GRIPS Scholarships for Masters and PhD Study in Japan

GRIPS in Japan gives students the chance to apply for one of several scholarships or fellowships for Masters and PhD study. The awards are provided by different sponsoring organizations and are open to students from developing countries and other eligible countries.

You can apply directly to GRIPS for these programs: the Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT), the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP), the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), the Japan–WCO Human Resource Development Program Scholarship, the G-cube Fellowship, the GRIPS Fellowship and the ICHARM Research Assistantship.

Other awards are available only when you apply through a sponsoring organization: the Japanese Government-YLP-MEXT Scholarship, the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia, the Indonesian Government Scholarship for Linkage Master's Program, JICA/Building Research Institute (BRI), JICA/Public Works Research Institute (PWRI) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Scholarships at GRIPS fall into three types based on application method: (a) apply directly to GRIPS, (b) apply through a sponsoring organization, and (c) apply to both the sponsoring organization and directly to GRIPS.

• Host: The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan
• Levels: Masters and PhD programs
• Study destination: Japan
• Direct-application deadlines: 29 November 2019, 17 January 2020, 28 February 2020 and 6 March 2020, depending on the program
• Awards: number not specified; over 90% of GRIPS students receive full scholarships
• Covered: monthly stipend, application, admission and tuition fees, and economy-class air tickets
• Fees if self-financed: application fee 30,000 yen, admission fee 282,000 yen, tuition 642,960 yen per year

The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan

Public Policy; Public Finance; Macroeconomic Policy; Economics, Planning and Public Policy; Disaster Management Policy; Maritime Safety and Security Policy; Japanese and Culture.

The number of awards is not specified.

The awards are for students from developing countries and other eligible countries who are mid-career public officials.

More than 90% of GRIPS students hold full scholarships. A scholarship pays a monthly stipend for living costs such as food, clothing and other daily expenses, and also covers accommodation, transportation, medical treatment, insurance and various miscellaneous costs. It also pays the application fee, admission fee and tuition, plus economy-class air tickets between your home country and Japan when you enroll and when you finish your studies. Allowances and rules vary slightly from one scholarship to another.

The 2020 GRIPS Scholarship Summary Page lists the benefits of each scholarship.

If you are self-financed, the fees are: application fee 30,000 yen (once, when requested by GRIPS); admission fee 282,000 yen (once, at the time of enrollment); tuition 642,960 yen (yearly, in two installments, due October 31 and April 30). Transaction fees and other handling charges must be paid by the applicant, and tuition and fees are subject to change.

GRIPS decides which scholarship you receive, based on the eligibility rules set by each scholarship provider. The institute looks for mid-career public officials with strong leadership and managerial potential, and for people with strong academic ability who want to work as professional policy analysts or build an academic career.

For Masters programs and 5-year PhD programs you must hold a Bachelors degree or its equivalent. For 3-year PhD programs you must hold a Masters degree or its equivalent.

Each scholarship has its own criteria. The 2020 GRIPS Scholarship Summary Page sets out the criteria for every award.

For the JICA Scholarship, if you are a candidate for MP1/2, PF(Tax), G-cube, PA or STI, you must be instructed by JICA to apply to GRIPS. Begin by contacting the department in your organization responsible for overseas study to confirm that employees from your organization are eligible to apply. Do not contact the JICA office in your area directly.

Applications are currently closed.

If you live outside Japan and apply directly to GRIPS for a scholarship, the deadlines are:

• 29 November 2019 for the 1-year Masters in Program of Public Policy (MP1) and the 2-year Masters Program of Public Policy (MP2);
• 17 January 2020 for the PhD programs in Policy Analysis (PA), GRIPS Global Governance (G-cube), Security and International Studies Program (SISP) and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program (STI), and for the Masters in Economics, Planning and Public Policy Program (EPP);
• 28 February 2020 for the Masters in Public Finance Program (PF); and
• 6 March 2020 for the PhD in Disaster Management Program (DM).

If you apply through a sponsoring organization (JICA, IMF or Japanese embassies), deadlines differ, so contact that organization directly.

Direct applications are submitted online to GRIPS: download the application guide and forms for your program and apply through the online application. You are required to provide a financial statement at the time of application; details are in the Application Guide.

Check the official website linked below for full details on how to apply.

This suits mid-career public officials from developing countries and other eligible countries who want policy training in Japan without paying tuition or living costs themselves. It also fits strong students who plan a career as policy analysts or in academia and meet the degree requirement for their chosen program. Self-financed applicants are also welcomed.

• Who can apply for GRIPS scholarships? Students from developing countries and other eligible countries, mainly mid-career public officials, plus individuals with strong academic ability who want to become policy analysts or pursue an academic career.

• What does a GRIPS scholarship cover? A monthly stipend, accommodation and related living costs, the application, admission and tuition fees, and economy-class air tickets between your home country and Japan at enrollment and at completion of studies.

• Which degree do I need? A Bachelors degree or its equivalent for Masters programs and 5-year PhD programs, and a Masters degree or its equivalent for 3-year PhD programs.

• How do I apply? Apply directly to GRIPS online by the deadline for your program, or apply through a sponsoring organization such as JICA, the IMF or a Japanese embassy and follow its deadline.

• What if I am not awarded a scholarship? Self-financed applicants are welcomed. The application fee is 30,000 yen, the admission fee is 282,000 yen and tuition is 642,960 yen per year, paid in two installments due October 31 and April 30.

• Are applications open now? No. Applications are currently closed.

• Read the official scholarship guidelines for your chosen program before you start, since each award has its own rules.
• Gather your transcripts, degree certificates and recommendation letters well before the deadline.
• Prepare the financial statement required at the time of application.
• If you apply through a sponsoring organization, confirm its deadline and documents with that organization first.