JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Mozambique

TopMozambique › Introduction / Application

Application for JDS 2025 is already closed.

Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) to Mozambique was launched in 2024. 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 available number of slots is 10 per year.

[Introductory Video]

Please click here to watch the JDS introduction video.

Application

1. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality Citizens of Mozambique
Age Between 22 and 45 years old as of April 1st, 2026
(Born on/after April 2, 1980 and born on/before April 1, 2004)
Academic Background Possess a Bachelor's degree authorized by the government of Mozambique or other countries
Target Organization All government ministries in Mozambique
Work Experience Currently employed by following type/status
  • Currently employed in the Ministries of Mozambique as a full-time employee (Except contract staff)
    *Permanent civil servants, as defined by the Estatuto Geral dos Funcionários e Agentes do Estado (EGFAE) and the Regulamento do Estatuto Geral dos Funcionários e Agentes do Estado (REGFAE) in Mozambique, are governed by these laws.
  • Must have 2 (two) years of work experience at the target organizations
English Proficiency Have a good command of both written and spoken English sufficient for study at graduate schools.
  • ELTS 6.0 /TOEFL 550(iBT80) or higher is preferable
  • JICE will arrange the IELTS test for those who do not have a valid score
Performance Evaluation
  • Applicants are required to submit a copy of the performance evaluation (Avaliação de Desempenho) in 2023 and 2024.
  • Have a rating of "Good (Bom)" or higher on Performance Evaluation
Health Condition Mentally and physically in good health.
Note: All applicants need to take, and pass required medical check-ups arranged by JDS Project Office prior to Comprehensive Interview. Those who cannot undergo the medical examinations and fulfill all the medical requirements will be disqualified from JDS scholarship.
Ineligibility A person corresponds to any of the followings is not eligible to 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. *Those who obtained a master's degree in Mozambique are eligible to apply unless they fall under the category mentioned above.
  • Military personnel and civilian military employees registered on the active list, and personnel on temporary leave from the active list
Others
  • JDS Fellows are obliged to return and work Mozambique for at least four (4) years in order to make a contribution to the development of Mozambique through their previous workplace.
  • Female candidates and candidates from regional areas, especially from the northern regions are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • JDS Fellows submit a pledge to JICE and, in the event that they become subject to any penalties, they will comply with the regulations set by the Mozambican government "Regulamento de Bolsas de Estudo Para Funcionarios do Estado."

2. Selection Procedures

1) Application Tips & Research Plan Seminars

In the upcoming online seminars, potential applicants will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare a strong research plan and how to apply using the online application system. During the open Zoom Q&A sessions, feel free to join and ask any questions directly to the JICE staff.

Date Time Contents Zoom link
5, December (Fri) 10:00-11:00 [Seminar] How to apply the online application closed
6, December (Sat) 12:00-14:00 [Seminar] How to prepare a research plan, Advantage of studying in Japan closed
9, December (Tue) 10:00-11:00 [Seminar] How to apply the online application closed
10, December (Wed) 11:00-12:00 Open Zoom Q&A Session
*There will be no seminar during the session
closed
11, December (Thu) 11:00-12:00 Open Zoom Q&A Session
*There will be no seminar during the session
closed
12, December (Fri) 11:00-12:00 Open Zoom Q&A Session
*There will be no seminar during the session
closed

2) Promotion Seminars

In this session, JICE will explain the overview of JDS and how to apply. We will also invite JDS Fellows who are currently studying in Japan to share their experience with you. For those who would like to join the session, please make sure to register in advance from the following link.
Please follow our Facebook for more information and updates!

