GRIPS 2027 Scholarships in Japan for International Students | Master’s and PhD Programs
Study in Japan with the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
The Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Japan has announced opportunities for Tanzanians to pursue postgraduate studies at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan, for the 2027–2028 academic year.
GRIPS is a graduate school specializing in public policy and policy-related studies. Its international programs cover areas including public policy, economics, international development, international relations, public finance, maritime security, policy analysis, and science, technology and innovation policy. GRIPS states that its international programs are conducted in English, while qualified international students may also take Japanese-language courses.
Important: GRIPS has officially confirmed that applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are open/being accepted, with application information and forms available through its official admissions page.
Available Programs
1. One-Year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP1)
The MP1 is a one-year professional master's program designed primarily for mid-career professionals working in governments, international organizations and related institutions.
Students can develop expertise in areas including:
- Economic Policy
- International Development Policy
- International Relations
- Public Policy
The program combines core courses, specialized policy courses and electives to develop analytical and practical policy-making skills.
Official MP1 Program Information
2. Two-Year Master’s Program of Public Policy (MP2)
The MP2 is a two-year master's program designed for early- and mid-career professionals in national or local governments, international organizations and policy institutes.
It provides advanced training in policy analysis and gives students additional time to develop research and thesis-writing skills.
Official MP2 Program Information
3. Macroeconomic Policy Program (MEP)
The Macroeconomic Policy Program trains policymakers and professionals using modern macroeconomic theory and policy.
The program is available in:
- One-year format
- Two-year format
Degrees offered include:
- Master of Public Policy
- Master of Public Economics
- Master of Arts in Public Economics
The curriculum covers areas such as:
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Econometrics
- Monetary policy
- Fiscal policy
- International trade
- Financial markets
- Economic development
- Public finance
The program is taught in English and is primarily aimed at government officials and professionals involved in designing and implementing macroeconomic policies.
Official Macroeconomic Policy Program
4. Public Finance Program (PF)
The Public Finance Program prepares students for leadership roles in taxation and customs.
It has two main courses:
Tax Course
Designed for professionals working in tax policy and tax administration.
Customs Course
Designed for professionals working in customs policy and administration.
The program awards a Master of Public Finance.
For international students, the program is associated with:
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Partnership Program (JJ/WBGSP) for the Tax Course
- Japan-World Customs Organization Human Resource Development Programme for the Customs Course
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university.
Official Public Finance Program
5. Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program (MSP)
This program focuses on maritime safety and security policy and is conducted in cooperation with Japanese maritime-security institutions.
It is particularly relevant to professionals involved in:
- Maritime security
- Coast guard operations
- International relations
- Maritime law
- Search and rescue
- Disaster prevention
- Maritime policy
The program is one of the international master's programs listed by GRIPS for the 2027–2028 admissions cycle, with specific funding and eligibility conditions depending on the applicant.
6. GRIPS Global Governance Program (G-cube)
G-cube is a five-year integrated master's and doctoral program.
It covers fields such as:
- Global governance
- Political economy
- International relations
- Comparative politics
- Development economics
- Area studies
- Security and international studies
Degrees available through the program include doctoral degrees in Advanced Policy Studies, International Relations and International Development Studies.
Official G-cube and Doctoral Programs Information
7. Policy Analysis Program (PA)
The Policy Analysis Program is a five-year integrated master's and PhD program focusing primarily on economics and policy analysis.
It prepares students for advanced research and professional work in areas such as:
- Public economics
- Development economics
- International economics
- Economic policy analysis
The program is intended for students who want to develop strong quantitative and research skills for policy analysis.
8. Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program (STI)
The STI program is a three-year doctoral program focusing on science, technology and innovation policy.
It prepares government officials, practitioners and researchers to design, implement, evaluate and revise science, technology and innovation policies.
The program covers:
- Policy research
- Policy planning
- Policy implementation
- Policy evaluation
- Science and technology policy
- Innovation policy
- Social science research
The program offers a Ph.D. in Public Policy and is conducted in English/Japanese. It normally lasts three years.
Official Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Program
Important Update on Economics, Planning and Public Policy (EPP)
The announcement issued by the Tanzanian Embassy lists Economics, Planning and Public Policy (EPP) among the programs.
However, applicants should be aware that the current official GRIPS admissions page states that applications for EPP for the 2027–2028 academic year are suspended and are expected to reopen for the 2028–2029 academic year.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that EPP is currently available for 2027 admission.
Who Can Apply?
According to GRIPS' current admissions information:
Master's and Five-Year PhD Programs
Applicants generally need:
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
Three-Year PhD Programs
Applicants generally need:
- A master's degree or equivalent qualification.
