JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Bhutan

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Application

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Applicant Eligibility and Tentative Schedule for application
    - Master course
    - Doctoral course
  3. Research Plan
  4. Download of AG and AD
  5. Supportive videos for the shortlisted candidates by RCSC
  6. Apply Now
  7. English & Math Exam
  8. Promotion Seminars

1. Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) started in Bhutan in 2018. Since then, a total of 59 Fellows (54 master's and 5 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 2026-2027.
The program will be instructed in English. The number of dispatches is 8 Master's and 1 PhD per year.

movie-icon This is JDS - Outline of JDS Project

2. Applicant Eligibility and Tentative schedule for application

2-1. Master's course

(1) Qualifications and Requirements of Applicant

Nationality Citizens of the Kingdom of Bhutan
Age Age of 45 or younger as of 1 April, 2026 (Born on/after 2 April, 1980)
Academic Background
  • Be a holder of bachelor's degree (recognized by the Royal Government of Bhutan or other countries)
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
  • Have 2 years or more of work experience in Professional & Management Category (PMC) at the time of RCSC application (such experiences shall be related to applying Sub-Program/Component).
  • Be a regular (permanent) government employee
  • Belong to the service listed for each Component under specified Super Structure Groups.
    *Further status in a certain Major Occupational Group (MoG) is necessary for components2-1 and 2-2.
    *See "Framework of JDS Bhutan" on Application Guidelines for details.
English Proficiency Have a good command of both written and spoken English language proficiency.
Health Condition Be in good physical and mental condition
Ineligibility A person who falls under the following is NOT eligible to apply.
  • Currently awarded or scheduled to receive another scholarship.
  • Have already obtained a master's or higher degree.
  • Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service.

*Please also check framework and university information.

(2) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Sep. 1 - Nov. 21, 2025 Apply to RCSC Please submit the required documents to RCSC routed through Parent Agency and Working Agency.
Dec. 1 - Dec. 29, 2025 JDS Application Closing Date: Dec. 29th, 2025
 Note: You have to be short-listed after screening by RCSC to apply for JDS.
Jan. 2026 Academic aptitude test IELTS and Math test※1: The test results will be used as references by the universities in later selection stages.
Jan. - Feb. 2026 1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities.
Jan. - Feb. 2026 Health Checkup At the end of January, a health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Thimphu.
Mar. 2026 2nd Selection Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese universities will conduct their interview exams.
Mar. 2026 3rd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams. "Approval letter" will be required※2
Mar. 2026 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified.
Mar. - Apr. 2026 Admission Procedure JICE will support admission for each university.
Apr. - Aug. 2026 Orientations Provided by RCSC, JICA, and JICE
Aug. 2026 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and support after the arrival in Japan.
Note:
  • 1. Applicants for Ritsumeikan University are exempted from math test based on the requirement from the university.
  • 2. Candidates will be required to submit the "Approval Letter" before undergoing the final interview. The letter form will be provided to the candidates who have passed the 2nd selection. At this selection stage, those candidates are close to reaching an acceptable level once they pass the final selection. Therefore, "Approval Letter" is a kind of preliminary confirmation-letter to confirm if their workplace can release the candidates from their work duties keeping their positions in the workplaces while they study in Japan for 2 years.
<Important Notes>
  • All the selection costs will be covered by JDS.
  • Limited transportation and accommodation allowance will be provided to candidates coming from regional areas for the selections.
  • Application Documents with false statements or plagiarism will be immediately disqualified.
  • A result of each selection will be announced only to successful candidates by JICE JDS Project Office.
  • In principle, reasons of the selection-results will not be disclosed.

(3) Application Deadline

STEP 1
Application to RCSC routed through Parent Agency
By Nov. 21, 2025
〇
Shortlist Announcement by RCSC
Dec. 1, 2025
STEP 2
Online JDS Application
Dec. 1 - Dec. 29, 2025
  • * Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.
  • * Those who are shortlisted by RCSC only can apply for JDS application.

2-2. Doctoral course

(1) Qualifications and Requirements of Applicant

Nationality Citizens of the Kingdom of Bhutan
Age Age of 45 or younger as of April 1, 2026 (Born on/after April 2, 1980)
Academic Background
  • Be a regular (permanent) civil servant
  • Have obtained a master's degree in related fields below (in any country):
    ◼️Economics
    ◼️Engineering
    ◼️Seismology
    ◼️Flood Disaster
    ◼️Data Analytics/mining
*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.

