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Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) for Developing Countries
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.
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.
Target countries
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.
Target countries
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.
What's on offer
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.
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 universities 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. (please see the application guidelines for the partnership track for the complete information).
Application procedures
1. 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.
2. 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.
2. Two reference letters: References should be from applicants’ supervisor at work and/or an 3cademic advisor or professor.
4. 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.
* Yokohama National University (YNU) accepts new scholars every other year. It will not accept any new scholars for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Open Track: Application Guidelines
Application Guidelines For Open Track
Application deadline
Eligibility requirements
Application procedures
Application deadline
There is no application deadline. Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round.
Eligibility requirements
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
1. Completed application form (preferably typed).
2. 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.
3. Two reference letters: References should be from applicants’ supervisor at work and/or an academic advisor or professor.
4. 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).
5. 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).
Download: JISPA Brochure
http://www.imf.org/external/oap/index.htm
Application Notice:
The application for the partnership-track in 2010-2011 academic year is now open. An on-line application will be made available by the mid-October, 2009.
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
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