Solomon Islands
- Home > Solomon Islands
TAO Online Application Manual
For Applicants
If you have any question, please contact Solomon JDS Office
(Email address : jdssolomon-1@jds21.com)
The Project for Human Resource Development
Scholarship (JDS) in Solomon Islands 2026
About JDS Project
Are You Interested in Studying in Japan?
Here We Offer a Great Program for You!
The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), funded by the Government of Japan, is now accepting applications from government officials who wish to obtain a Master’s degree from Japanese Universities, starting from the 2026 academic year. The courses will be taught in English and will take two years for Fellows enrolled as Master’s students. The total number of participants from Solomon Islands will be 5 Master’s students per year.
The Japanese Government is offering the JDS scholarship program to government officials in Solomon Islands provide opportunities for academic research at Japanese graduate schools.
The JDS scholarship program targets primarily, highly capable young government officers who are expected to engage in formulating and implementing social and economic development plans and to become leaders of Solomon Islands in the 21st century.
Eligibility
Who is Eligible?
- Citizens of Solomon Islands.
- Between the age of 22 and 45 years old as of 1 April 2026 (Should be born between 2 April, 1981 and 1 April, 2004)
- Bachelor’s Degree holders
- At least 3 years of work experience as a full-time public servant; currently a full-time employee.
- Target Organizations: All Ministries.
- A strong willingness to work for the development of Solomon Islands after the completion of the course.
- In good health both mentally and physically.
- Sufficiently proficient in English to study in Japan.
Who is Ineligible?
- Previously acquired a master’s degree after studying abroad on a scholarship awarded by other foreign assistances.
- Currently receiving or planning to receive any scholarship.
* Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Fields of Study, Target Organizations and Corresponding Graduate Schools
| Sub-Program (Priority Areas) |
|
|---|---|
| Component (Development Issues) |
Accepting Universities |
| 1.Strengthening Administrative Capacity for Resilient and Sustainable Growth | |
|
1-1.Public policy
Target Organizations
|
Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR)
|
Graduate School of International Development (GSID),
|
|
|
1-2.Public Financial Management
Target Organizations
|
Master’s Program in International Cooperation Policy (ICP)
|
| 2.Strengthening a Free and Open International Order | |
|
2-1.International Relations
Target Organizations
|
Master’s Program in Asia Pacific Studies (APS)
|
| 3.Advancement for Climate Change, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction Policies | |
|
3-1.Climate Change Countermeasures/ Environmental Policy
Target Organizations
|
Graduate School of Sciences and Technology,
|
Selection Process
| 2025 | 4th of November | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early November | Math Examination (Only applicants for IUJ and Tsukuba University) | |
| 2026 | January | Initial Selection (Screening of Application Documents) by graduate school faculties |
| Mid. January | English Examination (compulsory for Nagoya applicants. IUJ and APU applicants who fail to submit a proof of English proficiency at the moment of initial application) and medical check-up for all applicants | |
| February | Second Selection (interview) by graduate school faculties | |
| March | Third selection (interview) by the JDS Operating Committee members Announcement of the final successful candidates |
|
| July | Pre-departure orientation in Honiara and departure for Japan | |
| August | Post-arrival orientation in Tokyo | |
| September/October | Enrolment at Graduate School in Japan |
List of universities
| Sub-Program (Target Priority Area) |
Components (Development Issues) / Accepting Universities |
|---|---|
|
Strengthening Administrative Capacity for Resilient and Sustainable Growth |
Public Policy
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JAPAN PDF |
|
Public Financial Management
RITSUMEIKAN ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY PDF |
|
| Strengthening a Free and Open International Order |
International Relations
RITSUMEIKAN ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY PDF |
| Advancement for Climate Change, Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction Policies |
Climate Change Countermeasures/ Environmental Policy
UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA PDF |
How to Apply
-
Online application
Applications for the JDS Program must be submitted via the Admissions Office (TAO) online. Please access the online application system and submit the application documents online before 23:59 on Tuesday, 4 November 2025.
Please make sure you carefully read the TAO Online Application Manual beforehand, and refer to video tutorials below:1. How to Create a TAO Account 2. How to access the input screen after logging in/re-logging in 3. Detailed explanation of the input screen and important notes
A. Application Guidelines
- Application Guidelines download: PDF
B. Application Documents
- Application form(TAO Online System)
- Confidential Statement of Reference for Master Level (Form 1)
download: Word PDF - Education Background Sheet download: Excel
- Work Experience Sheet download: Excel
- Certified copy of your “Bachelor/Certificate of degree”
- Original or certified copy of your “Official Transcript (University-level)”
- Colored photocopy of your ID document
- Certificate of English Proficiency from University (for IUJ and APU only)
- English Language Test Score (for Nagoya. IUJ and APU applicants who fail to submit a proof of English proficiency at the moment of initial application)
-
Submit Application Documents to JDS Project Office
Confidential Statement of Reference for Master Level (Form 1) can be downloaded from the link provided above. Send Confidential Statement of Reference for Master Level (Form 1) to your supervisor as a Referee. This reference statement is to be completed by the applicant’s supervisor. This should be typed in English. The Referee can send it directly to the JDS Office (jdssolomon-1@jds21.com) via email, or the Referee can give it to the applicant in a signed and sealed envelope with the organizational stamp. Completed but not sealed Form 1 submitted by the applicant will NOT be accepted.
Please submit the original hard copies of a certified copy issued by government-recognized Commissioners of Oaths—such as those affiliated with the Public Solicitor’s Office or other appropriate government institutions of your Bachelor’s degree and your official transcript to the JDS Project Office; Room 2 Top Floor, Sir David Kausimae Building, Kukum Highway, Honiara by 16:30 on the 4th of November 2025.
