APPLICATION GUIDE
2024-2025

Last Updated: August 4, 2023

1. Before You Begin
Search for a program
There may be several different degree programs at GRIPS that can get you to your career goals. The following are
the programs for which application must be made directly to GRIPS. Check which programs are available andsuitable for you. Information on each program can be accessed through the links below.
Admissions Policy, Curriculum Policy and Degree-granting Policy for each program
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/3policies/
Master’s Programs
MP1
One-Year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP1)
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/policy/
MP2
Two-Year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP2)https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/policy2/
MEP
Macroeconomic Policy Program (One-year Program or Two-year Program)for externally funded or self-financed applicants only
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/transition/PF
Public Finance Program
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/finance/
MSP
Maritime Safety and Security Policy Programfor externally funded or self-financed applicants only
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/inter_programs/maritime/
Ph.D. Programs
 Five-year Ph.D. Program
PA
Policy Analysis Program
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/phd_programs/analysis/ Three-year Ph.D. Programs
G-cube GRIPS Global Governance Program (G-cube)
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/phd_programs/g-cube/
STI
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/phd_programs/innovation/
Applicants are not allowed to apply for more than one program.
You can apply to GRIPS only once in an academic year. This means that if your application to a GRIPS program has
been rejected, you cannot make another application to any GRIPS program in that year, even if you choose a
different funding option.
If you wish to apply to one of our programs but that program is not included in the list above, it may be a program
for which you must (a) file a paper application based on an application guide other than this one, or (b) file through asponsoring organization. Please visit our “How to Apply” web page at https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/admissions/apply/and check the application procedures for your program of interest.
This guide is intended only for applicants who are residing in countries other than Japan. If you:
1. are currently residing in Japan; or
2. are residing in a country other than Japan and plan to move to Japan in the near future,
you may be considered a domestic applicant. Prior to applying, you must contact the Admissions Office by e-mail forclarification, since (depending on your visa or other status) you may not be considered a domestic applicant.
Please note that the application materials and procedures for domestic applicants are not the same as the materials
and procedures outlined in this guide. For details, please refer to the application guide for domestic applicants (i.e.,
applicants residing in Japan), available from GRIPS_AppGuide_Domestic_2024.pdf.

1Tuition and FeesWhat
How much
Frequency
Due date
Application Fee 30,000 yen
Once
Upon request from GRIPS
Admission Fee
282,000 yenOnce
At the time of enrollment
Tuition642,960 yen
YearlyIn two installments, due October 31 and April 30*Transaction fees and other handling charges must be paid by the applicant.
*Tuition and fees are subject to change.
You are required to provide a financial statement at the time of application. For details, please refer to Section 3,
Supporting Documents.
Obtaining a scholarship allocated through GRIPS
Full scholarships are available for exceptionally qualified candidates who have been accepted for study at GRIPS.
These scholarships are provided by the Japanese government (MEXT) and international organizations.
If you wish to be considered for one of these GRIPS-allocated scholarships, you do not need to apply for thescholarship separately, but you must select the appropriate funding option when you fill out the Application for
Admission. The specific scholarship will be determined by GRIPS based on the eligibility requirements imposed by
the scholarship providers. Please note that scholarships are allocated on a competitive basis and that only a limited
number of scholarships are available.
Scholarship Eligibility and Details (as of August 2023)
ScholarshipJapanese
Government(MEXT)
Scholarship

Asian
Development
Bank-Japan
Scholarship
Program (ADBJSP)

JointJapan/WorldBank Graduate
Scholarship
Program(JJ/WBGSP)

Eligible
Programs

Eligibility Criteria

Scholarship Coverage

MP1, MP2,
PA, G-cube,
STI Under 35 years of age as of April 1, 2024
 Nationals of countries with which Japan
has diplomatic relations
 Non-residents of Japan

 Monthly stipend:-for MP1, MP2, PA (during master’s course): JPY147,000;-for PA (during Ph.D. course), G-cube, STI: JPY148,000
 Application fee, admission fee, and tuition
 An economy-class air ticket from your home country to Japan
upon enrollment at GRIPS and an economy-class air ticketfrom Japan to your home country upon completion of yourstudies at GRIPS

MP1, MP2

 Under 36 years of age as of April 1, 2024
 Nationals of ADB’s developing member
countries At least 2 years of full-time professional
work experience after obtaining abachelor’s degree or its equivalent at thetime of the application deadline Must not have received a master’s degree
or have been enrolled in a graduate
degree program For more details, please visit the ADB
website.

