JICA SDGs Global Leader Scholarship (Japan)

The JICA SDGs Global Leader Scholarship is a fully funded master’s and PhD program in Japan for young government officials, academics and professionals from JICA partner countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific and Latin America. JICA pays full tuition directly to the university and provides a monthly allowance of about JPY 146,000, a research grant, airfare and arrival support.

Study fields follow each country’s development priorities, from public policy and finance to disaster risk reduction and regional development, at leading Japanese universities. Each national JICA office runs its own call, with most windows closing between September and November 2026 for the following intake, so contact your country office early.

• Young and mid-career government officials, academics and other leading professionals from JICA partner countries across Asia, the Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and Latin America.
• Age limits in principle: 35 or under for master's applicants and 40 or under for doctoral applicants.
• Bachelor's degree (master's for doctoral track) with a strong academic record and English ability (TOEFL or IELTS evidence is requested in most national calls).
• Endorsement or nomination through your employer and the JICA office responsible for your country is usually required, especially for public-sector applicants.
• Research topics must support your country's sustainable development policy, for example public policy, finance, trade and investment, international relations, disaster risk reduction, maritime issues or regional development.
• You must not hold or plan to hold another Japanese Government scholarship during the programme.
• Acceptance is conditional on passing the entrance screening of a partner Japanese university from JICA's agreement list.

• Full tuition, entrance and school support fees paid by JICA directly to the university.
• Monthly living allowance calculated at Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship standards, around JPY 146,000 during the research-student phase.
• Research support grant for books, equipment, conference participation and research trips.
• International airfare and arrival support, with programme staff assisting your setup in Japan.
• Master's track of about two years and doctoral track of about three years, often preceded by a six-month research-student period at the university.
• A policy-focused network: SDGs Global Leader alumni move into senior government and academic roles across JICA partner countries.

• Application form for the SDGs Global Leader programme from your national JICA office, including consent from your current employer where required.
• Officially certified graduation certificates and complete academic transcripts, in English or with official translations.
• Research plan aligned with your country's development priorities and the target university's faculty list.
• English test certificate (TOEFL or IELTS) photocopy.
• Passport or photo ID copy, passport-size photographs and a health certificate.
• Recommendation or endorsement documents from your agency as specified in the national call.

• Find the JICA office page for your country via the JICA countries index and locate the current SDGs Global Leader announcement; each country publishes its own guideline, quota and deadline.
• Recent national windows have closed between September and November for the intake starting the following year, so contact your JICA office or nominating ministry early.
• Shortlist universities and supervisors from the programme's accepting-university list, since you must name choices and often secure informal supervisor interest before screening.
• Pass JICA's document screening and interviews in your country to become a final candidate.
• As a final candidate, formally apply to the chosen Japanese university and sit its entrance examination (often online); JICA announces final results after the university decision.
• Prepare for a start as a research student (typically April or October) before progressing into the degree programme.