* Those who have master's degree in economics in Japan or ex-participants of JICA training are preferable.
Work Experience
  • Be a regular (permanent) government employee or a regular (permanent) faculty of RUB.
    *If there are applications from both civil servants and RUB, civil servants are preferred in the selection process.
  • Have served for twice the duration of the LTT (long-term training) to obtain the master's degree.
English Proficiency Have proficiency in English, sufficiently fluent for studying in Japan.
Health Condition Have a sound mind and body
Others
  • Have published at least one peer-reviewed article/ paper*.
    *A paper which has been submitted to a journal and being reviewed.
    *An applicant who has a concrete plan to publish a peer-reviewed article in an academic journal in collaboration with his/her intended faculty supervisor.
  • Have a recommendation from the expected academic advisor(s) of the applying university.
    *Reference Letter should contain evaluation of applicant's performance at work and relevance of his/her research theme to his/her career.
  • Have a recommendation from the supervisor of his/her current duty office.

NOTE for those planning to apply to Ritsumeikan University

Please inform JICE of your plans to request Ritsumeikan University's expected academic advisor(s) to issue you a recommendation letter before contacting the university.
Ineligibility A person who falls under the following is NOT eligible to apply.
  • Currently awarded or to be awarded a scholarship from other foreign donors.
  • Has already obtained a doctoral degree.
  • Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service.

(2) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Sep. 1 - Nov. 21, 2025 Apply to RCSC Please submit the required documents to RCSC routed through Parent Agency and Working Agency.
Dec. 1, 2025 - Jan. 30, 2026 JDS Application Closing Date: Jan. 30th, 2026
 Note: You have to be short-listed after screening by RCSC to apply for JDS.
Jan. 2026 Academic aptitude test IELTS test
The test results will be used as references by the universities in later selection stages.
Jan. - Feb. 2026 (if any) 1st Selection Document Screening (if required):
Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Operating Committee members.
Jan. - Feb. 2026 Health Checkup The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Thimphu.
Mar. 2026 2nd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams.
Mar. 2026 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified.
Mar. - Jun. 2026 Examination by University The final successful candidate will need to pass the entrance examination by the university.
- Jul. 2026 Application Procedure JICE will support application for each university.
Apr. - Aug. 2026 Orientations Provided by RCSC, JICA, and JICE
Aug. 2026 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan

(3) Application Deadline

STEP 1
Application to RCSC routed through Parent Agency
By Nov. 21, 2025
〇
Shortlist Announcement by RCSC
Dec. 1, 2025
STEP 2
Online JDS Application
Dec. 1, 2025 - Jan. 30, 2026
  • * Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.
  • * Those who are shortlisted by RCSC only can apply for JDS application.

3. Research Plan

  • In the JDS selections, each candidate will be evaluated on her/his academic abilities enough to pursue the master program in Japan as well as the potential of the future contribution to the country. Thus, it is highly recommended to explain the objective of your research plan 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.
    research
  • 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 plagiarize from somebody's work or websites are strongly prohibited.
    Please refer to 'Tips on Application and Selection' and 'Guidelines for Writing a Research Plan' in the Application Guidelines(P6) for more information.

4. Download of Application Guideline and Application Documents

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

download Download
  1. Application Guidelines
  2. Prescribed Forms

<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, so fill out necessary information, and click "Submit". JICE JDS office will send you the password by e-mail. (Please call JDS if you do not receive the email.)

5. Supportive videos for the application

movie-icon How to write a research plan (27 min)
movie-icon Tips for the selection (20 min)

6. Apply Now

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.

Master's course

APPLY

Doctoral course

APPLY
  • * If you cannot access the online application system, or you have any problem filling out the form, please contact JICE JDS Project Office.
  • * Once you submit your application, you will not be allowed to modify it.

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.

7. English & Math Exam

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.

8. Promotion Seminars　(for both Master's course and Doctoral course)

For further information, following seminars are scheduled.

Online Seminars:
Sep 4 (Thu), from 11:00 am
Sep 8 (Mon), from 3:00 pm
Sep 16 (Tue) from 11:00 am
Sep 18 (Thu) from 3:00 pm
Sep 26 (Fri) from 11:00 am（Special Seminar only for Female Applicants）
Oct 6 (Mon) from 3:00 pm

In-person Seminars:
Sep 10 (Wed), from 3:00 pm in Thimphu
Sep 29 (Mon), in Phuntsholing

Scan to register
  • Please check JDS Bhutan FB for further information.
  • Registration is required. You can register by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below.
    → Once you complete your registration, details of seminar will be sent to your email address.
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