[Online]

Date Time Contents Online Registration
15, October (Wed) 9:00-10:30 General Information about JDS closed
16, October (Thu) 9:00-10:30 General Information about JDS closed
22, October (Wed) 10:00-11:30 General Information about JDS closed
25, October (Sat) 10:00-11:30 General Information about JDS closed

[In-person]

Date Time Contents Region Venue
3, November (Mon) 10:00-11:30
(registration starts at 9:30)
General Information about JDS Maputo Radisson Blu Hotel (141 Av. Marginal, Maputo)
5, November (Wed) 10:00-11:30
(registration starts at 9:30)
General Information about JDS Nampula HOTEL MILENIO (Av. 25 de Setembro no 842, Nampula)
12, November (Wed) 10:00-12:00
(registration starts at 9:30)
Feira "Estudar no Japão" introducing scholarships of MEXT, ABE Initiative, JDS, and Ashinaga. Maputo UP Maputo, Campos de Lhanguene, Anfiteatro de Ciências Naturais & Matemática
18, November (Tue) 10:00-11:30
(registration starts at 9:30)
General Information about JDS Pemba Hotel Wimbi Sun (Av. Marginal, 7472, Praia Wimbe, Pemba)

*Pre-registration is not required for your participation.

3) University Information Session

The Information Session by universities is scheduled to provide more detailed information on JDS Project and Accepting University for prospective applicants as follows:
You can not only get detailed information about accepting universities but also ask questions about graduate schools or universities at information sessions. For those who would like to join the session, please make sure to register in advance from the following link.

Date & Time University Graduate School/Program Online Registration
7, November (Fri), 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM International University of Japan Graduate School of International Relations closed
13 November (Thu), 10:00 AM - 10:40 AM Hiroshima University Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, International Peace and Co-existence Program closed
13 November (Thu), 11:30 AM - 12:10 PM International University of Japan Graduate School of International Management closed
14 November (Fri), 11:30 AM - 12:10 PM Hiroshima University Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, International Economic Development Program closed

4) Application Deadline

Deadline for Application: 4:00 p.m. on December 15 (Mon), 2025

Deadline for the following graduate schools has been extended
until 12:00 p.m. on January 5 (Mon), 2026 (Closed)

Sub-program 2. Economic Growth
  • Ritsumeikan University:
    GS of International Relations
  • International University of Japan:
    GS of International Management

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

5) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Oct 6, 2025 -
Dec 15,2025
Application Closing Date: 4:00 p.m. on December 15 (Mon), 2025
For Ritsumeikan University, GS of International Relations and International University of Japan, GS of International Management, Deadline has been extended to 12 PM, January 5 (Mon), 2026.
※Pre-Registration Deadline : November 21 (Fri), 2025
Jan - Feb, 2026 Academic aptitude test English (IELTS) and Math tests: The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages.
Mid-Feb, 2026 -
Early Mar, 2026
1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities.
Early Mar, 2026 Health Checkup The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Maputo
End of Mar, 2026 2nd Selection Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will conduct their interview exams.
Mid-Apr, 2026 3rd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview exams.
End of Apr, 2026 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified
Apr, 2026 Admission Procedure JICE will support admission procedures for each university.
May- Jul, 2026 Pre-Departure Training Provided to successful candidates in Maputo (3 months)
Jul, 2026 Pre-Departure Orientations Provided by Operating Committee and JICE
Aug, 2026 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket from Maputo Tokyo, 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 including IELTS Test Report Form 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. Download of Application Guideline and Application Documents

Please refer to the Application Guideline and submit a full set of application documents by the deadline.

Download

B. Application Documents (Prescribed Forms)

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 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 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

6. English & Math Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as math test in Maputo in January, 2026.

  • IELTS consists of 4 parts with 'Listening Comprehension (40 questions)' for about 30 minutes, 'Structure and Written Expression (2 Tasks)' for 60 minutes, 'Reading Comprehension (40 questions)' for 60 minutes, and 'Speaking(3 parts)') for about 15 minutes
  • 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 scores will be reviewed on the 1st selection by the accepting universities. Universities may require the applicants to have good command of English skill (IELTS6.0 score or TOEFL550 or higher) and numeracy skills. Please be well prepared for the exams.

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