1. Applicant Eligibility

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) in Timor-Leste is now inviting potential applicants for the 2027-2028 academic year for a two-year master's degree program in Japan, conducted in English. The scholarship selects six Fellows annually to support the development of future leaders in Timor-Leste. Applications close at 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2026.

2. Video tutorials

To apply for the JDS, please watch the following videos.

Atu aplika ba bolsa estudu JDS favor hare video sira tuir mai ne'e.

Video Introduction video of JDS project [13 min] (EN)

Video1 How to write a research plan [27 min] (EN)

Video2 Tips for the selection [20 min] (EN)

3. Selection process

The following is a tentative selection schedule for this year.

4. Research Plan

In the JDS selection, the candidates will be evaluated on their academic abilities enough to pursue the master program in Japan as well as their potential of future contribution to the country. Thus, you are advised to explain that the objective of your research plan be in connection with the development issues under the component for which you are applying, and to rationalize how the study will be addressed in accordance with your career path, corresponding to the current position and responsibility at your workplace.
Moreover, you are also advised to research on the university and its program you are applying to make sure if the curriculums of the university and fields of specialization of faculty members match your research. The following videos may help your further understanding on the research plan and selection.

Iha selesaun JDS, kandidatu sira sei hetan avaliasaun kona-ba sira nia abilidade akadémika ne'ebé sufisiente atu tuir programa mestradu iha Japaun no mós sira nia potensiál ba kontribuisaun iha futuru ba nasaun. Nune'e, ita-boot hetan akonsellamentu atu esplika katak objetivu husi ita-boot nia planu peskiza nian iha ligasaun ho kestaun dezenvolvimentu sira tuir komponente ne'ebé ita-boot aplika ba, no atu rasionaliza oinsá estudu ne'e sei aborda tuir ita-boot nia dalan kareira nian, ne'ebé koresponde ba pozisaun no responsabilidade atuál iha ita-boot nia servisu fatin.
Aleinde ne'e, ita-boot mós hetan akonsellamentu atu peskiza kona-ba universidade no ninia programa ne'ebé ita-boot aplika atu asegura se kurríkulu sira universidade nian no kampu espesializasaun sira husi membru dosente sira koresponde ho ita-boot nia peskiza. Vídeo sira tuirmai bele ajuda ita-boot atu komprende liután kona-ba planu no selesaun peskiza nian.

Video1 How to write a research plan [27 min][EN]

Video2 Tips for the selection [20 min] (EN)

5. Academic aptitude test (English & Math exams)

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test and Math test between November 2026 and January 2027 in Dili. In previous years, the English proficiency test has been IELTS; however, the type of English proficiency test for this year is still under consideration and subject to change.
The detailed schedule will be announced later.

Kada aplikante kualifikadu sira hotu presiza atu tuir teste profisiénsia Inglés no Matematika iha Fulan Novembru 2026 no Janeiru 2027 iha Dili. ha tinan hirak liubá, teste profisiénsia Inglés nian maka IELTS; maibé, tipu teste profisiénsia Inglés nian ba tinan ida-ne'e sei iha hela konsiderasaun no bele muda.
Oráriu detallu sei fó sai tuirmai.

• IELTS test
  • It 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.
  • Ida-ne'e kompostu husi parte 4 ho 'Komprensaun Rona nian (pergunta 40)' durante minutu 30, 'Estrutura no Espresaun Eskrita/hakerek (Tarefa 2)' ba minutu 60, 'Komprensaun Leitura/lee (pergunta 40)' ba minutu 60, no 'Ko'alia (parte 3)' durante minutu 15.
  • IELTS | Academic test - sample test questions
• Math test (JDS original)
  • Past math test and its answer
  • 60 minutes will be allocated, and the test consists of 20 questions (Arithmetic operations, Solving fractions, Equations, Inequality, Matrix, Basic quadratic functions, Basic operations of exponential and logarithmic functions, Basic integral and differentiation, etc.)
  • Sei aloka minutu 60, no teste ne'e kompostu husi pergunta 20 (Operasaun aritmétika, Rezolve frasaun sira, Ekuasaun, Dezigualdade, Matrix, Funsaun kuadradu báziku sira, Operasaun báziku sira funsaun esponensiál no logarítmika nian, Integral báziku no diferensiasaun, nst.)