 Monthly stipend: JPY147,000
 Application fee, admission fee, and tuition
 An economy-class air ticket from your home country to Japan
upon enrollment at GRIPS and an economy-class air ticketfrom Japan to your home country upon completion of yourstudies at GRIPS Establishment allowance: JPY25,000 Overseas student insurance and National Health Insurance.
 Research allowance: JPY70,000 (MP1 and first year of MP2),
JPY42,000 (second year of MP2)
 Book allowance: JPY75,000 (MP1 and first year of MP2),
JPY65,000 (second year of MP2)
 Expenses related to travel: JPY25,000

PF (Tax)

 Government tax officials from eligible
developing countries
Note: The eligibility status of each country
is subject to change without notice At least 3 years’ work experience (as ofFebruary 22, 2024) in tax policy andadministration in their home countries
after obtaining a bachelor’s degree or its
equivalent For the full details of the eligibility
requirements, please visit our program
web page.
 Availability of this scholarship for AY2024
has not been announced yet. We will
announce the availability on our program
web page as soon as we receive noticefrom WB.

 Monthly stipend: JPY306,910
 Application fee, admission fee, and tuition
 An economy-class air ticket from your home country to Japan
upon enrollment at GRIPS and an economy-class air ticketfrom Japan to your home country upon completion of yourstudies at GRIPS
 Travel allowance: USD500 equivalent upon arrival, USD500
equivalent upon completion of your study The amount of the monthly stipend is subject to change.

2Japan-WCO
HumanResource
Development
Programme(Scholarship
Programme)

PF (Customs)

 Preferably below 35 years of age as ofApril 1, 2024
 Full-time government customs officials
from eligible developing countries Must be chosen and nominated by their
Customs Administrations
 At least 2 years’ work experience incustoms policy and administration in theirhome countries at the time of enrollment
at GRIPS

 Monthly stipend: JPY147,000
 Application fee, admission fee, and tuition
 An economy-class air ticket from your home country to Japan
upon enrollment at GRIPS and an economy-class air ticketfrom Japan to your home country upon completion of yourstudies at GRIPS Arrival allowance: JPY25,000
 Book allowance: JPY75,000
 Return allowance: JPY25,000

Find out the deadline for your programYour application and all supporting documents must reach GRIPS by the designated deadlines. Incomplete
applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Deadlines differ by program so please check which deadline is applicable to you.
Application Deadlines
Application Deadline
Program

Master’s

Ph.D.

Online Registration Form

Supporting Documents

MP1, MP2, MEP

November 24, 2023, 17:00 (JST)

December 1, 2023, 17:00 (JST)PF

February 15, 2024, 17:00 (JST)February 22, 2024, 17:00 (JST)MSPMay 2, 2024, 17:00 (JST)May 10, 2024, 17:00 (JST)PA, G-cube, STI

January 10, 2024, 17:00 (JST)January 17, 2024, 17:00 (JST)G-cube (only for those
who have completed the
JICA Scholarship
application process)March 15, 2024, 17:00 (JST)March 22, 2024, 17:00 (JST)Use one e-mail address for all GRIPS communications
All communication you receive from GRIPS Admissions Office will be via e-mail.
To make our communication quick and effective, provide an e-mail address that you will check regularly. Update
your spam filters to ensure that all GRIPS communications go to your inbox.

2. The Application Process
Selection for admission is based on an evaluation of the information and supporting documents that you submit.
Before initiating your application, please carefully review the following details of the application process.
You will NOT be registered as an applicant until your Online Registration Form has been submitted and we havereceived a complete set of your required supporting documents by post.
If you have applied to GRIPS in previous years and wish to reapply this year, any supporting documents you
submitted previously cannot be used for this year’s application.
Please note that if you provide any false or misleading statement or incomplete or inaccurate information in yourapplication, your application may not be screened, you may be denied admission or, if you have been admitted, you
may be dismissed from GRIPS.
Step 1: Application Forms
Download the designated forms listed below from our “How to Apply” web page athttps://www.grips.ac.jp/en/admissions/apply/.
1.
2.
3.

