Japan-Nepal JDS Scholarship: Grant Aid For Nepali Government Officials’ Higher Education
10th july 2025, Kathmandu
The Government of Japan has extended a grant assistance of approximately NPR 537 million (JPY 572 million) to the Government of Nepal under the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Project.
Japan-Nepal JDS Scholarship
An official signing ceremony took place on Wednesday at Nepal’s Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu. Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyay and Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Toru Monda, signed the Exchange of Notes on behalf of their respective governments. Additionally, Dhaniram Sharma, Joint Secretary and Head of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division at the Ministry of Finance, and Mizuki Matsuzaki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, signed the Grant Agreement.
JDS 2025: Scholarships For 22 Nepali Government Officials
The grant will fund scholarships for 22 Nepali civil servants in the 2025 batch. Among them, 20 will pursue master’s degrees, while 2 will enroll in doctoral (Ph.D.) programs. The scholarship package covers university tuition fees, living expenses, travel allowances, insurance, and educational materials.
The Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program started in Nepal in 2015. Since then, it has been implemented in several phases to build leadership capacity within Nepal’s public sector. According to the Japanese government, 142 Nepali civil servants (140 master’s and 2 Ph.D. graduates) have already completed their studies in Japan through this initiative.
Enhancing Nepal’s Public Sector Through Education
During the signing ceremony, Secretary Upadhyay highlighted the significant role the JDS program has played in strengthening Nepal’s civil service. He emphasized that the advanced knowledge and skills gained from Japanese universities will improve public service delivery and support Nepal’s broader socio-economic development.
Japanese Ambassador Toru Monda noted that JDS alumni have contributed greatly to Nepal’s development. He also stressed that the program continues to strengthen the long-standing friendship between Japan and Nepal.
A New Batch Of Scholars Selected For 2025
So far, a total of 187 Nepali government officials have been approved for scholarships under the JDS project. The latest group of 22 scholars will begin their studies in Japan in August 2025. These candidates were selected through a rigorous, transparent process based on merit, leadership potential, and service to the government.
JDS Alumni Leading Nepal’s Development
Many JDS graduates have returned to Nepal and are actively engaged in leadership roles across various ministries and government institutions. They contribute significantly to policy formulation, governance reforms, and development planning. Their work plays a vital role in Nepal’s human capital development.
The JDS program aims to build a pool of highly qualified professionals who can lead Nepal’s transition toward inclusive growth, policy innovation, and institutional reform. This scholarship remains a strong symbol of the enduring friendship and cooperation between Japan and Nepal.
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from Nepal’s Ministry of Finance, the Embassy of Japan in Nepal, JICA Nepal, and the JDS Operating Committee.
For more:- Japan-Nepal JDS Scholarship
