Bangladesh

Top › Bangladesh › Application（Doctor）

Application（Doctor）

Table of Contents

Introduction
Applicant Eligibility
Selection Procedures
Download of Application Guidelines
and Application Documents
Research Plan
Supportive videos and Information for the application
English Exam

1. Introduction

The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) has been launched in Bangladesh in 2001. Up to the present, total of 623 Fellows (5597 Master's and 26 Doctoral Fellows) have been sent to Japan.
JDS is now inviting potential applicants who understand its aims and are interested in 3 year doctoral degree program at Japanese accepting universities for the academic year 2026-2027.
The program will be instructed in English. The maximum number of dispatches is 3 per year.

2. Applicant Eligibility

Nationality	Citizens of Bangladesh
Age	Be 45 years of age or under as of 1st April, 2027. Born on/after 2nd April, 1981. (Preferably under 40 years of age)
Academic Background	Completed a Master's course in Japan (not limited to those who studied under JDS) returned to and worked at the target organization for at least 2 years after completion of Master's course in Japan have published at least one peer-reviewed article/ paper or has a prospect for publication of a peer-reviewed article/ paper* in a related field of the research plan.
Work Experience	Belong to the Target Organizations of JDS Project in Bangladesh with at least two (2) years of work experience after completing master's degree in Japan at time of application.(To be confirmed members of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) Cadres, Bangladesh Bank Class-1 Officials, Bangladesh Judicial Service (BJS) Officials and 1st Class Officials of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division in Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Receive a recommendation from the supervisor of his/her current duty office. Have a recommendation from the expected academic adviser(s) of the applying university
English Proficiency	Have a good command of both written and spoken English, Submitting the IELTS score is mandatory. (JICE will arrange IELTS Test for those who don't have valid score. The score result can be used only for JDS selections but not for other purposes.) *Waseda University English Score Requirements：Only the English scores obtained on or after September 22, 2024, are valid. TOEIC scores taken outside Japan are not accepted.
Health Condition	Mentally and physically in good health
Ineligibility	A person who corresponds to the followings is not eligible to apply Those who is currently receiving (or scheduled to receive) another scholarship (including other scholarships of Japan) Those who have obtained a Doctoral Degree overseas under the support of foreign scholarship Those who have completed a Doctoral degree under deputation or study leave after joining the Civil Service, Judicial Service, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division or, Bangladesh Bank Exception: Those who attended online or evening courses without taking paid leave are eligible to apply Military personnel and military civilian employees registered on the active list, and also personnel on temporary leave from the active list
Others	We strongly encourage applications from government officials who understand the objectives of JDS: to develop individuals who contribute to policy planning and formulation within the central government and to the strengthening of bilateral relations with Japan. Applicants should either be currently engaged in work aligned with these objectives, or be likely to assume such responsibilities in the future. *From the perspective of Japanese foreign policy, priority under the JDS Project should be given to officials from ministries and agencies responsible for diplomacy, economic and fiscal policy, trade negotiations, and other institutions critical for strengthening relations with Japan. Female candidates are encouraged to apply

3. Selection Procedures

1) Recruitment Seminars

Recruitment Seminars are scheduled to be held as below, aiming at providing the prospective applicants with more detailed information on JDS Project and how to prepare the application documents.
The URL for online participation will be posted at a later date.

