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.

Master's Degree Program

Table of Contents

  1. Applicant Eligibility
  2. Selection Procedures
  3. Research Proposal
  4. Instruction Videos
  5. English & Math Exam

1. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality Citizens of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and residing in Viet Nam at the time of application
Age Between 24 and 39 years old as of April 1st, 2025
(Born on/after April 2, 1985, and born on/before April 1, 2001)
Academic Background
  • Possess a Bachelor's Degree from universities authorized by the Government of Viet Nam or other countries (Full-time and formal training).
  • For Component 2-1: Nagasaki University: There are 3 courses which JDS candidates can apply, in which Tropical Medicine Course is designed for 1 year and requires doctor license and 2-year experience.
  • For Component 3-1: Nagoya University, Kyushu University, Tohoku University: Those who obtained the bachelor's degree in the field of law is preferable.
Work Experience
  • Only Public Employees are eligible.
  • Have at least 12 (twelve) months of full-time work experience after graduation (at the time of application) in the current organization of public sector with social insurance covered by the organization, particularly in work relevant to the selected Component.
English Proficiency Have a good command of both written and spoken English.
  • Note: Final candidates must obtain TOEFL ITP 500 (iBT 46)/IELTS 5.5 (with no sub-band under 5.0) or above (Only test taken on or after 31/05/2023 is valid). The IELTS test will be held for applicants after qualification screening of application documents. Those who have a qualified English score can be exempted from the IELTS test arranged by JDS Project Office.
    * IELTS training course may be arranged for those who cannot obtain qualified English score after the IELTS test arranged by JDS Project Office.
Health Condition Mentally and physically in good health.
  • Note: Applicants need to take and pass all medical check-up at the time of Comprehensive Interview. This medical check-up is arranged by JDS Project Office. Applicants who cannot take or pass all medical check-up will be disqualified from JDS scholarship.
Ineligibility A person who falls under the following category 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 master's or higher degree in a foreign country under any kind of scholarship.
  • Those who were sent for overseas study by the Government of Viet Nam but could not complete their study or did not report their completion as regulated.
  • Those who were awarded scholarship for overseas study and being in the constraints of compensation training expenses.
  • Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service.
Others
  • JDS Fellows are obliged to return and work in Viet Nam for belonging organization at least twice the study period of master's course in Japan in order to make a contribution to the development of Viet Nam through their work in their organizations, complying with the Pledge required by the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. Selection Procedures

1) Information Sessions

Information sessions are scheduled to provide more detailed information on JDS Project and how to prepare application documents for prospective applicants as follows.

Application Information by JICE

Date Viet Nam Time Registration
February 10 (Mon) 19:00 - 20:00  Click here 
March 12 (Wed) 19:30 - 20:30 Click here

Introductory Information Session by Accepting University

Date VNT University Registration
February 5 (Thu) 11:00 - 12:00
CP1-5 The University of Tokyo
  Click here 
February 13 (Thu) 16:00 - 17:00
CP1-5 GS of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University
  Click here 
February 14 (Fri) 14:30 - 15:30
CP3-1 Tohoku University
  Click here 
February 14 (Fri) 17:00 - 18:00
CP1-1 International University of Japan (IM)
  Click here 
February 17 (Mon) 12:00 - 13:00
CP2-2 University of Tsukuba
  Click here 
February 17 (Mon) 14:00 - 15:00
CP1-1, CP1-4 Kobe University
  Click here 
February 18 (Tue) 12:00 - 13:00
CP3-1 GS of Law, Kyushu University
  Click here 
February 19 (Wed) 12:00 - 13:00
CP3-2 Meiji University
  Click here 
February 20 (Thu) 12:00 - 13:00
CP1-3, CP1-4 Hiroshima University
  Click here 
February 21 (Fri) 12:30 - 13:30
CP3-2 Rikkyo University
  Click here 
February 27 (Thu) 12:00 - 13:00
CP1-2 Saitama University
  Click here 
February 27 (Thu) 14:00 - 15:00
CP1-5 Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
  Click here 
March 3 (Mon) 9:00 - 10:40
CP1-1 International Christian University
 -Part 1. Information Session
 -Part 2. JDS Follow-up Seminar
  Click here 
March 5 (Wed) 14:30 - 16:00
CP3-2 International University of Japan (IR)
 -Part 1. Information Session
 -Part 2. JDS Follow-up Seminar
  Click here 
March 7 (Fri) 12:00 - 13:40
CP2-1 Nagasaki University
 -Part 1. Information Session
 -Part 2. JDS Follow-up Seminar
  Click here 

