The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) has been started in Bhutan since 2018. Up to the present, total of 51 Fellows (47 master's and 4 PhD) have been sent to Japan.
JDS is now inviting potential applicants who understand its aims and are interested in 2-year master's degree / 3-year PhD program at the Japanese accepting universities for the academic year 2025-2026.
The program will be instructed in English. The number of dispatches is 9 Masters and 1 PhD per year.
Nationality | Citizens of the Kingdom of Bhutan |
Age | Age of 45 or younger as of 1 April, 2025 (Born on/after 2 April, 1979) |
Academic Background |
|
Other requirements or desirability of academic background *Some accepting universities have other requirements or desirable academic background. Check "Accepting University" in "Information of Each Sub-Program / Component" and "University Information" on Application Guidelines. |
|
Work Experience |
|
English Proficiency | Have good command of both written and spoken English |
Health Condition | Have a sound mind and body |
Ineligibility |
Applicants who fall under the following is NOT eligible to apply.
|
Please also check framework and university information.
Schedule | Steps | Description |
Dec. 16 - Jan. 10, 2025 | JDS Application |
Closing Date: Jan 10, 2025 Note: You have to be short-listed after screening by RCSC to apply for JDS. |
Jan. 2025 | Academic aptitude test | IELTS and Math test※1: The test results will be used as references by the universities in later selection stages. |
Feb. 2025 | 1st Selection | Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities. |
Feb. 2025 | Health Checkup | In February, a health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Thimphu. |
Mar. 2025 | 2nd Selection | Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese universities will conduct their interview exams. |
Mar. 2025 | 3rd Selection | Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams. "Approval letter" will be required※2 |
Mar. 2025 | Approval by the OC | Successful candidates will be approved and notified. |
Mar.-Apr. 2025 | Admission Procedure | JICE will support admission for each university. |
Apr. - Aug. 2025 | Orientations | Provided by RCSC, JICA, and JICE |
Aug. 2025 | Departure for Japan | JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and support after the arrival in Japan. |
Nationality | Citizens of the Kingdom of Bhutan |
Age | Age of 45 or younger as of April 1, 2025 (Born on/after April 2, 1979) |
Academic Background |
* The specialization will depend on the field of study chosen by the applicant and approved by the respective institution, according to the critical needs of the institution and the country. |
Work Experience |
|
English Proficiency | Have proficiency in English, sufficiently fluent for studying in Japan. |
Health Condition | Have a sound mind and body |
Others |
NOTE for who plans to apply to Ritsumeikan University Please inform JICE that you are planning to ask Ritsumeikan University's expected academic advisor(s) to issue a recommendation letter before contacting Ritsumeikan University. |
Ineligibility |
|
Schedule | Steps | Description |
Dec.16 - Feb.7, 2025 | JDS Application |
Closing Date: Feb 7, 2025 Note: You have to be short-listed after screening by RCSC to apply for JDS. |
Jan. 2025 | Academic aptitude test |
IELTS test The test results will be used as references by the universities in later selection stages. |
Feb. 2025 | (if any) 1st Selection |
Document Screening (if required): Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Operating Committee members. |
Feb. 2025 | Health Checkup | The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Thimphu. |
Mar. 2025 | 2nd Selection | Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams. |
Mar. 2025 | Approval by the OC | Successful candidates will be approved and notified. |
Mar.-Jun. 2025 | Examination by University | The final successful candidate(s) need to pass entrance examination by the university. |
~Jul. 2025 | Application Procedure | JICE will support application for each university. |
Apr. - Aug. 2025 | Orientations | Provided by RCSC, JICA, and JICE |
Aug. 2025 | Departure for Japan | JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan |
Please download the Application Guidelines and submit a full set of application documents by the deadline.
<Notes> Password is required to download the documents. If you don't have the password, click the link below the log-in box. A password request form will appear, fill out necessary information, and click "Submit". After that, password for document downloading will be appeared on your screen.
STEP 1: Download the Application Guidelines and Prescribed Forms (referred to No. 4)
STEP 2: Prepare the required documents
Refer to P.2 in Application Guidelines(Master) and P.5(PhD), and make sure to prepare all the required documents in appropriate file format.
STEP 3: Access the Online Application System
Complete your application by filling out the necessary information and uploading the required documents.
STEP 4: Receive an E-mail
[Submission Succeeded] You will receive a confirmation email with registration No.
[Submission Failed] You will receive an error message - please contact JICE JDS Project Office immediately, and make sure to complete your application before the deadline.
Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as Math test in Thimphu.
The scores will be reviewed on the 1st selection by the accepting universities. The universities may require the applicants to have good command of English skill (IELTS over 6.0) and numeracy skills. Please be well prepared for the tests.
* Applicants for Ritsumeikan University are exempted from math test based on the requirement from the university.
For further information, following seminars are scheduled.
Online Seminars:
Sep 25 (Wed), from 11:00 am
Sep 30 (Mon), from 2:30 pm
Oct 8 (Tue), from 11:00am
In-person Seminars:
Oct 4 (Fri), from 2:30 pm in Thimphu
Oct 7 (Mon), from 11:00 am at Wangdue Phodrang
Oct 10 (Thu) , from 11:00 am at Paro