Seminar Venue	Date	Expected Participants
SEMINAR [Ministry of Public Administration, Dhaka]		BCS Cadre Officers (prospective JDS applicants) working in ministries, invited by MOPA.
SEMINAR [Bangladesh Bank, Head Office, Dhaka]		Class‑1 Officials of Bangladesh Bank (prospective JDS applicants) invited by Bangladesh Bank.
SEMINAR [Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC)]		Government Officials in training at BPATC, invited by BPATC.
SEMINAR [BCS Tax Academy, Dhaka]		BCS Cadre Officers (prospective JDS applicants) invited by BCS Tax Academy.
SEMINAR 4 [Chattogram Divisional Commissioner's Office]		Officers of BCS Cadre, Judicial Service, and Bangladesh Bank (prospective JDS applicants), working in the Division, invited by the Divisional Commissioner.
SEMINAR [Sylhet Divisional Commissioner's Office]		Officers of BCS Cadre, Judicial Service, and Bangladesh Bank (prospective JDS applicants), working in the Division, invited by the Divisional Commissioner.
SEMINAR [Dhaka Divisional Commissioner's Office]		Officers of BCS Cadre, Judicial Service, and Bangladesh Bank (prospective JDS applicants), working in the Division, invited by the Divisional Commissioner.
SEMINAR [Rangpur Divisional Commissioner's Office]		Officers of BCS Cadre, Judicial Service, and Bangladesh Bank (prospective JDS applicants), working in the Division, invited by the Divisional Commissioner.
SEMINAR [Barishal Divisional Commissioner's Office]		Officers of BCS Cadre, Judicial Service, and Bangladesh Bank (prospective JDS applicants), working in the Division, invited by the Divisional Commissioner.
SEMINAR [BCS Administration Academy, Dhaka (BCSAA)]		BCS Cadre Officers in training at BCSAA, invited by BCSAA.

2) Application Deadline

Deadline for Application: 4:00 PM November 30, 2026

Notes: Submit your application through Online Application System.
For more details, refer to "Apply Now"

Online Application should be done by online application system of JICE.
An academic reference letter is submitted by the supervisor to JICE upon the applicant's request.
Applicants should either attach the permission letter specifically for the JDS 2026 Doctoral degree application from their Controlling Authority in the online application system, or ensure that the Controlling Authority forwards it directly to the JICE Bangladesh Office by the above deadline. The Application which is NOT submitted the permission letter will be regarded ineligible.
Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and incomplete application documents shall NOT be accepted.

3) Tentative Schedule

2026	2027
Oct..2026. - Nov..2026	Jan.2027	Mar. - Jun.	Mar. - July.	Aug.	Sep. or Oct.
Call for Application	Selection by OC	Application for the University	Screening by the University	Arrival in Japan	Enrollment in the University

*OC=JDS Operating Committee

During the selection stage, only transportation cost form outside of Dhaka to attend OC interview, Health check-up and IELTS will be covered by JDS Project.
Application Documents will not be returned. Please keep a copy of your documents for yourself.
A result of selection will be announced to all candidates by Email.
In principle, reasons of the selection-results will not be opened. Do not directly inquire to universities.
Failure to participate the selection and interview will cause to automatic disqualification from selection process.
Each successful candidate will be requested to sign and submit "JDS Pledge" to comply with the conditions and rules as scholarship fellows under the JDS Project.

4. Download of Application Guidelines and Application Documents

Please refer to the Application Guidelines and submit a full set of application documents by the deadline.

Download

Application Guidelines
Prescribed Forms of Application Documents

5. Research Plan

In the JDS selection process, each candidate will be evaluated on their academic ability to successfully pursue a doctoral degree program in Japan, as well as their potential to contribute to their country in the future. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you clearly explain the objective of your research plan in relation to the development issues under the applied component, and justify how your study aligns with your career path and corresponds to your current position and responsibilities within your organization.

It is also recommended to review the university you are applying to make sure if their curriculums and fields of specialization of faculty members are relevant to your research.

Remember that plagiarism is strongly prohibited.

6. Supportive videos and Information for the application

How to write a research plan [27 min]

Tips for the selection [20 min]

7. English Exam

Every qualified applicant will be required to take English proficiency test (IELTS) in Dhaka in January, 2027.

IELTS consists of 4 parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Speaking test will be held on another day, which will be notified by British Council through SMS or email.
- Please upload IELTS score sheet on the Application Form if you have the valid one (Score should be 6.0 or higher and valid until 31st May 2027.) Otherwise, please choose "I need to take IELTS" on the Online Application Form.

【Note】Waseda University requires only the English scores obtained on or after September 22,2025.
TOEIC scores taken outside Japan are not acceptable.

Go to "Top" page