Nepali government employees working in economic policymaking and related fields can apply for the Japan–IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) to pursue a master’s degree in economics or public policy at selected universities in Japan.
Funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the scholarship aims to strengthen economic policymaking capacity across Asia and the Pacific by equipping government officials with advanced knowledge and skills. Nepal is among the eligible countries. Source: IMF
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2027–28 academic year are open for the Master’s Track. The online application deadline is October 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM Japan Standard Time (JST). Reference letters must be submitted by November 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM JST.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is intended for junior government officials from key economic agencies. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be a citizen of Nepal or another eligible country.
Be employed by a central bank, ministry of finance, ministry of economy, planning or development agency, trade or commerce ministry, tax administration, national statistics bureau, financial regulatory agency, or a related government body.
Hold a bachelor’s degree with 16 years of formal education.
Demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to a TOEFL iBT score of 79–80 or an IELTS overall score of 6.0.
Obtain an official nomination and certification from their government agency, including support for their studies and assurance of reinstatement after completion.
Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to their home country’s development after graduation.
Priority is given to applicants under 36 years of age, those who have not obtained a master’s degree from a university outside their home country, and those with at least two years of public-sector work experience. Meeting these priority criteria does not guarantee selection.
What Does the Scholarship Offer?
The Master’s Track provides an opportunity to pursue a specially designed, English-taught master’s degree in economics or public policy at one of four partner universities in Japan:
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
Hitotsubashi University
International University of Japan (IUJ)
The University of Tokyo
Scholars also participate in an orientation program designed to strengthen their academic foundations and build professional networks. The program focuses on macroeconomic policy, quantitative methods and related skills relevant to public service.
Graduates are expected to return to their sponsoring agencies and apply the knowledge gained to economic policymaking and national development.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines, prepare the required documents and complete the online application through the IMF’s official website.
Required materials include an online application form, agency nomination and certification form, statement of purpose and research proposal, official academic transcripts and degree certificates, two letters of reference, and English-language test results where applicable.
Important: Applicants should coordinate with their sponsoring government agencies well before the deadline to secure the required nomination and supporting documents.
Official application and details: Japan–IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA)
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF). Applicants should consult the official guidelines for the complete eligibility criteria, required documents and application instructions.
