The Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is now offering Master’s and Doctorate degree scholarships in seven universities in Japan.

The qualified applicants are entitled to free tuition once admitted in proposed universities such as the National Graduate Institute for Policy (GRIPS), Waseda University, Sophia University, International University of Japan, Kyoto University, Hitotsubashi University, and University of Tsukaba, said Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran during a recent Department of Finance (DOF) Executive Committee (Execom) meeting.

Beltran told Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that other benefits will also be provided such as expenses for custom-made program, and other support programs during the study in Japan; round-trip airfare; books, and interior researches; allowances for living expenses; outfit allowance, and moving allowance.

Qualified applicants must either be a “young or middle government official, or personnel from private institutions who are expected to engage in policy formulation; prospective academicians; preferably less than 40 years old, and those who are over 40 years old are subject for discussion; Bachelor’s or Master’s (if to pursue Doctorate) degree holder; has competent English language skills both in written and oral communication to complete the Master’s and Doctorate degree courses such as TOEFL Paper-based test (PBT) of 550 or higher; TOEFL iBT of 79 or higher; or IELTS (Academic Modules) of 6.0 or higher,” Beltran added.

The deadline for the submission of applications is on January 26, 2018.

As of mid-January, the DOF has already received fifteen (15) applications for the scholarship program, Beltran said.