The scholarship is funded by the government of Japan and administered by the IMF’s Capacity Development (ICD) with assistance from the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Up to seven scholarships are awarded annually on a competitive basis to students with a record of high academic achievement. All JISP scholars are required to apply to the IMF’s Economist Program (EP) upon completion of their doctoral studies and to accept an EP position if offered. Scholars who do not comply with this condition will be asked to repay the scholarship cost.
About Scholarship Institutions
The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies (JISP) is a two-year program intended to help Japanese nationals obtaining Ph.D. degrees in macroeconomics and preparing them to work as economists at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Brief Description
- JISP scholars must continue an approved course of study and maintain high academic standards, passing all mandatory and qualifying examinations.
- Scholars usually complete the majority of the course work in the first two years of Ph.D., with the remainder of their studies devoted to researching and writing a dissertation.
- Dissertation subjects should focus on macroeconomics and topics relevant to the work of the IMF, such as: public finance, monetary economics, international economics, poverty issues, political economy, or econometrics.
- Selected scholars must attend a 2-day orientation program at the IMF in Washington D.C., shortly before they begin studies at their respective university.
- JISP scholars are required to complete a 10-13 week paid summer internship at the IMF in the year before obtaining their doctorate. JISP interns work in one of the IMF departments on a wide range of topical and regional assignments
Eligibility Status
To be eligible, an applicant must be:
- A Japanese citizen.or African
- Able to obtain a Ph.D.by age 34.
- Studying at, or applying to, a Ph.D. program in macroeconomics at a university outside of Japan. Only universities with a strong doctoral program in macroeconomics are eligible.
- Entering the 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of the Ph.D. program.
How to Apply
available online at www.iie.org/jisp. It must be completed in English and include the following:
- A personal statement focusing on the applicant’s background, career goals, and interest in working as an IMF economist;
- A complete university transcript for the applicant’s prior studies and, if already a graduate student, a current university transcript;
- GRE and TOEFL or IELTS scores;
- A copy of one application to a Ph.D. program; and
- Two reference letters.
The deadline for receipt of scholarship applications is June 31, 2020
Scholarships are awarded in the spring, for studies starting in the fall of that same year. Candidates must apply directly to universities for admission.
Please note that no exceptions can be made regarding the scholar’s nationality, university location, or field of study.