JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Philippines

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Application for JDS 2025 is already closed.

Application

Table of Contents

  1. Applicant Eligibility
  2. Selection Procedures
  3. Download of AG and AD
  4. Research Plan
  5. Supportive videos for the application
  6. English & Math Test

1. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines
Age Between 22 and 39 as of April 1st, 2026
(Born on/after April 2nd, 1986 and born on/before April 1st, 2004))
Occupation Must be an employee in the Philippine Government and not a member of the military
Work Experience
  • Currently employed in the Philippine Government
  • Have permanent status
  • Have at least 2 (two) years of work experience, particularly in work relevant to the selected Component, at the time of application
Performance Rating Have a performance rating of at least 'Very Satisfactory' from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 in the organization
Academic Background
  • Possess a Bachelor or higher degree relevant to the target fields
  • English Proficiency: TOEFL PBT 550/ iBT 79-80 or IELTS 6.5 or higher
Degree Have not been awarded any other foreign scholarships for obtaining a master's degree
Responsibilities of JDS Fellow When selected as a final successful candidate, he/she is required:
  1. To sign and submit the pledge to follow the conditions deemed necessary as a JDS Fellow (If the Fellow violates any articles of the pledge, the scholarship may be cancelled)
  2. To submit a copy of Scholarship Service Contract (referred to the Executive Order 161) to the JDS Operating Committee for record/monitoring purpose
  3. To attend the pre-departure orientation in Manila (about 2 weeks in July-August 2026)
  4. To fully participate in briefings/orientations in Japan (August-September 2026)
  5. To contribute to the socio-economic development of the Philippines with the acquired knowledge upon returning to the Philippines
  6. To follow the JDS rules and regulations
  7. o be in a good condition physically and mentally during the stay in Japan as an ODA scholar. If there is a drastic change in a Fellow's health condition before and during his/her stay in Japan, or/and if the accepting university considers his/her condition is not fit for the pursuit of academic goals, the scholarship is subject to cancellation, based on the decision/guidance of the university and the JDS Operating Committee of the Philippines.

2. Selection Procedures

1) Promotion Seminars

Promotion Seminars are scheduled as follows to provide more detailed information on JDS Project.

Date Time（PHT) Registration
October 27 (Mon) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Click here
November 5 (Wed) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Click here
November 6 (Thu) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Click here
November 7 (Fri) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Click here
November 10 (Mon) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Click here
November 11 (Tue) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Click here
November 12 (Wed) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Click here

2) 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.

◆ University Information Sessions by PROFESSORS of the Accepting Universities

Date Time（PHT) University Graduate School Registration
November 13 (Thu) 5:30 PM -
6:10 PM		 International University of Japan GS of International Management Click here
November 18 (Tue) 2:00 PM -
3:00 PM		 Nagoya University GS of International Development and Cooperation Click here
November 25 (Tue) 9:30 AM -
10:30 AM		 Yokohama National University GS of Urban Innovation Click here

◆ University Information Sessions by Returned and Current JDS Fellows

Date Time（PHT) University Graduate School Registration
November 17, (Mon) 9:30 AM -
10:30 AM		 Meiji University GS of Governance Studies Click here
November 17, (Mon) 2:00 PM -
3:00 PM		 International University of Japan GS of International Relations Click here
November 19, (Wed) 9:30 AM -
10:30 AM		 Rikkyo University GS of Business Click here
November 24, (Mon) 9:30 AM -
10:30 AM		 Nagoya University GS of Environmental Studies Click here
November 24, (Mon) 2:00 PM -
3:00 PM		 University of Tsukuba GS of Science and Technology Click here
November 25, (Tue) 2:00 PM -
3:00 PM		 Hitotsubashi University School of International and Public Policy Click here
November 26, (Wed) 9:30 AM -
10:30 AM		 Kobe University GS of International Cooperation Studies Click here
November 26, (Wed) 2:00 PM -
3:00 PM		 International University of Japan GS of International Management Click here

*Please register yourself from the registration link in advance.

*If there are additional promotion seminars in the future, we will update the schedule on JDS website and Facebook page.

» For JDS Accepting University's introductory/Explanatory Video, visit here.

3) Application Deadline

Extended Deadline for Application: December 19 (Fri), 2025 at 1pm (PHT) (Closed)

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

Online Application System will be automatically closed after the deadline on December 19 (Fri) at 1pm, and not be able to access anymore. Therefore, please complete your submission of application before the deadline. If you CANNOT submit any of required documents by the deadline, please make a "Reason Letter" to explain WHY you cannot submit by the deadline and WHEN you expect to submit. You can upload the "Reason Letter" in the required document section, and it will be accepted tentatively.

In case you will submit "Reason Letter", the latest deadline for submission of the required documents is acceptable by December 26 (Friday) 2025. If the missing document cannot be submitted before December 26 (Friday), the applicant would not proceed to the selection.

4) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Oct. 24 - Dec. 19, 2025 Application Closing Date: 1pm on December 19th (Fri), 2025 (PHT)
Further details → P6 "Application" and P7 "Application Documents" of the Application Guidelines
Mid Jan. 2026 Academic Aptitude Test TOEFL-ITP and Math tests. The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages (Test fees are covered by JDS).
Late Jan. - Early Feb. 2026 1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research plan will be examined by the Japanese universities.
Feb, 2026 Health Checkup The health checkup will be arranged at a designated hospital in Manila. (Check-up fees are covered by JDS)
Early Mar. - mid Mar. 2026 2nd Selection Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will conduct their interview exams.
Late Mar. 2026 3rd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct their interview exams.
Mid Apr. 2026 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified.
Mar. - Apr, 2026 Application Procedure JICE will support candidates' application for each university.
July - Aug, 2026 Orientations Japanese Training Provided by DEPDev, CSC, DFA, JICA and JICE.
Aug, 2026 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support JDS Fellows 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)
  • 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.
  • Applicants are required to take the exam on the designated date. No adjustment of the date can be accepted. The date of the Academic Aptitude Test will be announced on the JDS website when it is fixed
  • 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.

  1. Application Guideline
  2. Application Documents

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

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 research the university you are applying to in order to make sure that its curriculum and fields of specialization of its faculty members are relevant to your research.
Remember that plagiarizing from somebody's work or websites is 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

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

6. English & Math Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (ITP-TOEFL) as well as math test in Manila in the middle of January.

[IMPORTANT]　If you have valid English Certificate, you will be exempt for English Test, so please submit the copy of your certificate to JICE upon application.

  • TOEFL consists of 3 parts with 'Listening Comprehension (50 questions)' for about 35 minutes, 'Structure and Written Expression (40 questions)' for 25 minutes, and 'Reading Comprehension (50 questions)' for 55 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 (TOEFL score of 500 or higher) and numeracy skills. Please be well prepared for the exams.

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