The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) is funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the IMF's capacity-development arm, in partnership with several universities in Japan. It supports young and mid-career government officials from the Asia-Pacific region to earn a master's degree in macroeconomics, economic policy, or related fields. The scholarship is full: it covers tuition, a monthly living allowance of around ~¥150,000 (est.), a settling-in and study allowance, round-trip airfare, and health insurance, normally for 1 to 2 years of master's study at a partner Japanese university. Officials typically come from the central banks, finance ministries, and economic agencies of around 20 eligible Asia-Pacific countries, and are expected to return to public service afterward. Applications under the main (partnership) track usually close in the autumn, with a representative date around 20 October (est.). Treat the figures and date here as estimates and confirm current eligibility and deadlines on the JISPA website.
Apply through the JISPA process for the partnership or open track, with the support of your government employer.
There are partnership and open tracks; the partnership track nominates officials to specific partner universities. English-taught master's programmes mean Japanese is not required to study.
~20 eligible Asia-Pacific countries (see the JISPA list each year)
JISPA and its partner universities select scholars on academic background, the relevance of the candidate's public-sector role, professional potential, and the commitment to return to economic policymaking at home. Officials are usually endorsed by their employing institution as part of the process.
The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) is funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the International Monetary Fund's regional capacity-development office, with partner universities in Japan. It builds macroeconomic policy capacity among government officials in the Asia-Pacific region.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia — a scholarship funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the IMF for government officials from the Asia-Pacific to earn a master's in economics-related fields in Japan.
Full tuition, a monthly living allowance (around ~¥150,000, est.), settling-in and study allowances, round-trip airfare, and health insurance.
Young and mid-career officials from central banks, finance ministries, and economic agencies of around 20 eligible Asia-Pacific countries.
Yes — JISPA targets current public-sector officials who will return to economic policymaking, particularly in the partnership track.
A master's in macroeconomics, economic policy, monetary and financial economics, or related fields at a partner Japanese university.
No — the relevant master's programmes are taught in English, so Japanese is not required to study, though it helps daily life.
Normally 1 to 2 years, depending on the master's programme.
The partnership track nominates officials to specific partner universities; the open track allows a broader application to a master's programme. Check which fits you.
The partnership track usually closes in the autumn, around 20 October; the 2026 date here is an estimate. Confirm on the JISPA website.
Yes — applicants are typically endorsed or nominated by their employing central bank, ministry, or agency.
The IMF's capacity-development office for Asia and the Pacific, with funding from the Government of Japan and partner Japanese universities.
On the official JISPA pages, which list eligible countries, partner universities, coverage, and deadlines.