The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid, Japan

by Samrach · Published October 17, 2022 · Updated October 19, 2022

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship by Japanese Grant Aid (JDS) was launched in 2000 in Cambodia, and as many as 500 Fellows have been turned out since then.
Application for the academic year 2023-2024 is now open for eligible applicants who subscribe to the scholarship aims and are interested in 2-year master degree programs (in English) at Japanese universities. 24 scholars will be selected through the selection.

Application deadline: 3:00 p.m. on October 25 (Tue), 2022.

2. Download files

We recommend that you first download the “Application Guidelines” and then check out seminar information on this website to prepare your application.

Application Guidelines 2022
Application Form / Research Plan Form ←A password to download is necessary
Request for the download password (Here!)

Please also download the following three files at “5. Framework” below.

Framework (Study fields, Target Organizations, Universities, etc.)
Component information
University information

3. Seminar information and reservation

3-1 Application seminar

※ Please make a reservation below to participate in the sessions.
September 3 (Sat) 09:00-11:00 at CJCC Reservation form
September 10 (Sat) 09:00-11:00 Online (Zoom)Reservation form
September 15 (Thu) 14:30-16:30 Online (Zoom)Reservation form

3-2 Consultation Session by JDS alumni

JDS alumni will be invited to share their experience and advice for your application. Don’t miss this opportunity!

※ Please register at the link below and Zoom meeting information will be sent to you.
※ Before participating, it is advisable to learn about the application requirements and application process through the seminars held by JICE or video tutorials below.

Component	Date & Time	Registration
1-1-1 Infrastructure Development	09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. September 12 (Mon)	Registration
1-1-2 Private Sector Development	11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. September 12 (Mon)	Registration
1-1-3 Improvement of Education Quality	15:00 p.m. – 16:00 p.m. September 12 (Mon)	Registration
1-2 Agriculture and Rural Development	09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. September 13 (Tue)	Registration
Improvement of Urban Living Environment	11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. September 13 (Tue)	Registration
Improvement of Healthcare and Social Security System	15:00 p.m. – 16:00 p.m. September 13 (Tue)	Registration
Improvement of Administrative Functions	09:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. September 14 (Wed)	Registration
Legal and Judicial Development	11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. September 14 (Wed)	Registration
Building of International Relations	15:00 p.m. – 16:00 p.m. September 14 (Wed)	Registration

3-3 Video tutorials

To apply for the JDS, please watch the following videos (in particular, Video 1 and 2)

Video1　JDS application guidelines [20 min]

Video2　How to prepare the application documents [15 min]

Video3　How to write a research plan [27 min]

Video4　Tips for the selection [20 min]

3-4 Online open campus (Introductory seminars by the universities)

The host universities will hold their online seminars or share movies to introduce their university, program, and courses. Take this opportunity to learn more about the university in the field you want to apply for.

Please access the following page and check the schedule.

Schedule for the Information session by the host universities

Date	Time	University	Graduate School
26 September	15:00 – 15:40	Kyushu University	Bio resource and Bioenvironmental Sciences
26 September	16:00 – 16:40	Toyo University	Global and Regional Studies
27 September	16:00 – 16:40	Nagoya University	Law
28 September	15:00 – 15:40	Ritsumeikan University	International Relations
28 September	16:00 – 16:40	Meiji University	Governance Studies
29 September	16:00 – 16:40	Hiroshima University	Biomedical & Health Sciences
30 September	15:00 – 15:40	Kobe University	International Cooperation Studies
6 October	16:00 – 16:40	Rikkyo University	Business

※ Some universities may not join this session.

4. Eligibility criteria

Applicants must

Nationality	Be a citizens of Cambodia
Age	Between 22 and 39 years old as of April 1, 2023
Academic Background	Be a holder of bachelor’s degree (authorized by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) or other countries)
Work Experience	Be a civil servant currently employed by a Target OrganizationHave at least 2-year full time work experience in the Target Organization as of the application closing date (Contract staff is not eligible)Note– Probation period can be included in the 2 years- Contract staff period cannot be included in the 2 years- Part time and volunteer work cannot be counted as the work experience
English Proficiency	Have sufficient English language proficiencyNote– e.g., TOEFL 500-550 / IELTA 5.5 (as a benchmark)- TOEFL ITP test will be arranged for ALL the applicants
Health Condition	Be in good physical and mental conditions
Ineligibility	A person falls under any of the following items is not eligible– A current or prospected recipient of other scholarships- A holder of Master or higher degree earned abroad under the support of foreign scholarship- Military personnel or those who belong to affiliated organizations
Others	JDS Fellows must return to Cambodia upon completing the Master program and resume working at their initial workplace for at least two (2) years in order to make contribution to the development of Cambodia.

