JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA)
JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Long-Term Scholarships)
full · masters, phd
- Fully FundedScholarship type
- Study in JapanHost country
- Master’s (some PhD)Study levels
- Govt officials/professionalsTarget
- JICA / JDSProgramme
- Country-specific callsApplication
At a glance
full
Funding
€20k
Max amount
Rolling
Deadline
JICA partner developing countries (per each country's programme)
Country
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Provider
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supports human-resource development in partner countries through long-term scholarship programmes — most prominently the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) and related Knowledge Co-Creation Program schemes. These enable young government officials and professionals from developing countries to earn graduate degrees in Japan and return to lead reform and development at home. The scholarships are fully funded: they cover tuition, a monthly living allowance, round-trip airfare, and related costs for a master's degree (and, in some programmes, a doctorate) at a Japanese university, typically taught in English. Programmes are tied to development priorities agreed between Japan and each partner country, and target candidates working in government or public institutions. Because JICA delivers these through country-specific programmes, eligibility, target sectors, and deadlines are set per partner country and call rather than as a single global application. Candidates apply through the in-country JICA/JDS process, which usually involves examinations, document screening, and interviews.
What's covered
- Tuition — Full tuition at the Japanese university.
- Living allowance — A monthly living allowance for the study period in Japan.
- Airfare — Round-trip airfare between the home country and Japan.
- Related costs — Settlement, study materials, and related costs as defined by the programme.
- Duration — For the standard master's (~2 years), and longer for any doctoral programmes.
How to apply
Apply through your country's JICA/JDS programme during its call, following the in-country examination, screening, and interview process.
- Find your country's programme — Check whether your country runs a JICA long-term scholarship (e.g. JDS) and its target sectors.
- Confirm eligibility — Verify your employment, degree, age, and sector fit the call.
- Prepare documents — Assemble your application, study plan, employer endorsement, and academic records.
- Apply in-country — Submit through the in-country JICA/JDS process by the call's deadline.
- Examinations & interview — Sit any required examinations, pass document screening, and attend an interview.
- Placement & start — Selected fellows are matched with a Japanese university and begin the programme.
Eligibility
CountryA national of a JICA partner country running a relevant programme (e.g. JDS).
EmploymentTypically a young government official or professional in a public/relevant institution.
DegreeA bachelor's for master's applicants (a master's for any doctoral track).
Sector fitWorking in a field aligned with the country's agreed development priorities.
Selection processPass the in-country examinations, screening, and interviews.
There is no single global deadline — JICA delivers through country-specific programmes (such as JDS), each with its own call, target sectors, and timeline. Apply through the in-country process.
Eligible countries
JICA partner developing countries (per each country's programme)
Deadlines
Varies by partner country / JDS call
Selection
Selection is run through each partner country's JICA/JDS programme, with examinations, document screening, and interviews. Panels assess academic ability, the relevance of the study plan to the country's development priorities, and the candidate's potential to contribute as a public-sector leader on return.
Verified sources
- JICA / JDS Scholarshipsjica.go.jpofficial
About the provider
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) implements Japan's official development assistance, including human-resource development programmes such as the JDS scholarship. These bring young officials and professionals from partner countries to Japan for graduate study to build leadership and capacity for development.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the JICA long-term scholarship?
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A scholarship for human-resource development run by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) — most prominently the JDS programme — funding young officials and professionals from developing countries to earn graduate degrees in Japan.
Who is eligible?
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Typically young government officials and professionals from JICA partner countries, with a relevant degree and employment, working in fields aligned with their country's development priorities.
What does it cover?
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Full tuition, a monthly living allowance, round-trip airfare, and related costs for a master's (and some doctoral) degree at a Japanese university, usually taught in English.
How do I apply?
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Through your country's JICA/JDS programme during its call, following the in-country examination, screening, and interview process. There is no single global application.
When is the deadline?
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There is no single deadline — each partner country's programme sets its own call and timeline. Check your country's JICA/JDS announcements.
What is JDS?
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JDS is the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship, a JICA-managed programme that brings young officials from partner countries to Japan for master's study, primarily in development-relevant fields.
Which levels are funded?
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Mainly master's degrees, with some programmes including doctoral study, at Japanese universities — often in English-taught programmes.
Do I need to be a government official?
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Many JICA/JDS programmes target young government officials and public-sector professionals, though exact eligibility (including some non-government roles) is set per country.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
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Often not — many JDS/JICA-supported programmes are taught in English. Check the language of instruction for your country's programme and chosen universities.
Is there a return expectation?
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Yes — the programmes are designed so that fellows return to their home country and contribute to development and reform, typically continuing in public service.
How competitive is it?
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Competitive within each country's call — selection involves examinations, screening, and interviews, with limited places tied to development priorities.
Which fields are covered?
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Development-relevant fields such as public policy, economics, governance, infrastructure, agriculture, and health, aligned with each country's agreed priorities.