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Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Call
Sri Lanka
Country of study
Japan
Accepted nationalities
Sri Lanka
Degree already heldRequired
Bachelor’s
Target level
Master’s
Fields of study
All fields
Languages
  • English: level not specifiedRequired
Other conditions
  • The scholarship is aimed at government officials: 'Executive/Senior Executive' staff, officials of the Sri Lanka All-Island Services and the Sri Lanka Foreign Service who have completed probation and been confirmed in service, and officials in managerial positions at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. State-Owned Enterprises are not eligible.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Target Group "Executive/ Senior Executive", those who are mentioned in the Public Administration Circular No.06/2006, Annexure II, Page 2, IV Senior Level, and Page 5, 3.10 & 3.11
  • You cannot apply if you are military personnel on the active list or in alternative military service, if you already hold or are due to receive another scholarship, or if you have already obtained a Master's or higher degree abroad with a foreign scholarship.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Military personnel registered on the active list or person on alternative military service cannot apply for JDS. Those who are currently awarded or scheduled to receive another scholarship. Those who have obtained a Master's or Higher Degree overseas under the support of foreign scholarship.
  • Fellows must return to Sri Lanka and work there for at least 8 years, under an Act of Pledge (Bond) required by their ministry.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: The Fellows are obliged to return and work within Sri Lanka at least for 8 (eight) years in compliance with the Act of Pledge (Bond) required by each belonging Ministry
  • Courses must in principle be completed in Japan; online study for graduation is not allowed.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: In principle, study courses should be completed in Japan, and it will not allow to conduct Online for graduation.
  • You must be of sound mind and body and pass all medical check-ups before the technical interview; applicants who cannot take or pass them are disqualified.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Applicants need to take and pass all medical check-up priority to the technical interview, arranged by JDS Project Office. Applicants who cannot take or pass all medical check-up will be disqualified from JDS scholarship.
  • Priority is given to officials whose responsibilities relate to public policy, economic policy formulation, fiscal management, public financial management, trade and investment promotion, international economic cooperation, trade negotiations and related matters.PreferredOrganisation’s wording: *Priority will be given to officials whose responsibilities relate to public policy, economic policy formulation, fiscal management, public financial management, trade and investment promotion, international economic cooperation, trade negotiations, and related matters.

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Paid
Plane ticket
Number of places
15 places

Dates

Applications close
20 November 2026 at 16:30 GMT+9, time zone not specifiedYour deadline is earlier: Application documents must be submitted to ERD from your Ministry or Organization by deadline.
Results announced
Early March 2027: successful candidates are approved and notified
Studies start
August 2027: departure for Japan

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

  1. Step 1: Submit the full set of application documents and your research plan
    With whom
    You, through your ministry or organization, to ERD (Department of External Resources)
    By when
    20 November 2026 at 16:30 GMT+9, time zone not specified
    Documents to provide
    • Application documents
    • Research plan
  2. Step 2: Take the English (IELTS) and mathematics tests
    With whom
    You, in Colombo
    By when
    December 2026
  3. Step 3: 1st selection: document screening of your application and research plan by the Japanese universities
    With whom
    The Japanese universities
    By when
    December 2026 – January 2027
  4. Step 4: Health check-up
    With whom
    You, at a hospital in Colombo
    By when
    January 2027
  5. Step 5: 2nd selection: technical interview
    With whom
    Faculty members of the Japanese universities, in Colombo
    By when
    February 2027
  6. Step 6: 3rd selection: comprehensive interview (a recommendation letter is required)
    With whom
    The Operating Committee members
    By when
    March 2027
    Documents to provide
    • Recommendation letter
  7. Step 7: Admission procedure to your university
    With whom
    JICE supports you
    By when
    March – April 2027
  8. Step 8: Departure for Japan
    With whom
    JICE arranges the air ticket and visa
    By when
    August 2027

Where to apply

Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) (opens in a new tab) · Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)

Official title (in English): The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) – Master's Degree Program

Edition 2027-2029 · Verified on 1 November 2026

Apply on the official website (opens in a new tab)

Official website of Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE): jds-scholarship.org

See the official page of the opportunity(opens in a new tab)