FY2026 Primary Course
Call for International Applicants
▼Course Dates▼
October 2026: 2 online sessions and self study
November 2-27, 2026: In-person training in Tokyo and Hiroshima
The FY2026 Primary Course is designed to prepare early career professionals in peacebuilding, international development and related fields to work with competence and agility. Around 20 participants from Japan and other countries will participate in the course. For the FY2026 training course, applicants from the Republic of Angola, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Haiti, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, State of Libya, the Republic of Palau, State of Qatar, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and Ukraine are invited to apply.
Please download and read the “Call for Applications for the FY2026 Primary Course (International Applicants)” for details about the course.
▼Participation Fees▼
No fees will be charged for international participants accepted for the training. The costs of the in-person training in Japan will be covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: travel fees between the country of residence and Japan; travel within Japan; travel insurance; accommodation; and a daily allowance to cover miscellaneous expenses. Please note that participants will need additional money to cover food and other personal expenses (minimum US$ 600 for the 4 weeks). Further details will be shared with the applicants after they apply.
▼Eligibility▼
- A strong will to work in the field of peacebuilding and/or international development in the future
- At least three years of work experience in peacebuilding and/or development-related fields (e.g., law, public administration, economic development, education, public health, logistics support, IT and digital science, human resources, communications and media, environment, project management, etc.)
- A university degree (Bachelor’s degree) or equivalent
- Aged between 27 and 39 years as of April 1, 2026
- English proficiency equivalent to or above the following scores:
- TOEFL iBT: At least 23 points in all sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) (for tests taken before January 21, 2026) or at least 5 points in all sections (for tests taken on January 21, 2026 or after);
- TOEIC: Listening and Reading at least 900 points, Speaking and Writing at least 345 points
- IELTS: 6.5 or above in all sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Academic IELTS is preferable but General is also accepted.
- If not standardized test is available, then please submit the “Recommendation Letter on Candidate’s English Language Proficiency”. GPAD reserves the right to contact the person who has sent the recommendation letter.
- A Duolingo English Test Score may also be submitted, but it will only be used as a reference. Applicants who submit Duolingo scores must also submit the “Recommendation Letter on Candidate’s English Language Proficiency”.
- Health condition suitable for participation in the program and the ability to attend the entire duration of the Course.
▼Application Documents▼
Please download the application documents from below:
1. Application Form (submit as a MS Word file, do not convert to PDF. You may type your signature)
Primary Course Application Form
2.Supplementary Employment Information Form (if you need additional space to fill in your employment information)
Supplementary Employment Information Form
3.Certificate of English Proficiency
A certificate or score sheet of an English proficiency test such as TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS, taken in the last five years. A photocopy is acceptable. If you are not able to submit a certificate, please submit a “Recommendation Letter on Candidate’s English Language Proficiency (Download)” from someone who can attest to your English language level.
▼Deadline for Application▼
Wednesday July 1, 2026 (9 pm Japan time)
Please note that late submissions will not be accepted.
▼Submission Address▼
Please email your Application Form together with the certificate of English proficiency to: gpad-primary@office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp .
In the subject line, please write “2026 Primary Course application (your first and last name, your country name)”.