Application for Admission 2024-2025
Statement of Purpose 2024-2025
Research Proposal 2024-2025 (This applies only to applicants for Two-year Master’s and Ph.D.
programs.)

3

Complete the forms and make pdf files of them so that you can upload them in the Online Registration Form.
Step 2: Online Registration Form
Fill out and submit the Online Registration Form at https://webentry.grips.ac.jp/entry_form/.
Please note that you may only submit the Online Registration Form once in an academic year.
Step 3: Supporting Documents
Send a complete hard copy set of your required supporting documents (see Section 3, Supporting
Documents) by post, to reach the Admissions Office no later than the designated deadline.
Your official TOEFL/IELTS test score report must be sent directly to us by post from the test center (GRIPS
institution code for TOEFL is 9040).
Walk-in submissions will not be accepted.
Mailing address
Admissions Office
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-8677, JAPANTEL: +81-3-6439-6046
Applicants are responsible for the timely delivery to GRIPS of all required documents. We strongly
recommend that you send the documents by registered mail or courier service (e.g., FedEx, DHL) wellahead of the deadline.
Applicants must send all required supporting documents, except for the original TOEFL/IELTS test score(s),together in one package. In extenuating circumstances you may have your official transcripts and certificates ofgraduation/degree sent directly to us by the registrar. In such cases, please enclose a memo with yourapplication explaining the circumstances.
All materials submitted by an applicant become the property of GRIPS and will not be returned. Please makesure to keep one copy of your application for your records.

Protection of personal information
All personal information that we receive from applicants will be used solely for the purposes of admissions
screening, collecting statistical information, student registration, educational affairs, and collection of tuition. All
information provided by applicants in their applications and supporting documents will remain confidential.

3. Supporting Documents
Important notes All documents must be in English.
 Digital copies sent by e-mail will not be accepted.
 Do not attach any additional documents apart from the items listed below.
 If your name as written in your application is different from that on the document(s) you submit, please submit
a copy of the relevant pages of your passport. If there is some reason (e.g., marriage) for the difference, pleasealso submit official documentation of that reason (e.g., marriage certificate).
 Supporting documents to be prepared solely by the applicant, should be typed on computer wherever possible(A4 size paper and single-sided printing are preferable). If circumstances require, documents legibly
handwritten with a ballpoint pen are acceptable.
□ Application for Admission (use the designated form)
Make sure you choose the form on which your program of interest is listed.
□ One (1) clear photograph of your face (30 mm wide x 40 mm high)Please paste the photograph or insert the digital image (e.g., JPEG) onto the Application for Admission.

4□ Two (2) letters of recommendation (use the designated form)
Your letters of recommendation must be written by faculty members or job supervisors who are familiar withyour academic and/or professional abilities. Ideally, one recommendation letter should come from a former
professor or academic supervisor.
You are required to obtain the letters from your recommenders using the designated form and submit them.
Each of your letters must contain both of the two A4 pages provided. Letters submitted that do not use ourdesignated forms will not be accepted. They must be submitted in sealed, unopened envelopes signed across theflap by the recommender.

