an interview, which is typically done in-country with representatives from the partnership universities. A math and/or English examination may also be administered at this time. Final selection will be made on the basis of the in-country interview, math and English competencies, the application form, and any other supplementary information.
Eligibility requirements
Target countries: Under current program guidelines, candidates must be a national of one of the following countries:
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, and Vietnam.
Work: Candidates should also currently work for one of the following or related agencies:
central bank, ministry of economy, ministry of finance, ministry of planning/development, ministry of trade/commerce, tax administration, or national statistics bureau. The program will also consider officials working in other areas of government that have a significant impact on the formulation or implementation of macroeconomic policy.
Education background: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent with at least 16 years of formal education. Names of schools and attending dates beginning from primary school must be listed in the application. In some cases, 15 years of formal education may be accepted if there is an official explanation (a country’s particular educational system or other exceptional circumstances).
English proficiency: Applicants must have an English language proficiency, which needs to be demonstrated as equivalent to or more than an official TOEFL score of 550, CBT213, or iBT79-80. If TOEFL scores are not available, then an overall IELTS score of at least 6.0 can be substituted.
Application procedures
- Completed application form: The applicant for the partnership track is requested to apply through the online application system. (The on-line application will be made available by the mid-October, 2009.) The blank application form can be reviewed for reference only.
- Official transcripts and official copies of diplomas or degree certificates from all undergraduate and graduate schools: An official copy means a certified copy of the original document with an official seal obtained from the administration office of the university attended. Copies attested by organizations/persons not having notarized/legal bearing will not be accepted.
- Two reference letters: References should be from applicants’ supervisor at work and/or an academic advisor or professor.
- TOEFL/IELTS certificate (if available): The TOEFL/IELTS test score must be from an examination taken after December 10, 2007. If a score is unavailable, the applicant will be requested to sit for a TOEFL/IELTS examination prior to receiving a final decision on the scholarship award.
All submitted application material must be presented in English or be accompanied by an official English translation. The material will be considered under the control of the IMF and provided to the relevant school(s) and the Government of Japan as it sees appropriate. None of the material will be returned to applicants.
Source: http://www.imf.org/external/oap/jispa.htm
The Open Track
The open track of the JISPA provides support to scholars who wish to study graduate-level macroeconomics or a related field at either the master’s or PhD level at any leading university in Japan. It is geared towards highly motivated officials who are able to identify a course of study in Japan suitable to their professional pursuits in the public sector and supportive of their future work as an economic policy maker. They typically cover all or most of tuition cost and related expenses and provide a monthly stipend for the scholar. The scholarship covers expenses incurred by the scholar only.
For a master’s degree, a scholarship can be awarded for up to two consecutive one-year periods and for a PhD degree for up to three consecutive one-year periods, depending on a university’s requirements under a specific course of study. Annual renewal of the scholarship is subject to approval by the IMF, based on the scholar’s progress, university’s assessment, and sponsoring agency’s consent.
To be eligible for the open track, applicants must first apply directly to the university of their choice and be accepted in a graduate-level program in an appropriate discipline. The IMF maintains no information on the application processes at Japanese universities. The IMF can also consider providing support to those eligible scholars who have already commenced their studies in Japan.
To apply for the open track scholarship, applicants must complete the application form. In addition, they should submit a copy of the letter of acceptance into a graduate-level program from a Japanese university (please see the application guidelines for the open track for the complete information). There is no application deadline for the open track.
Award of the scholarship will depend on the suitability of the chosen university and course of study, as well as a combination of the applicants’ educational background, work experience, and potential for future promotion in one of the key government agencies for economic policy making. Under the open track, the IMF will notify selection results within two months of an applicant’s complete submission of requested application material.
Application deadline
There is no application deadline. Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round.
Eligibility requirements
Target Countries: Under current program guidelines, candidates must be a national of one of the following countries:
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, and Vietnam.
Work: Candidates should also currently work for one of the following or related agencies:
central bank, ministry of economy, ministry of finance, ministry of planning/development, ministry of trade/commerce, tax administration, or national statistics bureau.
The program will also consider officials working in other areas of government that have a significant impact on the formulation or implementation of macroeconomic policy.
Education Background: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent with at least 16 years of formal education. Names of schools and attending dates beginning from primary school must be listed in the application. In some cases, 15 years of formal education may be accepted if there is an official explanation (a country’s particular educational system or other exceptional circumstances).
English proficiency: Applicants must have an English language proficiency, which needs to be demonstrated as equivalent to or more than an official TOEFL score of 550, CBT213, or iBT79-80. If TOEFL scores are not available, then an overall IELTS score of at least 6.0 can be substituted.
Admission to the University: The applicants must be accepted in a graduate-level program in an appropriate discipline. The scholars who have already commenced their studies in Japan may be also considered by the IMF.
Application procedures
- Completed application form (preferably typed).
- Official transcripts and official copies of diplomas or degree certificates from all undergraduate and graduate schools: An official copy means a certified copy of the original document with an official seal obtained from the administration office of the university attended. Copies attested by organizations/persons not having notarized/legal bearing will not be accepted.
- Two reference letters: References should be from applicants’ supervisor at work and/or an academic advisor or professor.
- TOEFL/IELTS certificate (if available): The TOEFL/IELTS test score must be from an examination taken after December 10, 2007. If a score is unavailable, the applicant will be requested to sit for a TOEFL/IELTS examination prior to receiving a final decision on the scholarship award (English Program only).
- Admission letter or enrollment certificate of the University of Choice.
All submitted application material must be presented in English or be accompanied by an official English translation. The material will be considered under the control of the IMF and provided to the relevant school(s) and the Government of Japan as it sees appropriate. None of the material will be returned to applicants.
Application material should be sent by mail to the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (see address below).
For further information on the application procedure, please contact:
Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia
IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
21st Floor Fukoku-Seimei Building
2-2-2 Uchisaiwai-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011
Japan
Tel. +81 3 3597-6708
Fax +81 3 3597-6705
Email: jisais@imf.org
