Japan Development Service Co., Ltd.
JDS Scholarship Programme · 2026 Cohort
Study in Japan. Live in Japan.
The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) — a fully funded two-year Master's programme in Japan for Ghanaian government officials. 12 fellows from Ghana each year, taught entirely in English.
Are you interested in studying in Japan? Here we offer a great program for you.
The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), funded by the Government of Japan, is now accepting applications from government sector workers who wish to obtain a Master's degree from Japanese Universities, starting from the 2026 academic year. The courses are taught in English and take two years for Fellows enrolled as Master's students. The total number of participants from Ghana will be 12 Master's students per year.
JDS is designed to foster exceptional human resources capable of working to resolve various development challenges in the recipient countries by imparting advanced expertise to JDS Fellows through study at Japanese universities. JDS contributes to strengthening the partnership between Japan and the recipient country by graduating a wide range of Fellows who have a deep understanding of Japan.
JDS Project Office in Ghana holds in-person promotion seminars and online webinars to introduce the Programme.
Seminar / webinar schedule for Ghana will be announced each year via the JDS Project Office and this page.
JDS Ghana 2026 offers three priority areas, each comprising one or two components (development issues). Each component is hosted by a single Japanese graduate school. Choose the path that aligns with your role and research interest.
Public Policy
Public Financial Management
International Relations
Climate Change Countermeasures / Environmental Policy
The selection process for Ghana runs from initial contact through enrolment. Exact deadlines are announced each year via the JDS Project Office.
| 2025 | September – October | Initial contact to JDS Project Office in Ghana to obtain the application kit. Express interest to HR/Training officers in your organisation. |
|---|---|---|
| 31 October | Official endorsement letters from Ministry/Statutory Body heads must reach the Ministry of Civil Service. | |
| 17 November | Application deadline (16:30 paper / 23:59 TAO online). | |
| End of November | Math examination (IUJ and University of Tsukuba applicants only). TBC. | |
| 2026 | January | Initial selection (document screening) by graduate school faculties. |
| Mid-January | Medical check-up for all applicants · English examination (only for applicants who did not graduate from English-based universities). | |
| February | Second selection (interview) by graduate school faculties. | |
| March | Third selection (interview) by JDS operating committee. Final successful candidates announced. | |
| July | Pre-departure orientation in Accra and departure for Japan. | |
| August | Post-arrival orientation in Tokyo. | |
| September / October | Enrolment at graduate school in Japan. |
Mandatory for all applicants
All JDS applications are submitted exclusively through TAO, the official online application portal. The video tutorial below walks you through the entire submission process step by step. Please watch it before you start filling out the form.
Be sure to watch all three tutorials, especially tutorials 2 and 3, which are indispensable.
The application deadline is 5th November(Wed), 2025.
Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and/or incomplete application documents will NOT be accepted.
| No | Documents | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application Form for Master Level with a photo | You are required to type in the information as requested |
| Research Plan (Item 7) | Type in space provided a brief proposal outlining your research plan (no more than 700 words). Optionally, you can upload a pdf file with no more than 700 words, 3 pages maximum. | |
| 2 | Confidential Statement of Reference for Master Level | (Prescribed Form 1) To be completed by the Director, Human Resource. The Referee must send it directly to the JDS Office (ghana.jds@jds21.com) via email or give it to the applicant in a signed and sealed envelope with the organisational stamp Original reference letter required. (For Ritsumeikan U.) |
| 3 | Bachelor / Certificate of Degree | A certified copy which is duly certified by your university or the Commissioner of Oaths. |
| 4 | Official Transcript (University-level) | A certified copy which is duly certified by your university or the Commissioner of Oaths or the original of the official transcript from your university. |
| 5 | Identification Document (ID) | Upload a copy of valid Passport or National ID issued by the National Identification Authority for Ghanaians if you don’t have a passport. |
| 6 | Proof of English Language Skill of JDS Scholarship Applicants, or Certificate of English Proficiency from University (For Kobe U., Ritsumeikan U.) | (Prescribed Form 4) To be completed by officials from your organization which you work for. ie.to be filled by a superior from your organization and stamped with the official seal. Original Proof of English Language Skill of JDS Scholarship Applicants (Prescribed Form 4) ( For Ritsumeikan U.) You do not need to submit Prescribed Form 4 if you hold a Bachelor’s degree from a university in the US, Canada, UK, or Australia; or (2) if you submit a Colour-Photocopy of your English language test score (TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS) undertaken within the past two years. |
| 7 | English Language Test Score (If you have any) (For ICU) | Upload an original copy of your English language test score (TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS). Test results shouldn’t be more than two years. (as of April, next year.) |
| 8 | Certificate of English Proficiency from University or test score (TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS) (For Nagasaki U.) | If you do not have any, you would be required to take the IELTS if you successfully pass the first selection. Test results shouldn’t be more than two years. (as of April, next year). |
| 9 | Appointment Letter | Upload a copy of your appointment letter |
☆Please access the Online application portal from the JDS Ghana Official Website.
