Have questions about the scholarship?

Join us in October to learn useful tips and get your questions answered! The session will be in English, but you can also ask questions in Japanese. If you already have questions, please write them in the form below—we’ll prepare answers to share during the session. We’ll also take questions live as time allows!

Japan-IMF奨学金の申請について質問はありませんか？10月に行われるINFO SESSIONに参加して、役立つ情報を聞き、疑問を解消しましょう！セッションは英語で行われますが、日本語で質問することも可能です。あらかじめ質問がある方は、下記フォームにご記入ください。当日のセッションで回答を用意いたします。時間の許す限り、当日その場での質疑応答も受け付けます！

DATE & TIME:
Oct 23, 2026 @ 6:00PM EDT (US and Canada) | @ 11:00PM BST (London) | Oct 24, 2026 @ 7:00AM JST (Japan)

You can also email IIE at: japanimfscholarship@iie.org for more info.

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies provides funding for Japanese nationals to pursue a PhD in Macroeconomics, Finance, Public Finance, Monetary Economics, International Economics, International Trade, Poverty Issues, Political Economy, or Econometrics at a university outside of Japan.

With financial support from the Japanese government, IIE in partnership with the IMF administers the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies. The goal of the program is to train Japanese nationals as applied economists to work either at the IMF or in their home administrations. Students in the program are expected to study macroeconomics, finance, public finance, monetary economics, international economics, international trade, poverty Issues, political economy, econometrics or a related subject at the PhD level at a leading university outside of Japan. Annually, up to seven scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students with a record of high academic achievement.

Program Goals

The goal of the program is to train Japanese nationals as applied economists to work either at the IMF or in their home administrations.

Scholarship Availability

Annually, up to seven scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students with a record of high academic achievement.

Fields of Interest

Students in the program are expected to study macroeconomics, finance, public finance, monetary economics, international economics, international trade, poverty Issues, political economy, econometrics or a related subject at the PhD level at a leading university outside of Japan.

Research Analyst Program (RAP)

Potential Japanese applicants interested in pursuing a career with the IMF are encouraged to apply to the RAP before seeking the Japan-IMF Scholarship. This paid RAP position provides valuable research experience, strengthening applicants’ profiles for future Ph.D. studies and career opportunities. RAP assignments are recognized as predoc experience, adding to candidates’ qualifications.

During the RAP assignment, applicants undergo evaluation and interviews. Following this, they may receive a conditional Japan-IMF Scholarship offer if they:

• Secure admission to a reputable Ph.D. program.
• Express intent and commitment to apply for a position in the IMF’s Economist Program (EP) after their Ph.D. and are willing to accept if selected.
• Meet the age requirement for entry into the EP, which is below 34 years old.

Once approved for the Japan-IMF Scholarship, applicants can indicate the secured funding assurance on their Ph.D. applications.

Japanese applicants seeking a predoc program with Ph.D. funding should:

• Submit an application to the RAP.
• Express their interest by emailing the Japan-IMF Scholarship (japanimfscholarship@imf.org).

Sponsor

IIE partners with the International Monetary Fund to administer the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Advanced Studies, with financial support from the Japanese government.