Japan has provided a grant of more than US$1 million to support the Maldives' Human Resource Development Scholarship Programme.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Maldivian and Japanese governments signed an Exchange of Notes on Tuesday under Japan's Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) for 2026.

Under the agreement, Japan will provide a grant of 152 million Japanese yen (approximately US$1.02 million) to fund the programme.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Maldivian Government by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheryna Abdul Samad, while Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives Ishigami Rumiko signed on behalf of the Government of Japan.

The Foreign Ministry said the JDS programme has been offered to the Maldives since 2020, enabling Maldivian students to pursue master's degrees at leading universities in Japan.

The programme aims to develop skilled young professionals who can contribute to the formulation and implementation of social and economic development policies and play a key role in the country's future development.

Since the programme began, 17 Maldivian students have received scholarships, while nine students are currently studying in Japan.