Want to study in Japan? GRIPS opens 2027–28 admissions for master's and PhD programs

The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan, has started accepting applications for its 2027–28 academic session, offering international students, including applicants from India, opportunities to pursue master's and doctoral degrees with scholarship support.

The institute offers postgraduate courses in public policy, governance, public finance, macroeconomic policy, maritime safety and security, and science, technology, and innovation policy.

Eligible candidates can explore funding through the Japanese government's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship, the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship program (ADB-JSP), and other international funding schemes.

The admission cycle provides opportunities across one-year and two-year master's programs, as well as three-year and five-year doctoral programs. However, scholarship availability, eligibility conditions, and application deadlines vary according to the selected course and funding provider.

GRIPS Japan 2027–28: Master's and PhD programs

GRIPS offers several master's programs for candidates interested in public administration, economic policy, governance, and international affairs.

The available options include the One-Year Master's Program of Public Policy (MP1) and the Two-Year Master's Program of Public Policy (MP2). Students can also apply to the Macroeconomic Policy Program and the Public Finance Program.

The institute additionally offers the Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program for candidates interested in maritime governance, international security, and related policy areas.

The Macroeconomic Policy Program provides one-year and two-year study options. However, applications to this program are restricted to externally funded and self-financed candidates.

The same funding restriction applies to the Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program, which is available to international applicants who have external financial support or intend to finance their studies independently.

At the doctoral level, candidates can choose from five-year and three-year research pathways. The five-year options include the GRIPS Global Governance Program (G-cube) and the Policy Analysis Program.

The institute also offers a three-year PhD in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. The program focuses on the relationship between technological developments, innovation, and public policymaking.

One important change in the 2027–28 admission cycle concerns the Economics, Planning and Public Policy Program (EPP). GRIPS has suspended applications to this program for the upcoming academic year, with admissions expected to resume in 2028–29.

Scholarships available for international students

GRIPS lists multiple scholarship opportunities for international applicants seeking financial assistance to study in Japan. These include the Japanese government's MEXT Scholarship, the Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship program (ADB-JSP), and other externally funded schemes.

The MEXT Scholarship, awarded through university recommendation, is available for selected master's and doctoral programs. For the 2027–28 intake, the eligible courses include the Global Governance and Policy Analysis doctoral programs and the one-year and two-year master's programs in public policy.

The ADB-JSP provides financial support to eligible candidates from developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank. At GRIPS, the scholarship supports applicants seeking admission to the one-year and two-year master's programs in public policy.

Another funding opportunity is the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship program (JJ/WBGSP), which supports eligible professionals from developing countries pursuing selected postgraduate courses related to development.

Candidates can also explore the Japan-World Customs Organization Human Resource Development program scholarship, which supports specialized education in customs administration, international trade, and related policy areas.

JICA scholarships are another funding option for eligible international applicants. However, availability depends on the specific program and sponsorship conditions.

Scholarship benefits differ according to the funding scheme. Depending on the award, financial assistance may cover tuition fees, admission costs, monthly stipends, and other study-related expenses. Some scholarships may also provide international travel support.

Applicants should check the individual scholarship guidelines before applying. Certain funding schemes require nomination or sponsorship through an eligible government agency, organization, or institution.

GRIPS admission 2027–28: Eligibility criteria

Candidates applying to master's programs and five-year doctoral programs must hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.

Applicants seeking admission to the three-year doctoral programs must possess a master's degree or an equivalent qualification.

In addition to academic qualifications, scholarship applicants may need to meet specific nationality, age, professional experience, and other conditions prescribed by the funding provider.

For instance, ADB-JSP applicants must belong to an eligible developing member country and satisfy the program's professional experience and other eligibility requirements.

Meeting GRIPS's academic admission requirements does not automatically make a candidate eligible for financial assistance. Scholarship selection is conducted separately and depends on the conditions and selection procedures of each funding scheme.

The programs may be relevant to graduates interested in public administration, governance, economics, public finance, international relations, development policy, and maritime security. Government officials, development professionals, economists, researchers, and other specialists can also explore the available courses, subject to the respective admission requirements.

GRIPS application deadlines for 2027–28

Candidates applying through the MEXT university-recommended scholarship, ADB-JSP, and selected externally funded or self-financed routes must complete their online registration by Nov 20, 2026, at 5 pm Japan Standard Time (JST).

The supporting documents for these applications must reach the GRIPS Admissions Office by Nov 27, 2026, at 5 pm JST.

Other scholarship categories follow separate application schedules. Applications under the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship program and the Japan-WCO Human Resource Development program are due in February 2027.

Certain JICA-funded and self-financed applications have deadlines in April 2027. Candidates should consult the admission guidelines for the exact dates applicable to their chosen program and funding category.

How to apply for GRIPS Japan admission 2027–28

Interested candidates must download the relevant application guidelines and forms from the institute's official website. They must complete the online registration process and submit the required supporting documents to the GRIPS Admissions Office by post.

Applicants should carefully review the admission requirements, available scholarship categories, and course-specific conditions before submitting their applications. They must also confirm whether their selected program is covered by the scholarship they intend to pursue.

Indian students can access program details, application instructions, eligibility conditions, and scholarship information through the official GRIPS admissions portal.

With multiple postgraduate courses and international funding opportunities, the 2027–28 admission cycle offers eligible candidates an opportunity to pursue advanced studies in public policy, economics, governance, and technology-related policymaking in Japan.