## JAPAN-IMF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR ASIA — MASTER’S TRACK ONLY

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [JAPAN-IMF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR ASIA — MASTER’S TRACK ONLY](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/oap/jispa/sampleapp.pdf)

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- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/oap/jispa/sampleapp.pdf.md)
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### Application instructions and general conditions
- Applicants must read the JISPA e-brochure, including the Scholarship Conduct Policies, and the Application Guidelines before starting the on-line application.
- Any changes in applicant status or information provided in submitted application material must be communicated immediately to the IMF Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP) at jispa@imf.org.
- No changes can be made after submission. If a mistake is made, applicants must re-submit with another email address and inform OAP at jispa@imf.org of the new Reference number.
- Any false or misleading statements, inaccuracies, or plagiarism in submitted application material may be grounds for denial of admission into the university, revocation of the scholarship, and/or dismissal from the university.
- Incomplete application forms or applications missing required documents will not be processed.
- Submitted documents will not be returned, and application materials are not held over to the following year if an applicant seeks to reapply.
- If selected, applicants must submit original copies of application materials requested by the university of enrollment for their admission process; failure to do so will result in revocation of the university’s admission and cancellation of the scholarship offer.
- If the applicant withdraws during the selection process, the applicant must immediately notify OAP at jispa@imf.org.

### Privacy Notice and personal data handling
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF), through the Japan IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA), processes personal data in connection with participation in the program.
- Personal data provided in the form is used for administering and managing the scholarship program.
- Personal data will be accessible to authorized IMF personnel and, where necessary, shared with partner universities, the orientation program host institution, the Government of Japan, the nominating agency, and other authorized partners or service providers supporting program delivery.
- The IMF may collect personal data from the nominating agency and other relevant third parties.
- Personal data will be retained for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described.
- Applicants have rights in relation to their personal data; for more information applicants are referred to the IMF's General Privacy Notice.
- An English test allowance is provided only to the master’s scholars who (1) registered the JISPA institution code in TOEFL or IELTS; and (2) were admitted to and enrolled in the partner universities, in lieu of receipt.

### University preference and program choices
- Applicants must check one university for each choice; changes in university preference will NOT be accepted after application submission to JISPA.
- First Choice options: GRIPS (one-year), GRIPS (two-year), Hitotsubashi, IUJ, UTokyo.
- Second Choice options: GRIPS (one-year), GRIPS (two-year), Hitotsubashi, IUJ, UTokyo.
- For applicants who selected the two-year program at GRIPS for first or second choice, the form asks whether the applicant would also consider the one-year program at GRIPS; if “YES” is checked, a position for the one-year program might be offered.
- When taking an English proficiency examination applicants are requested/required to register with the institution code of the JISPA:
  - TOEFL: “C626 – Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia”
  - IELTS: “JISPA: Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia”

### Personal, family, and contact data fields
- Required personal fields include NAME (as in passport), Surname, Given name, Middle name(s), Nationality (as in passport), Birth Date (MM/DD/YYYY), Age (as of October 1,2027), Gender (male/female), Marital Status (single/married).
- Applicants must indicate whether they have any family members currently studying in Japan under the JISPA: Yes / No.
- Work address fields include Country; Agency/Organization; Department; Division; Position; Street; City; Postcode; Email (work); Email (private); Tel. (work, general); Tel. (work, direct); Mobile Phone; Fax number.

### Education and academic records
- Applicants must list education in chronological order, starting with the most recent.
- GPAs are required for undergraduate-level education and above. If transcripts do not indicate a GPA, applicants must calculate the GPA themselves using a GPA calculator.
- For high-school education and below, applicants must indicate N/A for a GPA field.
- The form asks for Total number of years of formal education (starting from primary school): _________ years.
- Applicants must list five subjects taken in Economics, Statistics, Mathematics or other subjects relevant to the program, and indicate whether the course was taken at the undergraduate or graduate level.
- Previous scholarship awards or training courses: applicants must state whether they have ever received a scholarship or attended a training course provided by the International Monetary Fund or any other relevant international institutions and list details.

### Present and previous positions; work experience
- Present position fields: Employer; Department; Division; From; To Present; Position; and a summary of present duties and responsibilities in no more than 100 words.
- Previous positions: applicants must list prior employers and positions in chronological order.
- Total number of years of work experience in the public sector (as of December 2026):  ______ years______ months.
- Other relevant experiences (membership of committees, publications, participation in special projects, attendance at international conferences, etc.) must be listed with dates.