5. Framework of Study

The framework of JDS Cambodia consists of Sub-Programs (Priority areas) / “Component (Development issues) as field of study, host universities assigned in each component, and Target Organizations.

5-1. Framework and Target Organizations

Framework for Cambodia 2022

5-2. Component and University information

Sub-Program (Target Priority Area)	Component (Development Issues)	Accepting University Graduate School	Slot	Brochure
1. Industrial Development	1-1. Enhancement of Industrial Competitiveness	1-1-1. Infrastructure Development	Hiroshima University GS of Advanced Science and Engineering / GS of Humanities and Social Sciences * See footnote (1) below	2
1-1-2. Private Sector Development	Kobe University GS of International Cooperation Studies	2
Rikkyo University GS of Business	2
1-1-3. Improvement of Education Quality	Hiroshima University GS of Advanced Science and Engineering / GS of Humanities and Social Sciences * See footnote (1) below	3
1-2. Agriculture and Rural Development	Kyushu University GS of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences	2
2. Better Quality of Life	2-1. Improvement of Urban Living Environment	Toyo University GS of Global and Regional Studies	2
2-2. Improvement of Healthcare and Social Security System	Hiroshima University GS for of Advanced Science and Engineering / GS of Biomedical and Health Sciences * See footnote (1) below	2

3. Realizing Sustainable Society through Strengthening of Governance	3-1. Improvement of Administrative Functions	Meiji University GS of Governance Studies	4
3-2. Legal and Judicial Development	Nagoya University GS of Law	2
3-3. Building of International Relations	Ritsumeikan University GS of International Relations	3

Note
(1) Newly enrolled students are to be assigned to one of the graduate schools according to their research plan and the academic advisor

6. Recommended preparation for application

<Notice> September 8
※ The provisions regarding the application documents have been amended as follows.

Notarization of the following documents is no longer required for application. For further details, please refer to a revised Application Guidelines.
(1) Degree certificate, (2) Transcript, (3) Personal ID (in the case of national ID or birth certificate)
Please note that if a language other than English is used in these documents, an official English translation must be submitted same as before.

Download and refer to Application Guidelines 2022 for details.
Participate in seminars held by JICE, or view the video tutorials (if you have difficulty in participating in the seminars)
Submit a set of hardcopies of the application documents (and Excel Application Form) to JICE JDS project office by the deadline at 3 p.m. on October 25 (Tue), 2022.

7. Selection process

The following is a tentative selection schedule for this year.

Schedule	Steps	Notes
Aug 22 – Oct 25, 2022	Application	Closing Date: 3:00 p.m. on October 25 (Tue), 2022
Early Nov	Academic aptitude test	TOEFL-ITP and Math tests
Dec	1st Selection	Screening by the Japanese universities
End Dec – Mid Jan, 2023	Health Checkup
End Jan	2nd Selection	Interview by the university
Mid Feb	3rd Selection	Interview by the Operating Committee
Early Mar	Approval by the OC

Mar – Apr	Application Procedure	JICE will support application for each university
Apr – Jul	Pre-Departure English & Academic Training	Almost every day
Pre-departure Japanese language training
Jun or Jul	Orientations	Provided by JICA, MOEYS and JICE
Aug.	Departure for Japan	JICE will arrange air-ticket, visa, and support before and after the arrival in Japan

8. Research Plan

In the JDS selection, the candidates will be evaluated on their academic abilities enough to pursue the master program in Japan as well as their potential of future contribution to the country. Thus, you are advised to explain that the objective of your research plan be in connection with the development issues under the component for which you are applying, and to rationalize how the study will be addressed in accordance with your career path, corresponding to the current position and responsibility at your workplace.
Moreover, you are also advised to research on the university and its program you are applying to make sure if the curriculums of the university and fields of specialization of faculty members match your research. The following videos may help your further understanding on the research plan and selection.

Video3　How to write a research plan [27 min]