Application documents will not be returned for any reason. Late submission and/or incomplete application documents will NOT be accepted.
If you are facing problems applying online, please consult with JDS Solomon Project Office.
How to Prepare Your Research Plan
Before you begin writing your research plan, you are advised to carefully review the ‘Graduate School Information‘ section to make sure that the graduate school of your choice offers an appropriate curriculum and has faculty members relevant to your research plan. You can obtain more information by visiting the websites of individual graduate schools or by visiting the JDS Project Office.
NOTE: Your research plan should be consistent with one of the aforementioned ‘Sub-Program’ (Priority Areas) and ‘Components’ (development issues), should be a program offered by the graduate school of your application and correspond to the overall objectives of the organization to which you belong. For more information, please refer to the Application Guidelines.
How to Prepare for Math Exam
(International University of Japan and University of Tsukuba only)
Math Examination Date: Early November, 2025
The duration of the math examination is approximately 60 minutes and consists of basic math: arithmetic operations, solving fractions, equations, inequalities, matrixes, basic quadratic functions, basic operations of exponential and logarithmic functions, basic integral and differentiation, etc.
Exam scores will be used for reference purposes during initial selection by the accepting universities. Please prepare yourself for the exams!
You can download the previous year’s exam paper from the following links:
https://scholarship.jds21.com/useful-information-for-applicants/
Frequently Asked Questions
If you need further information or wish to make an inquiry, please contact our JDS Project Office in Solomon Islands (Tel: +677-8607686 / +677-7300977).
-
Qualifications
- Q. Who is eligible to apply to JDS Program?
- A. Regarding the eligibility, please refer to page 6 of Application Guidelines.
- Q. Do I need to take English and Math examinations?
- A. Math exam is required only for those applying for International University of Japan and University of Tsukuba. On the other hand, applicants for IUJ and Nagoya University must take English exam if they failed to submit a proof of English proficiency at the initial application. The level of the questions in the math exam will be similar to what you learned in junior-high and high school.
- Q. How about GPA score?
- A. We do not have any borderline for GPA score.
- Q. I am a Master’s Degree holder. Can I apply?
- A. Yes, you may apply except the case you obtained your Master’s degree funded through other foreign assistance.
- Q. I have received a scholarship from another country. Can I apply to JDS?
- A. No. If you have ever received (or planning to receive) another scholarship through other foreign assistance, you are NOT eligible to apply. Additionally, if you have already had your master’s degree, sponsored through other foreign assistance, you are also NOT eligible to apply.
- Q. I don’t speak Japanese. Can I apply to JDS?
- A. Yes, you can. In the Japanese Universities selected for JDS Program, all courses are taught in English.
- Q. Does JDS Program fund me for PhD course as well?
- A. No, there’s no funding available for PhD at JDS Pacific.
-
Applications
- Q. I graduated from 2 universities, which university degree should I submit?
- A. You should submit the certified copies of the Degrees from both universities in that case.
- Q. My University does not give my official transcript directly to me. What should I do?
- A. Please ask your university to send the transcript directly to our JDS Office. You also need to let us know that the transcript will be sent to our JDS Office later on.
- Q. How do I prepare the research plan?
- A. Please carefully read the instructions written in the Guidelines as well as the instructions written in the Form of a Research Plan. JDS staff members will also guide you on how to prepare the research plan upon request.
- Q. I only have diploma. Am I eligible to apply?
- A. No. You must possess at least a university degree in order to apply.
- Q. How do I know if I passed the process of document screening or not? Can I call JDS Office and ask?
- A. All applicants who passed or did not pass the screening will be informed by JDS Office at the designated time. Any inquiries for the result of the selection by applicants are NOT allowed.
- Q. Can I have my application documents back if I do not pass the selection?
- A. No. all application documents will not be returned.
- Q. I am planning to apply for another scholarship. Can I apply for both scholarships?
- A. No. This is Japanese grant aid’s scholarship. You can’t apply for several scholarships. You have to choose one scholarship only.
-
Life in Japan
- Q. If I were selected for JDS Scholarship Program, what allowance will I receive?
- A. As to the allowance you will receive in Japan, please refer to page 11 of Application Guidelines.
- Q. Is it okay to bring my dependents and stay with them in Japan?
- A. Yes, you can invite your dependents (spouse / children) to Japan at your own expense. However, it is recommended to do so after enrolment at the university and after three months of your arrival in Japan.
- Q. Can I work in Japan?
- A. In general, you are not allowed to have any paid job for living. However, jobs as a teaching/research assistant which are provided by your Accepting University, cooperation with university events (as a guest speaker…etc), a tutor or paid internships are exceptionally allowed.
- Q. Can I drive automobiles in Japan?
- A. No. You are not permitted to drive cars or motorcycles.
- Q. Can I stay in Japan after the completion of Master’s program in order to continue my education or be employed in Japan?
- A. No. You MUST return to Solomon Islands after obtaining Master’s degree through JDS Scholarship Program.
- Q. Can I come back to Solomon Islands or travel overseas for short-term while I am staying in Japan?
- A. Yes, you may come back to Solomon Islands at your own expense and must ensure that it doesn’t impact your academic work negatively. If you travel overseas for any reason other than thesis research purpose, your scholarship will be suspended from the day of departure from Japan until the day of return in case of private travel. The scholarship will be paid up to 60 days in the case of the thesis research.
- Q. Please tell me about university support system.
- A. It depends on the university which you enroll. Normally, teaching assistant/s and tutor/s will support your studies and academic life.
Contact
JDS Project Office in Solomon Islands
Address: Room 2 Top Floor, Sir David Kausimae Building, Kukum Highway, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tel: +677-8607686 / +677-7300977
Email: jdssolomon-1@jds21.com
Office Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 to 12:00, 13:00 to 16:30
