The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) offers different types of GRIPS Master and PhD Scholarships. Outstanding international students can apply for these fully-funded scholarships to pursue their studies in Japan.
Generally, there are two types of scholarship schemes that GRIPS offers for international students:
Applicants can review the details of each scholarship program in two separate posts. In this post, please check the details of the Master’s and PhD Scholarships through GRIPS 2025/26.
Summary
- Application Deadline: Check Program-Specific Deadlines
- Host Univesity: The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
- Location: Tokyo, Japan
- Eligible Nations: International
- Program Duration: Different Based on the Program
- Scholarships Type: Fully-funded
- Sponsors: Different Organizations, including the Japanese Government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and many more national and international organizations
Details of the GRIPS Master and PhD Scholarships
Following are the details of the GRIPS-allocated scholarships for international students applying directly to GRIPS:
Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
This scholarship is for MP1 and MP2 master’s degree programs for 2025/26. Applicants from ADB’s developing member countries can apply for this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants should be under 36 years as of April 1, 2025
- Be nationals of ADB’s developing member countries
- Have at least two years of full-time professional work experience after their bachelor’s degree or equivalent on the application deadline.
- Have not received a master’s degree or enrolled in a graduate degree program
For more details, visit the ADB website.
Benefits of the ADBJSP:
- A monthly stipend of JPY147,000
- Application, admission, and tuition fees
- Economy-class flight ticket from home country to Japan and vice versa upon enrollment in GRIPS
- Establishment stipend of JPY25,000
- Overseas student insurance and National Health Insurance
- Research payment of JPY70,000 (MP1 and first year of MP2), JPY42,000 (second year of MP2)
- Book allowance of JPY75,000 (MP1 and first year of MP2), JPY65,000 (second year of MP2)
- Travel-related costs of JPY25,000
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
This scholarship is for MP1, MP2, PA, Gcube, and STI master’s degree programs for 2025/26. International students, excluding Japanese students, can apply for this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants should be under 35 years old as of April 1, 2025
- Be from countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan
- Be non-residents of Japan
Benefits of the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship:
- Monthly stipend of JPY147,000 for MP1, MP2, PA during master’s course
- Monthly stipend of JPY148,000 for PA (during the Ph.D. course), G-cube, STI
- Complete application, admission, and tuition fees
- Economy-class flight ticket from home country to Japan upon enrollment at GRIPS and vice versa
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline for MP1, MP2, and MEP: November 22, 2024, 17:00 (JST)
- Supporting Document Deadline for MP1, MP2, and MEP: November 29, 2024, 17:00 (JST)
World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program/Joint Japan (JJ/WBGSP)
This scholarship is for the Master of Public Finance Program (PF) (Tax) for the academic year 2025/26. Government tax officials from eligible developing countries can apply for this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Government tax officials from eligible developing countries can apply for this scholarship.
- Applicants must be employed full-time in tax policy or administration, have at least three years of relevant work experience, and hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least three year.
- Applicants should have at least three years of work experience in tax policy and administration in their home countries as of March 1, 2025; the experience is countable after obtaining a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent date.
Notes:
- This scholarship availability for AY2025 has not yet been announced. GRIPS will promote it on their program web page when we receive notice from WB.
- Check the eligibility requirements on the program web page for the full details.
Benefits of the JJ/WBGSP:
- A monthly stipend of JPY306,910
- Application, admission, and tuition fees
- Economy-class flight ticket from home country to Japan and vice versa upon enrollment in GRIPS
- Travel allowance of USD500 equivalent upon arrival
- Travel allowance of USD500 equal upon completion of the study programme
Note: The monthly stipend amount is subject to change.
Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Scholarship Programme
This scholarship is available for Master of Public Finance Programme (PF) customs officials from eligible developing countries.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants should be below 35 years old as of April 1, 2025
- Be a full-time government customs official from eligible developing countries
- their Customs Administrations should have chosen and nominated the applicant
- Have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in administration and customs policy in their home countries at the time of enrollment at GRIPS
Benefits of the Scholarship:
- A monthly stipend of JPY147,000
- Complete application, admission, and tuition fees
- Economy-class flight ticket from home country to Japan and vice versa upon enrollment in GRIPS
- Arrival allowance of JPY25,000
- Book allowance of JPY75,000
- Return allowance of JPY25,000
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline for PF: February 14, 2025, 17:00 (JST)
- Supporting Document Deadline for PF: February 21, 2025, 17:00 (JST)
Details of the PhD Scholarships through GRISP
ICHARM Research Assistantship
ICHARM Research Assistantship for a year PhD programme in Disaster Management Programme (DM) for international students.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicants should be under 40 years old as of October 1, 2025
- Have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience,
- A master’s degree in disaster risk or water resource management is preferable.
Benefits of the ICHARM Research Assistantship:
- Monthly salary of about JPY200,000
- Seasonal allowance
- Housing and commuting allowance as remuneration for research assistant work
Note: For details, please get in touch with the ICHARM office.
Apply Online
Required Documents for Admission:
Please download and send all these documents via post to the GRIPS Admission Office:
- Application for Admission PDF/Word
- Statement of Purpose PDF/Word
- Letter of Recommendation, Certificate of Employment PDF/Word
- Research Proposal (only for applicants for Two-year master’s and PhD programmes) PDF/Word
- WCO Nomination Form (only for applicants for the Public Finance Programme Customs course) PDF/Word
The paper-based application directly to GRIPS:
Applicants of the following programmes should apply by paper by downloading the application guide and form below.
Please visit the GRIPS official website for details about the Master’s and PhD Scholarships.
How To Apply
To apply for a GRIPS-allocated scholarship, applicants should first apply for admission to GRIPS for 2025-2026. Applicants can apply online or directly to GRIPS via paper. There is no need for separate scholarship applications because GRIPS determines a specific scholarship for students based on the eligibility requirements specified by the scholarship providers.
Online application steps directly to GRIPS are as follows:
- Download the GRIPS application guide and Application Forms and read them carefully before starting the application.
- Complete the Application Forms (PDF, Word)
- Complete and submit the Online Registration Form.
- Submit all the required supporting documents to the Admissions Office by post.
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