JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Laos

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Application

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Applicant Eligibility
  3. Explanatory Meeting
  4. Application Deadline
  5. Selection Process (Tentative)
  6. Download of AG and AD
  7. Research Plan
  8. Supportive videos for the application
  9. English & Math Test
  10. Preparatory Training for English and Math test

1. Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) has been started in Lao P.D.R. since 1999. Up to the present, total of 572 Fellows have been sent to Japan.
JDS is now inviting potential applicants who understand its aims and are interested in 2 year master degree program at Japanese accepting universities for the academic year 2027-2028
The program will be instructed in English.
The number of dispatches is 19 per year.

movie-icon This is JDS - Outline of JDS Project

2. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality Citizens of Lao P.D.R.
Age Between 22 and 39 as of April 1st, 2027
(Born on/after April 2nd, 1987 and born on/before April 1st, 2005)
Academic Background Possess a Bachelor Degree from universities authorized by the Government of Lao P.D.R. or other countries.
Work Experience
  • Currently employed in the as a full-time permanent employee at the Target Organization..
  • Have at least 2 (two) years of work experience as a full-time permanent employee at the Target Organization, particularly in work relevant to the selected Component, at the time of application.
English Proficiency Have a good command of both written and spoken English.
IELTS4.5, TOEFL iBT 3.5, TOEIC 520 or higher is preferable (not required).
Health Condition In good mental and physical health
Ineligibility A person who corresponds to the following category is NOT eligible to apply
  • Those who are currently receiving (or are scheduled to receive) another scholarship (including other scholarships of Japan).
  • Those who are recipients of foreign scholarship towards a Master's or Doctoral qualification.
  • Those who have studied abroad for more than 1 year under any scholarship and had returned to Lao P.D.R. within the past 2 years (Applicant must have stayed in Lao P.D.R. from 2024 to the present.).
  • Military personnel and military civilian employees are registered on the active list.
  • Personnel whose career paths are primarily academic, technical, or professional in nature, including:
    • Teachers (including university faculty), lecturers, and researchers.
    • Technical personnel primarily engaged in specialized technical functions, including engineering, information technology, laboratory, inspection, or research work.

    Eligibility will be assessed based on the applicant's actual duties and career path, rather than solely on their official job title.
Others
  • Successful Candidates are required to submit a pledge on the conditions deemed necessary as scholarship participants under the JDS Project.
  • JDS Fellows are obliged to return and work and serve in their organization at least 4 years (2 times of the studied period) in order to make a contribution to the development of Lao P.D.R. through their work in the Target Organizations, complying with the Act of Pledge required by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

3. Explanatory Meeting (Tentative)

Explanatory Meeting is scheduled to provide more detailed information on JDS Project and how to prepare application documents for prospective applicants as follows:

◆October 23rd (Fri.): Main topic will be about application procedure which will help you understand more how to prepare and apply for JDS.

◆October 31st (Sat.): specific topics will be provided to strengthen your application

◆ Online:

Please check our Facebook page for the latest information.

Please check our Facebook page for registration details.

◆ Information Video by Accepting Universities:

Please refer from this page

Please check our Facebook page for the latest information!

Find us on

4. Application Deadline

Deadline for Application: December 27 (Sun) 2026, 23:59

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

*Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.

5. Selection Process (Tentative)

Schedule Steps Description
Oct 01 - Dec 27, 2026 Application Closing Date: December 27(Sun) 2026, 23:59
 To the JDS Laos Website
Jan 08 - 23, 2027 Preparatory Training for English and Math Preparatory Training for English and Math will be conducted for applicants prior to the test day.
* Applicants are required to attend the preparatory training. Please read "10. Preparatory Training for English and Math test"
Jan 25 - 27, 2027 Academic aptitude test IELTS and Math tests. The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages
Feb 01 - 19, 2027 1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities.
Beginning of Mar, 2027 Health Checkup The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Vientiane.
*Applicants from provinces will take health checkup during 2nd selection.
Mid of March, 2027 2nd Selection Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will visit to Vientiane to conduct their interview exams.
End of March, 2027 3rd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct their interview exams.
End of March, 2027 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified
Apr - May, 2027 Admission Procedure JICE will support admission for each university
May - Jul, 2027 Academic English and Basic Japanese Language Training Provided to successful candidates in Vientiane.
Jul, 2027 Orientations Provided by JICA and JICE.
Aug, 2027 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan
<Important Notes>
  • 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 for yourself)
  • 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.

6. Download of Application Guideline and Application Documents

Please refer to the Application Guideline and submit your application through Online Application System by the deadline.

For more details, refer to "Apply Now".

7. Research Plan

In the JDS selections, each candidate will be evaluated on her/his academic abilities 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 is 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 plagiarizing 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.

8. Supportive videos for the application

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

9. English & Math Test

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as math test in Vientiane on January 25 (Mon) - 27 (Wed), 2027.

Although your applications will be evaluated based on several criteria (such as your research plan, academic background, potential for future contributions, etc.), the scores of the tests will be reviewed on the 1st selection by the accepting universities. Please be well prepared for the exams.

* All applicants will take IELTS.
* Applicants for Ritsumeikan Univ. and Doshisha Univ. are exempted from the Math test.

10. Preparatory Training for English (IELTS) and Math test

Preparatory training for English and Math will be provided to applicants before the test.
*** Please note that the dates may be subject to change.

English Training - IELTS Fully Online Workshop Sessions

  • Practice the format and question types for IELTS tests
  • Technical and Admin support for taking IELTS test

Online Session provided by Vientiane College

Google Classroom: January 8 - 27 (Online Session)
Workshop Session: January 12 - 22, 11:30~13:00 and 17:30~19:00 (Twice a day)

  • Participants will have access to a custom-designed Google Classroom to support the training sessions and individual preparation.
  • Each Workshop Session will be run twice daily to ensure participants can schedule around work and other commitments.
  • A 'Q & A forum' will also be available, where participant questions will be responded to within 24 hours.
    Responses to questions, from experienced IELTS teachers, will be visible to everyone signed up to the Google Classroom.

Math Training

  • Review basic math and practice worksheet
  • Solve past exam

Venue: National University of Laos
Schedule: January　9, 16, 23 (every Saturday), 9:00 - 17:00

<Notes>
* No test is required to attend the training.
* JICE will inform the details later.

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