JICA established a new long-term training program, called "SDGs Global Leader" to foster young/middle bureaucrats, academicians and leading human resources in various fields of target countries who will make influence on policy making processes of their countries or will contribute to socioeconomic development in near future.
Applicants may select the university, to which he/she wishes to apply, from the universities, which have concluded an agreement on accepting JICA participants on the condition that the candidate passes the entrance examination.
Proposed research topics will be the one that contribute to the Government policy for the sustainable development such as administration/public policy, finance, international politics, regional research, business, international trade/investment, disaster risk reduction, maritime issues and so on.
Qualifications
- Filipino citizens who are any of the following:
- Young or middle government officials (national and local offices, government owned and controlled corporations, etc.)
- Personnel who are expected to contribute policy formulation and/or implementation for tackling sustainable developmental issues to mainly in the fields of public policy / administration and economics
- Adequate English skills both in written and oral communication
- Meets the position level, age, education and experience required and specified by the donor country/organization/course
- Must have a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree
- Must not receive nor plan to receive another scholarship from the Japanese Government during the program
- Must be 35 years of age or under in principle if applying to master's programs, and 40 years of age or under if applying for PhD programs
Terms and Coverage
JICA will cover expenses and allowance to participants accepted for the program.
- A payment amount of the living allowance will be calculated in accordance with the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship standards.
- The grant which supports your research, such as purchase of books or necessary equipment, participation fees for academic conference, research trips, etc. can be also provided by JICA.
Note that the payments (e.g. for tuition, research support expenses, school support expenses) will not be paid to the training participants themselves, but directly to the university or other relevant institutions.
Schedule for JFY 2026 university enrollment
Applicants are nominated by each country's government, and then approved by JICA. After this procedure, screening will be conducted at the proposed universities. Applicants must pass University's regular admission procedures including examinations to enter the program. For more information, please see below info:
| Month | Process |
|---|---|
| 01 September - October 2025 | - Application information are distributed by JICA Philippines to the national government agencies - Applicants complete their requirements, choose 3 target agencies, and course to their application to their HRs to be duly nominated to the program |
| 24 October 2025 | - Government nominees are submitted to JICA Philippines by the deadline - JICA Philippines conducts first screening before submission to JICA HQ |
| November - December 2025 | JICA HQ conducts second screening. Those who passed will be submitted to target universities for pre-application matching. |
| January 2026 | JICA Philippines informs the applicants of the pre-application matching results. |
| February-June 20026 | Nominees who matched proceed with application and examination to one university. |
| June-July 2026 | - Nominees are notified university examination results. - JICA HQ conducts screening based on university examination results. - Nominees and their agency are notified of the final results for the scholarship. - Accepted nominees (scholars) and their agencies prepare their travel documents such as travel authority, scholarship contract, and official passport. |
| July - August 2026 | - Scholars submit a copy of their official passport to JICA Philippines - Scholars attend a pre-orientation at JICA Overseas office. |
| September 2026 | - Scholars attend a Send-Off Gathering in JICA Philippines - Scholars apply for student visa in the Embassy of Japan - Scholars depart for Japan as indicated in their e-ticket provided by JICA |
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