GRIPS Young Leaders’ Program 2027: Fully Funded Master’s in Japan with ¥242,000/Month
What if you could earn a Master’s degree in Japan with tuition covered, airfare provided and ¥242,000 per month?
- Who can applyIndia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the…
- Application feeCovered by MEXT
Overview
The Young Leaders’ Program (YLP) at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) is a Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship designed for promising young professionals and future leaders in public administration and related fields.
For applicants in the Philippines, UP-NCPAG serves as a recommending authority for the relevant YLP track.
The Young Leaders’ Program (YLP) is a Japanese Government scholarship programme that develops future national and international leaders through graduate-level study in Japan.
Selected scholars study at GRIPS, a leading graduate school specializing in public policy and related fields.
The programme is particularly suited to professionals who want to strengthen their expertise in public administration, governance, policy and development and use that experience in their future careers.
At a glance
About
- Opportunity type
- Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship
- Host institution
- National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan
- Location
- Tokyo, Japan
- Scholarship provider
- Japanese Government (MEXT)
- Target audience
- Young professionals and future leaders in public administration and related fields
- Monthly scholarship
- ¥242,000/month based on the current published amount
- Airfare
- Round-trip economy airfare provided under MEXT conditions
Funding
- Admission fee
- Covered by MEXT
- Application fee
- Free
- Tuition
- Fully covered by MEXT
Eligibility
- Study level
- Master’s
- Nationality
- India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Turkey
- Degree required
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, subject to programme requirements
- Work experience
- Relevant professional experience required under the applicable YLP track
- Age requirement
- Applicants must, in principle, be under 40 years of age
- Language
- English
Who can apply
Eligibility depends on the specific YLP school, country and recommending authority.
Applicants generally need to:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country.
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Have relevant professional experience.
- Have a strong academic and professional record.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and an interest in public policy or administration.
- Meet the age requirement specified for the current YLP intake.
- Meet the programme’s English-language requirements.
- Apply through the appropriate recommending authority.
For applicants applying through NCPAG in the Philippines, make sure you follow the requirements and selection process specified by NCPAG.
How to apply
The application process depends on your country and the relevant YLP recommending authority.
For applicants applying through NCPAG:
- Check the current YLP eligibility requirements.
- Confirm that you meet the academic, professional and age requirements.
- Prepare your application documents.
- Submit your application through the designated NCPAG process.
- Follow the selection and nomination process.
- If nominated, complete the subsequent MEXT/GRIPS procedures.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The MEXT scholarship provides major financial support, including:
- Full tuition fees
- Admission fee
- Application fee
- ¥242,000 monthly scholarship based on the current published amount
- Round-trip airfare between the scholar’s home country and Japan under MEXT conditions
The monthly scholarship is intended to support living expenses during the study period.
The exact scholarship amount and conditions can change by academic year.
Are There Any Hidden Charges?
The MEXT scholarship application itself is free.
MEXT covers the application, admission and tuition fees for successful scholarship recipients.
However, “fully funded” does not necessarily mean that you will have zero personal expenses before or during the programme.
You may still need to budget for expenses such as:
- Passport fees
- Document preparation or certification
- Translation costs, where required
- Medical examination or related documentation
- Travel expenses connected with the application/interview process, where applicable
- Personal expenses not covered by the monthly scholarship
These costs can vary depending on your country and circumstances.
Important: Don’t Confuse YLP-MEXT With Self-Funded GRIPS Admission
GRIPS also has separate self-financed admission routes with application, admission and tuition fees.
Those fees should not be treated as costs for successful YLP-MEXT scholars, because the MEXT scholarship covers the applicable university fees.
Don’t Miss the Next Hidden Gem
A Japanese Government scholarship + ¥242,000/month + tuition + airfare makes the GRIPS Young Leaders’ Program a serious opportunity for aspiring public-sector and policy leaders.
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Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
Education: Master’s
Work experience: Relevant professional experience required under the applicable YLP track
Age: Applicants must, in principle, be under 40 years of age
Is there an application fee?
When is the deadline?
How do I apply?
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