Joint Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program for Public Policy and Taxation
International Graduate School of Social Sciences, Yokohama National University

The World Bank annually awards five scholarships to the PPT program. The first level of screening of candidates will be done at Yokohama National University. The final decision regarding scholarship recipients will be made by the World Bank.

The scholarship covers a monthly allowance of JPY170,000 (the amount is subject to change), and a round-trip air ticket to Japan plus a travel allowance of JPY60,000. The monthly stipend is intended to cover living, commuting and other incidental expenses during the student’s study period. The next scholarship program runs from April 2012 to March 2014. This cannot be changed under any circumstances. In addition, the scholarship covers tuition, entrance examination and admission fees. Travel expenses for some program-sponsored field trips are also included.

JOINT JAPAN/WORLD BANK GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM EMPLOYMENT POLICY FOR JJ/WBGSP SCHOLARS

The Grant Agreement between the World Bank and the Government of Japan states: “It is anticipated that scholars would return to their countries to apply their enhanced knowledge and skills towards helping accelerate the pace of economic and social development.”

To maintain high levels of home return, it has been an established agreement between the Government of Japan (the sole Program donor) and the World Bank that JJ/WBGSP scholars are not entitled to seek employment of any kind at the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for three years after they finish their academic program.

The three-year employment restriction applies to World Bank and IMF headquarters and field offices. This restriction covers regular staff appointments, short term consulting contracts, and all other types of employment during the three-year period.

Eligibility
Applicants should:

1. be between the age of 25 and 45;
2. be nationals of a World Bank borrowing member country;
3. be mid-career professionals in public service;
4. be of good character, a team player and active in extracurricular activities;
5. hold, at minimum, a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a development-related field; and
6. have at least four years of recent full-time professional experience in a field related to economic development or public policy, in the applicant’s home country or in another developing country

The following applicants are NOT eligible:

1. those currently pursuing a Master’s or PH.D. program in industrialized countries;
2. those who have had one or more years of training/studies and/or residency in an industrialized country;
3. permanent residents/nationals of industrialized countries;
4. Executive Directors, their Alternates, and staff of the World Bank Group (the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) including consultants, as well as their close relatives.)

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:

1. are 35 years old or younger,
2. are currently holding an official position in the field of tax administration,
3. can receive an official leave of absence during the period of study,
4. are planning to return to the equivalent position (including the current one) in their home country after s/he completes the program,
5. are recommended by appropriate government agencies,
6. submitted GRE scores.

Application Requirements
The following are the documents to be submitted in addition to the application form:

1. English proficiency: Each applicant must demonstrate a proficiency in English sufficient for undertaking instruction in that language. In this regard, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 for the paper-based, 213 for the computer based, 79 for the internet based or IELTS score of 6.0 is required for entrance into the program. The only documents we accept are official TOEFL scores sent directly by Educational Testing System (ETS) or official IELTS sores sent directly by British Council. Please refer to the TOEFL webpage or the IELTS webpage where you can obtain information regarding the examination. The institution code for Yokohama National University for TOEFL is 0410. Choose 84 (economics) as the department code. The only exception is the case in which the primary language of instruction at the applicant’s undergraduate institution is English. In this case, you must include an official letter obtained from the university confirming this information. In any event, those applicants who do submit TOEFL or IELTS scores will be given priority in the selection process. We do NOT accept copies of TOEFL and IELTS scores directly sent by applicants, the results of the TOEFL institutional exam, or any other exams conducted by private agencies.
2. Two letters of recommendation: One must be from a supervisor at your workplace, and the other must be from a faculty member of the university from which you obtained your bachelor’s degree. Letters of recommendation must be submitted in an envelope sealed by the reference.
3. Official academic transcript: Only an official transcript in a sealed envelope issued by your university or school will be accepted.
4. Statement of purpose (1,200 words or less): Be concise and specific in preparing your statement, giving information which will aid the selection committee in evaluating your potential for completing the program. Use the form provided with the application form, attaching an additional sheet if needed. Please type.

Telephone interviews may be conducted to assess English proficiency and/or to confirm any other information contained in the applicant’s file. Applicants who cannot be reached for a telephone interview will become ineligible.

Lastly, although this is not required, if you have taken the GRE, please have the official score sent to the program. Those who present GRE scores will be considered favorably in the selection process.

How to Apply
Application forms will be mailed upon request, and are not available through website or email. To receive an application or for more information, please direct inquiries to:

MPE Office
Email: is-mpe@ml.ynu.ac.jp
Fax +81-45-339-3608

Inquiries by telephone will not be accepted.

The following materials constitute your application:

• Application Form
• Statement of Purpose
• Two Confidential Letters of Recommendation
• Return Address Label
• Official Academic Transcript
• Official TOEFL/IELTS Score or a letter from your undergraduate institution confirming that the primary language of instruction is English.
• Official GRE Score (if available)

Use the original copy of the application form. We do not accept photocopies. We do not accept applications via fax or email.

Your application should be submitted to the following address:

MPE Office
International Graduate School of Social Sciences
Yokohama National University
79-4 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku
Yokohama, 240-8501 JAPAN

Please note that none of the application materials can be returned to applicants under any circumstances. Also, a medical certificate will be required upon acceptance.

Application Deadline
Application forms for 2012 Admission (for study program from April 2012-March 2014) are available from March 2011. Applications for the 2012 admission must reach the MPE Office by NO LATER than September 30, 2011.

For more information, please visit official website: www.igss.ynu.ac.jp.

• Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, Yokohama National University
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• Total Indonesie E&P - Ancora Foundation Graduate Fellowship, Sciences Po, France
• Japan - IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA)
• Doctoral Scholarships in Economics, Barcelona Institute of Economics, Spain
• Women’s Research & Education Institue (WREI) Congressional Fellows on Women and Public Policy, USA
• Postdoctoral Position, Junior Fellowship Ontario Centre for Engineering and Public Policy (OCEPP), Canada

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.