2) Application Deadline

Deadline for Application: 17:00, March 19, 2025 (Wednesday) (Closed)

Notice:

Application to The University of Tokyo (CP1-5) is already closed.

3) How to Apply

STEP 1
Download the Application Guideline and Application Documents
download Download
(Closed)
A. Application Guideline
B. Application Documents
  • 1. Short Essays
  • 2. Form of Research Proposal
  • 3. Reference Letter - Annex
  • 4. Official Nomination Letter
  • 5. Manual of Online Application
STEP 2
Prepare the required documents

Refer to P.19 in Application Guidelines, and make sure to prepare all the required documents in appropriate file format.

STEP 3
Complete your online application

Complete your application by filling out the necessary information and uploading the required documents to the online system below.

ONLINE APPLICATION
* If you cannot access the online application system, or you have any problem filling out the form, please contact JDS Project Office in Viet Nam.
* Once you submit your application, you will not be allowed to modify it.
STEP 4
Receive a Confirmation E-mail
[Submission Succeeded]
You will receive a confirmation email.
[Submission Failed]
You will receive an error message - please contact JDS Project Office in Viet Nam immediately, and make sure to complete your application before the deadline.
  • Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.

4) Tentative Schedule

Schedule Steps Description
Application deadline by Mar 19, 2025 Application Closing Date: 17:00, March 19, 2025 (Monday)
Further details → Application Guideline, P18, "4.How to Apply"
Early April 2025 Academic Aptitude Test IELTS and Math tests. The test results will be reviewed by the universities in later selection stages
* Applicants for the following components will be exempted from the Math test. CP1-5: The University of Tokyo, CP2-2: Kyoto University, CP3-1: Nagoya University, Kyushu University, Tohoku University, CP3-2: Ritsumeikan University
Middle of Apr 2025 1st Selection Document Screening: Application Documents and research proposal will be examined by the Japanese universities.
End of April 2025 2nd Selection Technical Interview: Faculty members of the Japanese Universities will visit to Hanoi to conduct their interview exams.
* Unsuccessful candidates at Document Screening and Technical Interview MAY HAVE A CHANCE TO RE-APPLY for a second university. If re-application is opened, a list of specific universities and instruction for re-application would be informed via email after announcement of result of Technical Interview.
End of May 2025 Health Checkup 3rd Selection Comprehensive Interview: The Operating Committee members will conduct the interview.
3rd Selection
Early Jun 2025 Approval by the OC Successful candidates will be approved and notified.
June 2025 Application Procedure JICE will support application for each university
June - July 2025 Japanese Training Course Successful candidates attend Japanese training course organized by JICE
July - Aug 2025 Orientations Provided by JICA, MOET and JICE
Aug 2025 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 with false statements or plagiarism will be immediately disqualified.
  • The result of each selection round will be announced to all candidates via email.
  • In principle, reasons of the selection results will not be disclosed.

3. Research Proposal

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 proposal 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 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 Proposal' in the Application Guideline for more information.
For reference, please check Title of Thesis of previous JDS fellows here.

4. Instruction Videos

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

5. English & Math Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) as well as math test in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City tentatively at early of April 2025.

  • IELTS refer to the link for sample questions to prepare.
  • 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.
    • Applicants for the following components will be exempted from the Math test. Component 1-5: The University of Tokyo, 2-2: Kyoto University, 3-1: Nagoya University, Kyushu University, Tohoku University, 3-2: Ritsumeikan University

The scores will be used as reference purpose 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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