□ Certificate of employment (use the designated form)
You are required to submit this if you are currently employed. New graduates and those not currently employed
need not submit this document.
□ Official transcripts of academic record and graduation/degree certificates
You are advised to show the instructions below to registrars at each of the universities that you attended when
you request issuance of transcripts/certificates in accordance with our requirements.
You must submit official transcripts of academic record and graduation/degree certificates from allundergraduate and graduate institutions that you attended/graduated from. These must be documents issued
by the university and bearing the seal or signature of the registrar, and they must be submitted in sealed,
unopened envelopes with the university logo and address noted; the envelopes must be signed or stamped
across the flap by the issuing school authorities.
 Official transcripts of academic record
Official transcripts should contain the following information:
Name of the degree program/course
Enrollment period
Names of all courses taken and grades received
Grading scale including the maximum grade point/score
If you are currently attending a university, please submit your most recent transcript.
 Official graduation/degree certificates
Official certificates should state the name of your degree and the date the degree was awarded. Provisional or
temporary graduation/degree certificates are not acceptable. DO NOT send your original diploma, as documents
will not be returned.
If you are currently attending a university, you must submit an authorized statement certifying the specific dateof graduation and the title of the expected degree.
Important notes Photocopies of transcripts/certificates that have been verified by a notary public are not acceptable.
 If a university has a policy not to issue more than one official transcript/certificate, you may submit official
photocopies verified by the university. To be official, these must bear the institution’s official stamp or thesignature of the registrar. They must be submitted in sealed, unopened envelopes with the university logo
and address noted; the envelopes must be signed or stamped across the flap by the issuing school
authorities.
 If a university cannot issue an official English version of your transcript/certificate, you are required to submit
both:
The official transcript/certificate (photocopies are not acceptable), written in its original language andbearing the institution’s stamp or the signature of the registrar, andAn official verbatim English translation of the document, prepared by an accredited translator.
□ Official evidence of English ability
Applicants for the Ph.D. Programs
One of the following test scores is required:5

1. TOEFL iBT: 79 or higher
2. IELTS Academic: 6.0 or higher
Applicants for the Master's Programs
You are required to submit an official report of your TOEFL iBT or IELTS score. Admission priority will be given to
applicants who have a TOEFL iBT score of 79 or higher, or an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or higher.
Your official TOEFL/IELTS test score report must be sent directly to us by post from the test center (GRIPS
institution code for TOEFL is 9040. There is no GRIPS institution code for IELTS.). Test score reports sent by
applicants will not be accepted.
Please note that English test scores are valid for two years from the test date, and therefore, tests must havebeen taken within two years of the time of enrollment at GRIPS.
TOEFL PBT, revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test and TOEFL ITP scores are not acceptable.
How to apply for a waiver of the English language proficiency requirement(There are two categories in our English test exemption policy.)
Category 1:

Applicants who have completed or expect to complete an undergraduate or a graduate degree atan accredited institution located in the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland
will be automatically exempted from submitting an English test score.

Category 2:

Applicants who have completed or expect to complete an undergraduate or a graduate degree at
an institution where the language of instruction is English may request a waiver of the English
language proficiency requirement.
If you wish to apply for such a waiver, you must submit official documents issued by theeducational institution you attended, certifying that your undergraduate or graduate education
was conducted entirely in English. If the official transcript of your academic record or
graduation/degree certificate includes that information, you need not submit a separate
document.
This document must bear the seal or signature of the registrar, and it must be submitted in asealed, unopened envelope with the university logo and address noted; the envelope must be
signed or stamped across the flap by the issuing school authority.
You are advised to show these instructions to the registrar at the university that you attended
when you request issuance of the document in accordance with our requirements.

□ Statement of purpose (use the designated form)□ Financial statement
A financial statement is required if you select "I will finance myself" or "I will obtain funding from otherinstitutions" when you submit your Application for Admission.
Note: Scholarship applicants who are willing to pay for their own admission if they do not receive a scholarshipmust provide a financial statement at the time of application.
To show that you have the necessary funds to cover the total cost of your studies (tuition and living expenses inJapan; estimated at JPY 2,800,000 for the first year), please submit one of the following documents:
1.
2.
3.

An original bank statement or an original letter from a bank dated within the past two months showing thenecessary funds in Japanese yen or US dollars;
An original award letter from a scholarship provider showing the total sum of the scholarship in Japanese yenor US dollars as well as the general terms and conditions of the scholarship; or
An original statement from a sponsor (such as a relative) indicating the sponsor’s ability and willingness toprovide you with the necessary funds. The sponsor needs to provide proof of the necessary funds in the formof an original bank statement or an original letter from a bank dated within the past two months and showing
the necessary funds in Japanese yen or US dollars.

