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 Papua New Guinean government officials. 12 fellows from PNG 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 Papua New Guinea (PNG) 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 Papua New Guinea holds in-person promotion seminars and online webinars to introduce the Programme.
Seminar / webinar schedule for Papua New Guinea will be announced each year via the JDS Project Office and this page.
JDS Papua New Guinea 2026 offers three priority areas, each comprising one or two components (development issues). Each component is hosted by single or two universities. 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 Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea to obtain the application kit. Express interest to HR/Training officers in your organisation. |
|---|---|---|
| 31 October | Officially endorsed nominations by heads of Designated Agencies 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 Port Moresby 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.
Please refer to the Application Guidelines during completion and ensure submission of a full set of application documents. Applications should be submitted online and the requested hardcopies to be delivered in person to the JDS project office in Port Moresby.
The online application deadline is 16:00 on Friday, 28 November, 2025. ⇒Application deadline is extended by 12:00 on Thursday, 18 December,2025. Download the application documents from the link below and complete all the required forms. Submit them by email to jdspng@jds21.com * Applicants to Doshisha University and APU only. https://jds21.box.com/s/8ftt051b9vodaedg1p9sv65o5uce53e2
Please submit the original hard copies of the reference form, a certified copy of your Bachelor’s degree, and a certified copy of your official transcript to the JDS Project Office; Car Park Shop, Gateway Hotel, Morea Tobo, 7 Mile, Port Moresby, 1121, PNG by 12:00 on Thursday, 18 December,2025.
Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and/or incomplete application documents will NOT be accepted.
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.
If you need further information or wish to make an inquiry, please contact our JDS Project Office in Papua New Guinea (Tel: +675-7191-5631 / +675-8129-2313).
Qualifications
Regarding the eligibility, please refer to page 5 of Application Guidelines.
Math exam is required only for those applying for IUJ and University of Tsukuba.
We do not have any borderline for GPA score.
Yes, you may apply unless you obtained your Master's degree funded through other foreign assistance.
No. If you have ever received (or planning to receive) another scholarship through other foreign assistance, you are NOT eligible to apply.
Yes, you can. In the Japanese Universities selected for JDS Program, all courses are taught in English.
No, there's no funding available for PhD at JDS Pacific.
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.
Please carefully read the instructions written in the Guidelines as well as the instructions written in the Form of a Research Plan.
No. You must possess at least a university degree in order to apply.
All applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful, will be informed by JDS Office at the designated time.
No. all application documents will not be returned.
No. This is grant aid's scholarship. You can't apply for several scholarships.
Life in Japan
As to the allowance you will receive in Japan, please refer to page 10-11 of Application Guidelines.
Yes, you can invite your dependents (spouse / children) to Japan at your own expense. However, it is recommended to do so after enrolment at the university and after three months of your arrival in Japan.
In general, you are not allowed to have any paid job for living. However, jobs as a teaching/research assistant which are provided by your Accepting University, cooperation with university events (as a guest speaker…etc), a tutor or paid internships are exceptionally allowed.
No, you are not permitted to drive cars or motorcycles.
No, you cannot. You MUST return to PNG after obtaining Master's degree through JDS Scholarship Program.
Yes, you may come back to PNG 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 you choose to enroll in. Normally, teaching assistant/s and tutor/s will support your studies and academic life.
All forms and reference materials in one place.