Individual programs may impose additional requirements concerning academic background, professional experience, English proficiency, research experience or other criteria.
Official GRIPS Eligibility and Application Information
Scholarships and Funding Opportunities
GRIPS provides access to several scholarship opportunities for international students.
Depending on the program and eligibility, funding opportunities may include:
- Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
- Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Partnership Program (JJ/WBGSP)
- Japan-WCO Human Resource Development Programme
- JICA scholarships
- Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA)
- Other scholarships and external funding arrangements
GRIPS states that some scholarships are available through the university, while others require applicants to apply through a sponsoring organization.
Official GRIPS Scholarships, Tuition and Fees
Tuition and Other Fees
For applicants who are not receiving a scholarship and intend to finance their studies themselves, GRIPS currently lists:
- Application Fee: JPY 30,000
- Admission Fee: JPY 282,000
- Tuition: JPY 642,960 per year
GRIPS notes that fees are subject to change.
Applicants should therefore check the latest fee information before making financial arrangements.
Application Process
The GRIPS application process generally involves the following steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Program
Review the available programs and select the one that matches your academic background, professional experience and career goals.
Step 2: Read the Application Guide
Applicants should carefully read the official application guide before completing any forms.
Step 3: Complete the Required Forms
Depending on the program, applicants may need to prepare:
- Application for Admission
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation
- Certificate of Employment
- Research Proposal
- Other program-specific documents
GRIPS specifically states that a Research Proposal is required for applicants to two-year master's programs and PhD programs.
Step 4: Submit the Online Application
Applicants must complete the online registration process through the GRIPS application system.
GRIPS Online Application / How to Apply
Step 5: Submit Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit the required supporting documents according to the instructions and deadlines specified by GRIPS.
For previous application cycles, required documents included academic records, certificates and English-language test results where applicable. Applicants should follow the 2027–2028 Application Guide rather than relying on requirements from previous years.
English Language Requirement
English proficiency requirements depend on the program.
Applicants should check the specific program's requirements regarding accepted tests such as:
- TOEFL
- IELTS
Some applicants may qualify for an exemption depending on their previous education and the language of instruction.
Therefore, applicants should carefully check the official application guide for their chosen program before booking an English test.
Important Application Deadlines
The deadlines are program-specific, and applicants outside Japan must pay particular attention to both:
- The online application deadline
- The deadline for supporting documents
The official GRIPS admissions page is currently accepting applications for the 2027–2028 academic year and provides the applicable application guides and forms.
Because deadlines can differ between programs and scholarship routes, applicants should confirm the exact deadline on the official GRIPS page before submitting an application.
Check the Official GRIPS Application Deadlines
Documents Applicants Should Prepare Early
Applicants are encouraged to prepare the following documents in advance:
- Academic certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Passport
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Research Proposal, where required
- Recommendation letters
- English proficiency test results, where required
- Certificate of Employment, where required
- Financial documents, where applicable
- Other documents specified by the selected program
Do not wait until the application deadline to begin collecting official academic documents.
Why Study at GRIPS?
GRIPS offers international students the opportunity to study policy-related subjects in Tokyo while learning alongside students and professionals from different countries.
The institute reports that international students make up more than 60% of its enrollment and that thousands of international students have completed programs at GRIPS. Its graduates include professionals working in governments and other organizations around the world.
The institution's programs are particularly relevant for applicants interested in careers in:
- Government
- Public administration
- International organizations
- Economic policy
- Development
- International relations
- Public finance
- Research
- Science and technology policy
- International security
Application Link
Applicants interested in the GRIPS 2027–2028 admissions cycle should use the official GRIPS application portal and carefully follow the instructions for their selected program.
APPLY HERE – GRIPS Official Application Page
Official GRIPS Links
Admissions:
GRIPS Admissions
How to Apply:
GRIPS How to Apply
Application Deadlines:
GRIPS Application Deadlines
Scholarships, Tuition and Fees:
GRIPS Scholarships and Fees
Master's Programs:
GRIPS Master's Programs
Doctoral Programs:
GRIPS Doctoral Programs
GRIPS Official Website:
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
Admissions Email: admissions@grips.ac.jp
Important Note for Tanzanian Applicants
The announcement from the Embassy of Tanzania in Japan is dated 14 August 2026. Applicants from Tanzania should use the Embassy announcement as an important notice, but they should also verify their chosen program, eligibility, scholarship route and deadline directly through the official GRIPS website.
In particular, the current GRIPS website confirms that the 2027–2028 admission cycle is open/available, while it also states that EPP applications are suspended for 2027–2028.
Applicants should therefore rely on the latest official GRIPS application guide for the final requirements before submitting their applications.
Source: Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Japan and the official National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).