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 2 year master's degree program at Japanese accepting universities for the academic year 2026-2027.
The program will be instructed in English.
The number of dispatches is 30 (Master course) per year.
| Nationality | Citizens of Bangladesh |
| Age |
Below Forty (40) years as of April 1st, 2026 (Born on/after 2 April 1986) |
| Academic Background |
No Third Division/Class or equivalent to First Division Class |
|
Other requirements or desirability of academic background Keio University and Kyushu University in Conponent1-2 have requirement for academic background. Check P16 [Information of Each Sub-Program / Component] for more details. |
|
| Work Experience |
To be a confirmed member 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, with at least two (2) years of work experience at time of application |
| English Proficiency | Have a good command of both written and spoken English, Submitting the IELTS score is mandatory. IELTS 6.0 or higher is preferable. The IELTS score taken after 1 June 2024 is valid. (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.) |
| Health Condition | Mentally and physically in good health |
| Ineligibility |
A person who corresponds to the followings is not eligible to apply
|
| Others | Female candidates are encouraged to apply |
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 40 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 |
Notes : Submit your application through Online Application System.
For more details, refer to "Apply Now"
| Schedule | Steps | Description |
| 6th December 2025 - 6th January 2026 |
Application |
Closing Date: 5:00 p.m. on 6th January (Tuesday) 2026 Further details → "Application Documents" (P6) in Application Guidelines. |
| January 2026 | Academic aptitude test |
IELTS and Math tests: The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages. If you take IELTS Test, you must apply through on-line form by the closing date, submit the screen shot of your application page. * Applicants for Keio University are exempted from the Math test |
| 6th February 2026 - 6th March 2026 |
1st Selection | Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities. |
| March-April 2026 | Health Checkup | The health checkup will be arranged at a designated hospital in Dhaka. |
| March-April 2026 | 2nd Selection | Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will conduct their interview exams in Dhaka or through video interview system. |
| March-April 2026 | 3rd Selection | Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams. |
| April 2026 | Approval by the OC | Successful candidates will be approved and notified. |
| March - April 2026 | Application Procedure | JICE will support application procedure for each university. |
| July, 2026 | Training Course | Japanese Language Training Course |
| July 2026 | Orientations | Provided by JICA, Embassy of Japan and JICE |
| August 2026 | Departure to Japan | JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan. |
Please refer to the Application Guidelines and submit a full set of application documents by the deadline.
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In the JDS selections, each candidate will be evaluated on her/his academic abilities enough to pursue the master's degree program in Japan as well as the potential of the future contribution to the country. Thus, it is highly recommended to explain that the objective of your research plan be in connection with the development issues under applying Component, and to rationalize how the study will be addressed in accordance with the career path, corresponding to the current position and responsibility in the belonging organization.
It is also recommended to study your applying university to make sure if the curriculums of the university 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.
●University Information / Request form for JDS Accepting University's Introductory/Explanatory Video
Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as math test in Dhaka on January, 2026.
* Applicants for Keio University and Kyushu University are exempted from the Math test.
The scores will be reviewed in the 1st selection by the accepting universities. Universities may require the applicants to have good command of English (IELTS) and Math numeracy skills. Please be well prepared for the exams.
