Bangladesh

Top › Bangladesh › Application（Doctor）

Application（Doctor）

Table of Contents

Introduction
Applicant Eligibility
Selection Procedures
Download of Application Guidelines
and Application Documents
Research Plan
Supportive videos and Information for the application
English & Math Test

1. Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) has been launched in Bangladesh in 2001. Up to the present, total of 590 Fellows (567 Master's and 23 Doctoral Fellows) have been sent to Japan.
JDS is now inviting potential applicants who understand its aims and are interested in 3 year doctoral degree program at Japanese accepting universities for the academic year 2026-2027.
The program will be instructed in English.

2. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality	Citizens of Bangladesh
Age	Below Forty-Five(45) years as of April 1st, 2026 (Born on/after 2 April 1981)
Academic Background	Completed a Master's course in Japan (not limited to those who studied under JDS) returned to and worked at the target organization for at least 2 years after completion of Master's course in Japan have published at least one peer-reviewed article/ paper or has a prospect for publication of a peer-reviewed article/ paper* in a related field of the research plan.
Work Experience	Belong to the Target Organizations of JDS Project in Bangladesh with at least two (2) years of work experience after completing master's degree in Japan at time of application.(To be confirmed members of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Cadres, Bangladesh Bank Class-1 Officials, Bangladesh Judicial Service (BJS) Officials and 1st Class Officials of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division in Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Receive a recommendation from the supervisor of his/her current duty office. Have a recommendation from the expected academic adviser(s) of the applying university
English Proficiency	Have a good command of both written and spoken English, Submitting the IELTS score is mandatory. (JICE will arrange IELTS Test for those who don't have valid score. The score result can be used only for JDS selections but not for other purposes.) *Waseda University English Score Requirements：Only the English scores obtained on or after September 22, 2024, are valid. TOEIC scores taken outside Japan are not accepted.
Health Condition	Mentally and physically in good health
Ineligibility	A person who corresponds to the followings is not eligible to apply Those who is currently receiving (or scheduled to receive) another scholarship (including other scholarships of Japan) Those who have obtained a Doctoral Degree overseas under the support of foreign scholarship Those who have completed a Doctoral degree under deputation or study leave after joining the Civil Service, Judicial Service, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division or, Bangladesh Bank Exception: Those who attended online or evening courses without taking paid leave are eligible to apply Military personnel and military civilian employees registered on the active list, and also personnel on temporary leave from the active list
Others	Female candidates are encouraged to apply

3. Selection Procedures

1) Recruitment Seminars

Recruitment Seminars are scheduled to be held as below, aiming at providing the prospective applicants with more detailed information on JDS Project and how to prepare the application documents.
The URL for online participation will be posted at a later date.

Place	Date & Time	Targeted Participants
Chattogram Divisional Commissioner's Office & Online participating	22nd December 10:00 -	In-person: Below 45 years aged BCS Cadre Officers and BJS officials working in Chattogram Division invited by the Divisional Commissioner Online: Prospective JDS Program applicants
MOPA Seminar *Tentative	23 December 11:00 -	Officers of Ministry of Public Administration Online: Prospective JDS Program applicants
Bangladesh Bank Jahangir Alam Conference Hall, 4th Floor	28th December 11:00 - 13:00	Officers of Bangladesh Bank

2) Application Deadline

Deadline for Application: 5:00PM January 6, 2026

Notes: Submit your application through Online Application System.
For more details, refer to "Apply Now"

Online Application should be done by online application system of JICE.
An academic reference letter is submitted by the supervisor to JICE upon the applicant's request.
Applicants should either attach the permission letter specifically for the JDS 2025 Doctoral degree application from their Controlling Authority in the online application system, or ensure that the Controlling Authority forwards it directly to the JICE Bangladesh Office by the above deadline. The Application which is NOT submitted the permission letter will be regarded ineligible.
Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.

3) Tentative Schedule

2025		2026
Dec.2025. - Jan.2026	Feb.2026 - Apr.2026		Mar. - Jun.	Mar. - July.	Aug.	Sep. or Oct.
Call for Application	Selection by OC		Application for the University	Screening by the University	Arrival in Japan	Enrollment in the University

*OC=JDS Operating Committee

During the selection stage, only transportation cost form outside of Dhaka to attend OC interview, Health check-up and IELTS will be covered by JDS Project.
Application Documents will not be returned. Please keep a copy of your documents for yourself.
A result of selection will be announced to all candidates by Email.
In principle, reasons of the selection-results will not be opened. Do not directly inquire to universities.
Failure to participate the selection and interview will cause to automatic disqualification from selection process.
Each successful candidate will be requested to sign and submit "JDS Pledge" to comply with the conditions and rules as scholarship fellows under the JDS Project.

4. Download of Application Guidelines and Application Documents

Please refer to the Application Guidelines and submit a full set of application documents by the deadline.

Download

Application Guidelines
Prescribed Forms of Application Documents

5. Research Plan

In the JDS selection process, each candidate will be evaluated on their academic ability to successfully pursue a doctoral degree program in Japan, as well as their potential to contribute to their country in the future. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you clearly explain the objective of your research plan in relation to the development issues under the applied component, and justify how your study aligns with your career path and corresponds to your current position and responsibilities within your organization.

It is also recommended to review the university you are applying to make sure if their curriculums and fields of specialization of faculty members are relevant to your research.

Remember that plagiarism is strongly prohibited.

Please refer to 'Guidelines for Writing a Research Plan' (P10) in the Application Guidelines for more information.

6. Supportive videos and Information for the application

How to write a research plan [27 min]

Tips for the selection [20 min]

Bengali Instruction Video (For Master's) [21 min]

7. English & Math Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) in Dhaka on January, 2026.

IELTS consists of 4 parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Speaking test will be held on another day, which will be notified by British Council through SMS or email.
- Please upload IELTS score sheet on the Application Form if you have the valid one (Score should be 6.0 or higher and valid until 31st May 2026.) Otherwise, please choose "I need to take IELTS" on the Online Application Form.

【Note】Waseda University requires only the English scores obtained on or after September 22,2024.
TOEIC scores taken outside Japan are not acceptable.

Go to "Top" page