Before you begin writing, carefully review the Fields of Study & Graduate Schools section to make sure the graduate school of your choice offers an appropriate curriculum and has faculty members relevant to your research plan. You can obtain more information by visiting the websites of individual graduate schools or the JDS Project Office.
Your research plan should be consistent with one of the listed Sub-Programmes (Priority Areas) and Components (Development Issues), should be a programme offered by the graduate school of your application, and correspond to the overall objectives of the organisation to which you belong. Refer to the Application Guidelines for full details.
The math exam is required only for applicants to International University of Japan (IUJ). Approximately 60 minutes. The level is similar to junior-high and high-school math.
The previous year's exam paper is available for download. We recommend reviewing high-school math textbooks and online resources (e.g., Khan Academy) covering the topics listed above.
Scores are used for reference during initial selection by the accepting university.
If you need further information or wish to make an inquiry, please contact our JDS Project Office in Ghana (Tel: 059-651-7785 / 020-142-4369).
Qualifications
Regarding the eligibility, please refer to page 9 of Application Guidelines.
Math exam is required for applicants for Kobe University, International University of Japan and Nagasaki University. On the other hand, applicants for International Christian University are obliged to take English exam. Nagasaki University applicants are exempted from the English exam if they submit the English proficiency letter from their university. If you have taken an IELTS within the last 2 years and can submit the official copy of your score record, you do not need to take it again. However, there is no exception for the math exam. The problems in the math exam will be those you have learned at junior-high and high schools.
We do not have any borderline for GPA score.
Yes, you may apply except if you obtained your Master's degree funded through other foreign assistance.
No. If you have ever received (or are planning to receive) another scholarship through other foreign assistance, you are NOT eligible to apply. Likewise, if you have already had your master's degree, sponsored through other foreign assistance, you are also NOT eligible to apply.
Yes, you can. In the Japanese Universities selected for JDS Program, all courses are taught in English.
Yes, there's 1 slot available each year for JDS Program alumni. Contact JDS Project office for details.
Applications
You should submit the certified copies of the Degrees from both universities in that case.
Please ask your university to send the transcript directly to our JDS Office. You also need to let us know that the transcript will be sent to our JDS Office later on.
Please carefully read the instructions written in the Guidelines as well as the instructions written in the Form of a Research Plan. JDS staff members will also guide you on how to prepare the research plan upon your request.
No. You must possess at least a university degree to apply for.
All applicants who passed or did not pass the screening will be informed by JDS Office. Any inquiries for the result of the selection by applicants are NOT allowed.
No. all application documents will not be returned.
No. This is grant aid's scholarship. You can't apply for several scholarships. You have to choose one scholarship only.
Life in Japan
As to the allowance you will receive in Japan, please refer to page 13 of Application Guidelines.
Yes, you may stay with your dependents (spouse/children) in Japan. However, we recommend that they join you after you have been in Japan for at least three months, unless your university has specific policies that prohibit this. All the procedures required you to do for your dependents' stay in Japan shall be carried out by yourselves. JDS Program will not cover the cost necessary for your families: e.g. travel insurance, air ticket, living cost, and VISA. Your Family will be taken care of under your responsibility.
No, you are not allowed to have any job or work for a living. However, the teaching or research assistantship provided by your Accepting University, as well as internships, are exceptions.
No. You are not permitted to drive cars or motorcycles unless there is any special reason which was permitted by the JDS Operation Committee.
No, you cannot. You MUST return to Ghana after obtaining Master's degree through JDS Scholarship Program.
Yes, you may come back to Ghana at your own expense and must ensure that it doesn't impact your academic work negatively. If you travel overseas for any reason other than thesis research purpose, your scholarship will be suspended from the day of departure from Japan until the day of return in case of private travel. The scholarship will be paid up to 60 days in the case of the thesis research.
It depends on the university which you enroll in. Normally, teaching assistant/s and tutor/s will support your studies and academic life.
All forms and reference materials in one place.