Philippines, Japan Exchange Notes on the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship 2024

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya sign and exchange diplomatic notes on the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship 2024, formerly known as JDS for AY 2025-2026

MANILA 17 May 2024 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya led the signing and exchange of diplomatic notes ceremony for the Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant on the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship or JDS 2024 for academic year (A.Y.) 2025-2026.

The JDS grant, a cornerstone of the Japanese government's yearly ODA package since 2002, offers two to three-year postgraduate scholarships at Japanese universities for Filipinos poised to assume leadership roles and enhance public service in the Philippines. For A.Y. 2025-2026, the approved grant amount totals three hundred twenty seven million Japanese Yen (JPY 327 Million or approximately PhP 121 Million).

Officials from the Department of Finance and the Japan International Cooperation Agency were present as witnesses during the signing ceremony.

Japan remains the Philippines’ top bilateral ODA partner, demonstrating steadfast support for Philippine development priorities spanning infrastructure, health, human resources, agriculture, education, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. The Philippines and Japan will celebrate the 68th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations on 23 July 2024. END