Overview
Host Country: Japan
Funded By: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Description
Host Country: Japan
Funded By: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Program: Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) PhD Track
Degree Level: PhD
Eligible Nationalities: Selected Asian and Pacific Countries
Eligible Fields: Economics and Public Policy Related Programs
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Application Mode: Online
Application Period: 1 May – 1 June 2027
Application Deadline: 1 June 2027 (23:59 JST)
Study Intake: September/October 2027 or April 2028
Eligibility
Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
Be a national of an eligible country.
Be employed as a government official involved in economic policymaking.
Receive nomination and support from their employer.
Be expected to return to their government position after completing the PhD.
Hold a strong master's degree or equivalent qualification.
Apply for admission to an accredited Japanese university offering a relevant PhD program.
Demonstrate excellent academic performance and research potential.
Have at least two years of public-sector work experience (preferred).
Meet the English language requirements of the selected university.
Additional Information
Scholarship Summary
Host Country: Japan
Funded By: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Program: Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) PhD Track
Degree Level: PhD
Eligible Nationalities: Selected Asian and Pacific Countries
Eligible Fields: Economics and Public Policy Related Programs
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Application Mode: Online
Application Period: 1 May – 1 June 2027
Application Deadline: 1 June 2027 (23:59 JST)
Study Intake: September/October 2027 or April 2028
Degree Level
The scholarship supports:
PhD Programs
Available Subjects
Applicants should pursue doctoral research in areas related to economic policymaking, including:
Economics
Development Economics
Public Finance
Monetary Policy
International Trade
Financial Regulation
Taxation
Economic Statistics
Public Policy
Debt Sustainability
Labor Economics
Climate Economics
Institutional Reform
Macroeconomics
Other policy-related economics disciplines
Benefits
Selected scholars will receive:
Full tuition fees
Monthly living stipend
Round-trip economy-class airfare
Financial support for approved field research (where applicable)
Funding to attend eligible international academic conferences
Access to IMF seminars and policy dialogues
Networking opportunities with IMF economists and Japanese policymakers
Academic support throughout the PhD program
Please note that the scholarship does not provide financial support for accompanying family members.
Eligible Nationalities
Applicants must be citizens of one of the eligible countries, including:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Nepal
Pacific Island Countries (eligible)
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
Be a national of an eligible country.
Be employed as a government official involved in economic policymaking.
Receive nomination and support from their employer.
Be expected to return to their government position after completing the PhD.
Hold a strong master's degree or equivalent qualification.
Apply for admission to an accredited Japanese university offering a relevant PhD program.
Demonstrate excellent academic performance and research potential.
Have at least two years of public-sector work experience (preferred).
Meet the English language requirements of the selected university.
English Language Requirements
Applicants should generally demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following:
TOEFL iBT score of approximately 79–80 or higher
IELTS overall score of 6.0 or above
Other English qualifications accepted by the chosen university
Japanese language proficiency is not a general requirement for the scholarship, although applicants should verify language requirements with their selected university.
Required Documents
Applicants may need to prepare:
Completed JISPA scholarship application
Government nomination
University admission application
Master's degree certificate
Academic transcripts
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Research proposal
Statement of purpose
English language proficiency certificate (if required)
Passport copy
Employment verification
Recommendation letters
Any additional documents requested by JISPA or the university
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply:
Confirm that you meet the JISPA eligibility requirements.
Identify an accredited Japanese university offering an eligible PhD program.
Prepare your doctoral research proposal.
Apply separately for admission to the university.
Obtain support and nomination from your government employer.
Complete the online JISPA scholarship application.
Upload all required documents.
Submit your application before 1 June 2027.
Attend an interview if shortlisted.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
Academic excellence
Public-sector experience
Leadership potential
Research quality
Relevance of the proposed research to national economic policy
Commitment to public service
Expected contribution to the applicant's home country after graduation
Why Apply For The Jispa Phd Scholarship
The scholarship offers an outstanding opportunity to:
Earn a fully funded PhD in Japan
Study at leading Japanese universities
Build expertise in economic policy and public administration
Engage with IMF economists and Japanese policymakers
Expand professional networks across Asia and the Pacific
Contribute to economic development in your home country after graduation
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Who can apply for the Japan-IMF JISPA PhD Scholarship? The scholarship is intended for government officials from eligible Asian and Pacific countries who are involved in economic policymaking and meet the academic and professional requirements.
Who can apply for the Japan-IMF JISPA PhD Scholarship? Yes. Applicants must apply separately to an eligible Japanese university. The scholarship application does not replace the university admission process.
Does the scholarship cover family expenses? No. The JISPA scholarship covers the selected scholar's educational and living expenses but does not provide funding for spouses, children, or other family members.
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Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
Japan Universities
Degree
PhD
Subjects
Public Policy
Nationality
International Students
Country
Japan
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.