### English proficiency and testing
- English testing fields include TOEFL and IELTS test details:
  - TOEFL: Test Date of test; iBT Reading; Listening; Speaking; Writing; Total; CEFR.
  - IELTS: Test Date of test; Test Report Form Number; Listening; Reading; Writing; Speaking; Overall; CEFR.
- Applicants must describe how/when they use English in no more than 50 words.
- Applicants from India, the Philippines, and selected Pacific Island countries are exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS score records.
- If the institution code was not registered when taking the test, the original score report must be submitted.

### Research proposal, other scholarships, and referees
- Research proposal section requires Title of the Research Proposal.
- Applicants must indicate whether they have applied for, or will apply for, any other scholarship or financial aid programs for 2027-28: YES / NO (circle one). If yes, provide scholarship program information including Name of Scholarship Program; Scholarship or Financial Aid Provider:Country; University or Institution:Country; Field of Study and Degree; Dates of Notification/Attendance.
- Referee information:
  - Two referees required.
  - For each referee provide Designation; First Name; Last Name; Email (work); Title; Department; Agency; Website of the Agency/University; Website of the referee (if available).
  - The referee's email address should be their official account associated with the domain of the referee’s agency/university (not personal accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, MSN).
  - Provide the URL of the official website of the referee’s agency or department. If only a local-language website is available, provide that URL.

### Declaration items to be agreed by applicant
- Applicant certifies that information in the application and submitted documents is true and accurate.
- Applicant understands any false or misleading information, including plagiarism, will lead to disqualification from the JISPA selection process and/or denial of admission, revocation of scholarship, and/or dismissal from the university.
- Applicant understands candidacy or acceptance will be nullified if originals of application materials are not submitted via post prior to the designated date after selection.
- Applicant certifies they have read the JISPA e-brochure and Application Guidelines, understand requirements and restrictions, and agree to adhere to guidelines and schedule.
- Applicant certifies they have no record of misconduct, have not been subject to disciplinary action, and have no criminal conviction; they will inform the JISPA Secretariat of any change affecting eligibility.
- If selected, the applicant will adhere to the Scholars’ Guidelines and Code of Conduct and participate fully in the Orientation Program and other JISPA organized events.
- If selected, the applicant will return to the nominating agency upon completion of JISPA to utilize acquired knowledge and skills as specified in the scholarship conduct policies.
- Applicant authorizes the IMF to collect from and release personal data as stipulated in the Privacy Notice for purposes of selection and monitoring under the scholarship program.

### Application checklist and required documents
- Applicants must upload items 1 to 9 to the online application system; incomplete applications will not be considered.
- If selected, original copies requested by the university must be submitted; failure will result in revocation of admission and cancellation of the scholarship offer.
- Uploaded Document Checklist:
  1. Agency’s Nomination and Certification Form: authorized, signed, dated by agency representative and bearing official seal of the agency.
  2. Statement of Purpose: As described in Application Guidelines.
  3. Research Proposal for Thesis or Policy Paper: As described in Application Guidelines. Only Word files are accepted.
  4. Official Diploma or Degree Certificates: Official English translations required if originals are not in English; each translation must be attached to the original document.
  5. Official Transcripts: Official English translations required if originals are not in English; each translation must be attached to the original document.
  6. Grading System and GPA Explanation: Include page from transcript or separate document that explains grading system and GPA. If not provided, applicants must prepare an explanation and calculate GPA using a GPA calculator, attaching the completed calculator.
  7. TOEFL Score Record or IELTS Test Report: If the institution code was not registered when taking the test, the original score report must be submitted. Applicants from India, the Philippines, and selected Pacific Island countries are exempt.
  8. Passport Copy: Photocopy of the photograph page of valid national passport. If a passport is unavailable, attach a photocopy of official national ID with photo.
  9. Photo: A recent photo in JPG format, maximum size 500KB.
- Reference letters:
  - Two letters of reference must be submitted directly by referees to OAP via email to jispa@imf.org using an official email address.
  - Applicants must complete the online application and obtain a reference number, which must be included in the submission email.
  - All reference letter submissions must follow instructions in the Application Guidelines.

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/oap/jispa/sampleapp.pdf_