A hard copy of a screen shot from a bank website will not be accepted.

6

The bank account shown in your statement must be of the type that allows you to withdraw funds upon yourrequest.
Applicants who have completed the JICA Scholarship application process are required to provide official proof ofthe status of their application upon request from GRIPS.
□ Application fee
An application fee is required if you select "I will finance myself" or "I will obtain funding from other institutions"when you submit your Application for Admission. Please DO NOT pay the fee before we advise you to do so.
If the application fee has been paid and the application has been received by us, the fee will not be returned forany reason.
Upon request from GRIPS, the application fee, in the amount of JPY 30,000, must be paid by bank transfer to theaccount below. All applicable transfer charges will be borne by the applicant.
Bank name: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Branch name: Tokyo Koumubu, Japan 096
Account number: 151884
Account name: The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
Swift code (BIC code): SMBCJPJT

Additional document required of applicants for two-year master’s programs□ Research proposal (use the designated form)
Additional documents required of applicants for five-year and three-year Ph.D. programs□ Research proposal (use the designated form)□ Hard copy of your master’s thesis or equivalent
If your thesis or its equivalent was written in a language other than English, please prepare and submit an English
version of the abstract. In this case, you do not need to submit your master’s thesis or its equivalent.
If your program does not require a thesis, you can submit a paper that you wrote during your study and that is
related to your area of research.
If you are currently a student, you can submit the thesis you have been working on even if it is incomplete. If you
think it is not enough, you can also submit a term paper or some other paper related to your research.
Applicants to the five-year Ph.D. program (PA) who do not have a graduate degree must submit anundergraduate thesis or a course paper.

4. After You Apply
Notify GRIPS of any changes
You must notify GRIPS by e-mail as soon as possible of any changes in your personal data (e.g., address, phone
number) or in your employment information (e.g., promotion, transfer) that may occur after you have completed
your application.

Admissions results
Once we have received your complete application with supporting documents, it is sent to our screening committee.
The final results of screening are announced by e-mail (See Admissions Schedule). Both successful and unsuccessful
applicants receive notification e-mails.
NOTE: we do not respond to any individual inquiries about (a) the status of the screening process or (b) reasons for
non-acceptance.

7Admissions inquiries
If you have any questions or need further information, please refer to the Application FAQs at
https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/admissions/faqs/
If the answer to your question is not in the FAQs or in this Guide, please feel free to contact us by e-mail at
admissions@grips.ac.jp8Admissions ScheduleThis chart gives an overall view of the admissions schedule by program for which application must be made directly to GRIPS by post. Schedules may vary.
Screening for admission usually takes place within four months of the application deadline for each program.
The final results are announced each year by the beginning of August at the latest.
Previous Year
Aug

Sep

Year of Enrollment

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Deadline
Dec 1,
2023

Screening

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

For applicants seeking scholarships allocated through GRIPS
MP1,
MP2

MEXT,
ADB

Application Open

PF
(Tax)

WB,
WCO

Application OpenPA,
G-cube,STI

MEXT

Application Open

Master's
Programs

Ph.D.
Programs

Deadline
Feb 22,2024

Deadline
Jan 17,
2024

Visa,
etc.

ResultScreening

Screening

ResultProgram starts

Visa, etc.

Tax:Oct.; Cus:Sep.

Visa,
etc.

ResultProgramstartsProgramstartsFor externally funded/self-financed applicants

Master's
Programs

Ph.D.
Programs

MP1, MP2, MEP

Application OpenPF

Application OpenMSP

Application OpenPA, G-cube, STI

Application OpenG-cube (only for those
who have completed the
JICA Scholarship
application process)Application Open

Deadline
Dec 1,
2023

Screening

Deadline
Feb 22,
2024

Screening

ResultDeadline
May 10,2024
Deadline
Jan 17,2024

Screening

Program starts

Visa, etc.

Screening Result

ResultDeadline
Mar 22,2024

9ProgramstartsVisa, etc.

ResultScreening

ResultTax:Oct.; Cus:Sep.

Visa, etc.

ProgramstartsVisa, etc.

ProgramstartsVisa, etc.

Programstarts