JDS

The Project for
Human Resource
Development Scholarship

JDS - Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship

Viet Nam

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Application for JDS 2024 is already closed.

Doctoral Degree Program

Table of Contents

  1. Applicant Eligibility
  2. Selection Procedures
  3. Download of AG and AD

1. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality Citizens of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
Age Not over 45 as of April 1st, 2025 (born on/after April 2nd 1979)
Academic Background
  • Be a JDS Returned Fellow (a person who completed Master's Degree under JDS), OR a person who has obtained a Master's Degree from a university in a foreign country (outside of Viet Nam under full-time and formal training)
Work Experience
  • Be a Public Employee with at least twelve (12) months at the current organization with social insurance covered by the organization.
Health Condition
  • Be in good health both physically and mentally
    * Applicants need to take and pass all medical check-up at the time of 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.
Pre-condition
  • Get approval from his/her belonging organization to pursue Doctor's course for 3 years (submission of Nomination Letter in prescribed form is required)
  • Receive a recommendation from the supervisor of his/her current duty office. (Reference Letter should contain evaluation of applicant's performance at work and relevance of his/her research theme to his/her career.)
  • Have a Reference letter from the expected academic adviser(s) of the applying university (Submission of a draft academic guidance outline or a supervisory plan is desirable.)
  • In principle, have published at least one peer-reviewed article/ paper*in a related field of research proposal.
    * This requirement is confirmed by the expected academic adviser(s) in the Reference Letter.
    The following applicants are included under the requirement:
    1. ) an applicant who has published at least one peer-reviewed article/paper
    2. ) an applicant who has a prospect for publication of a peer-reviewed article/ paper (who has a paper under peer-review).
    3. ) an applicant who has a concrete plan to publish a peer-reviewed article in an academic journal in collaboration with his/her intended faculty supervisor.
Ineligibility A person falls under any of the following items is NOT eligible to apply:
  • Those who are currently receiving (or scheduled to receive) another international government scholarship (including other scholarships of Japan).
  • Those who have obtained a doctoral degree or higher in a foreign country under any kind of scholarship.
  • Those who were sent for overseas study by the Government of Viet Nam (including JDS) but could not complete their study or did not report their completion as regulated.
  • Those who were awarded scholarship for overseas study (include JDS) and being in the constraints of compensation training expenses.
  • Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service.

【Other Conditions】
The applicant must;

  1. Contact and receive recommendation letter from the expected academic adviser(s) by themself.
  2. Present a research proposal relevant to the development Issues of their country referred to in the framework of Sub-Programs and Components (See the table for framework of Viet Nam below).
  3. Return and work within Viet Nam for belonging organization at least six (06) years after completing doctor course in Japan in order to make a contribution to the development of Viet Nam through their work in their organizations, complying with the Act of Pledge required by the Ministry of Education and Training. If JDS returned Fellows go for Doctor's course during the regulated reinstatement period after completing Master's courses in Japan, the remaining reinstatement period will be carried over to after completing Doctoral course in Japan additional to the six years.
  4. Complete the course within, and not exceeding, three (3) years. However, if it is judged that the Doctoral degree is likely to be obtained, the extension up to 6 months will be accepted.

Framework of JDS Viet Nam (Doctor)

Sub program Components Maximum Slots
1. Promotion of Economic Growth and Strengthening of International Competitiveness 1-1 Strengthening of Market Economy System 5
1-2 Improving of Economic Infrastructure and Traffic Accessibility (Transportation)
1-3 Improving of Economic Infrastructure and Traffic Accessibility (Energy)
1-4 Human Resource Development for Industrial Development
1-5 Agriculture and Rural Development
2. Response to Fragility 2-1 Health Care/Social Security
2-2 Responding to the Threats of Climate Change, Disaster, Environmental Destruction
3. Strengthening of Governance 3-1 Strengthening of the Legal System
3-2 Strengthening of the Administrative Capacity
  • For Doctoral Program, accepting universities and number of slots for each university are not fixed. Applicants can apply to any university which offers the courses that match the above framework.

2. Selection Procedures

1) Application Deadline

Deadline for Application: 17:00, April 11, 2025 (Friday) (Closed)

Submit one (01) set of Application Documents in hard copy by hand or by post to JDS Project Office in Viet Nam

JDS Project Office in Viet Nam
3rd floor, VJCC Building, 91 Chua Lang, Dong Da, Hanoi
Tel 024 3934 7711/7712 / Email:
Office Hour: 8:30-12:00 / 13:30-17:00, Monday to Friday

2) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Application deadline by April 11, 2025 Application Closing Date: 17:00, April 11, 2025 (Friday).
Further details → See "P30 "4. How to apply" in Application Guideline
End of April, 2025 1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research proposal will be examined by the JDS Operating Committee (OC).
  • In case where the total number of applications is more than fifteen (triple of the number of slots), document screening by the OC will be conducted before the interview.
Mid of May, 2025 Health Checkup The health checkup will be arranged at a hospital in Hanoi
2nd Selection Interview by OC: OC members will conduct the interview exams.
End of May, 2025 Approval by the OC Announcement of the result of Interview by OC
Apr - Jul, 2025 Application and Selection by the University Each university will conduct its entrance examination for the candidates.
Each university has its own evaluation criteria, and some universities require an interview or a written test in Japan. (In such case, JDS will support the candidates for the travel cost to Japan)
Jul, 2025 Notification of
Final Result		 Final successful candidates will be announced after selection by accepting universities.
Aug - Sep, 2025 Departure for Japan JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and also support after the arrival in Japan

* Above schedule is subject to change

<Important Notes>
  • 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 to all candidates via email.
  • 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 to JDS Project Office in Viet Nam by the deadline.

download Download
(Closed)
  1. Application Guideline
  2. Application Documents
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