Republic of Kenya

Top › Republic of Kenya › Master's Degree Program

Application for JDS 2023 is already closed.

Master's Degree Program

Table of Contents

Applicant Eligibility
Selection Procedures
How to Apply
Research Plan
Supportive videos for the application
English & Math Exam

1. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality	Citizens of Kenya
Age	Below the age of 40 as of April 1st, 2024 (=Born on/after April 2, 1984) (* Below the age of 45 for the central government who have experienced/will involve in policy making and evaluation process.)
Occupation	Public Servants at Target Organization
Work Experience	Applicants must have both of following experiences; Currently employed in the Target Organizations as a permanent and pensionable employee (Except contract staff). Required at least 2 (two) years of work experience as public servants including a period of probation as a permanent and pensionable employee at the time of application (Part time jobs and volunteer activities are not counted as work experience).
Academic Background	Possess a Bachelor's degree from universities authorized by the Government of Kenya or other countries. 16 years of formal education is required (in principle), however, relevant academic/research career or working experience can be considered as the alternative to meet the requirement. English Proficiency: IELTS 6.0 or higher is preferable (not required)
Health Condition	Mentally and physically in good health. Note: Applicants need to take and pass all medical check-up prior to the technical interview. This medical check-up is arranged by JDS Project Office. Applicant who cannot take or pass all medical check-up will be disqualified from JDS scholarship.
Others	Candidate has to understand the condition of the scholarship of JDS program, and must return and work in their organization in order to make a contribution to the development of Kenya and be willing to contribute to the partnership of Kenya and Japan. Applicants are expected to have special interest in studying in Japan as well as motivation to utilize their experience and human network developed through JDS in their career Female officers are encouraged to apply.
Ineligibility	A person falls under the following items is not eligible for apply Those who are currently receiving (or is scheduled to receive) another scholarship (including other scholarships of Japan). Those who have obtained a master's or higher degrees overseas under the support of foreign scholarship. Military personnel and military civilian employees registered on the active list, and also personnel on temporary leave from the active list

2. Selection Procedures

1) Promotion Seminars

Promotion Seminars will be scheduled to provide more detailed information on JDS Project and how to prepare application documents for prospective applicants.

For information of promotion seminars, please contact us.

2) Application Deadline

Deadline for Application:
4:00 p.m. on March 8th (Fri), 2024

Deadline Extended:
4:00 p.m. on March 15th (Fri), 2024 (Closed)

Submit your application through Online Application System.
For more details, refer to "3. How to Apply"

Download

Application Guideline
Application Documents

Online Application System

3) Tentative Schedule

Schedule	Steps	Description
~~March 8th, 2024~~ March 15th, 2024	Application	~~Closing Date: 4:00 p.m. on March 8th (Fri), 2024~~ Closing Date: 4:00 p.m. on March 15th (Fri), 2024 (EXTENDED) Further details → Application Guidelines P6 "Application Documents"
March, 2024	Academic aptitude test	IELTS and Math tests ¹ The test results will be used as references by the universities in later selection stages
Early April 2024	1st Selection	Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities.
Mid of April, 2024	Health Checkup	The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Nairobi.
End of April-May, 2024	2nd Selection	Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will conduct interview exams by physical and online.
Mid of May, 2024	3rd Selection	Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams. "Permission letter" will be required ²
End of May, 2024	Approval by the OC	Successful candidates will be approved and notified
Mar.－Apr. 2024	Admission Procedure	JICE will support admission procedure for each university
Jul.	Orientations	Provided by JICA, SDPS and JICE
Aug.	Departure for Japan	JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan

1. Applicants for Kyushu University and Toyo University are exempted from the Math test.

All the selection costs will be covered by JDS Project.
Limited transportation and accommodation allowance will be provided to candidates coming from provincial areas for the selections.
Application Documents will not be returned (Please keep a copy of your documents)
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. How to Apply

STEP 1

Download the Application Guideline and Prescribed Forms

Download

STEP 2

Prepare the required documents

Refer to P6 in Application Guidelines, 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.

Online Application System

* 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 (system)

[Submission Succeeded]

You will receive a confirmation email.

[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.

STEP 5

Submit to Principal Secretary Office

You will receive your Application Documents in PDF from JDS Project Office within 3 business days. If you do not receive an email, please contact JDS Project Office. (First stage of the procedure)
Obtain the Nomination letter and Minutes of HRD Training Committee supporting nomination as may be required from your organization (Consult to your Training Officer) (Highly recommended).
Submit your Application Documents accompanied by the minutes of HRD training committee supporting nomination to Principal Secretary Office for State Department for public service, Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management (SDPS).
JDS Office receives your application from SDPS (Successful submission and final stage of the submission)

Principal Secretary Office for State department for public service,
Ministry of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management
Address: Harambee House 11th Floor, Harambee Avenue P.O Box 30050-00100 Nairobi
Office Hour: 9:00 - 16:30, Monday to Friday

4. 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 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 plagiarize from somebody's work or websites are strongly prohibited.
Please refer to 'Tips on Application and Selection (Reference)' and 'Guideline for Writing a Research Plan' in the Application Guideline for more information.

5. Supportive videos for the application

How to write a research plan (27 min)

Tips for the selection (20 min)

6. English & Math Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as math test in Nairobi on designated date.

Taking an IELTS is required to every qualified applicant. The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages.
- ■ Refer to the link for IELTS sample questions to prepare yourself
- https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/sample-test-questions

Every qualified applicant* will be required to take General Math Test in Nairobi on designated date.
- ■ General Math Test of around 60 minutes consists of Arithmetic operations, Solving fractions, Equations, Inequality, Matrix, Basic quadratic functions, Basic operations of exponential and logarithmic functions, Basic Integral and Differentiation, etc. The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages.
- Past Math test　sample can be also downloaded here.

The scores will be reviewed on the 1st selection by the accepting universities. Universities may require the applicants to have good command of English skill (IELTS 6.0 or higher) and numeracy skills. Please be well prepared for the exams.

* Applicants for Kyushu University and Toyo University are exempted from the Math test.

Go to "About JDS Kenya" page