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ADB-Japan Scholarship Program

Last verified 12 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program provides fully-funded master's scholarships for students from ADB developing member countries to study in fields such as economics, science, and public policy at institutions across Asia and the Pacific.

Provider: ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
Host country: Philippines

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About this scholarship

## ADB-Japan Scholarship Program: Cultivating Development Leaders The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (JSP), generously financed by the Government of Japan since 1988, offers an esteemed opportunity for citizens of developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to pursue advanced graduate studies. This initiative aims to foster human resource development and contribute to sustainable socioeconomic progress within the region. Scholars are expected to return to their home countries post-graduation, applying their newly acquired knowledge and skills to local development challenges. ## Comprehensive Coverage for Academic Excellence The ADB-Japan Scholarship is a fully-funded program, meticulously designed to alleviate the financial burden on scholars and allow them to focus entirely on their studies. The scholarship package is comprehensive, encompassing: * **Full tuition fees:** Covering all academic costs associated with the chosen master's program. * **Monthly subsistence allowance:** Including provisions for housing and living expenses. * **Books and instructional materials:** Ensuring access to necessary learning resources. * **Medical insurance:** Providing essential health coverage throughout the study period. * **Travel expenses:** Covering costs related to travel to the host institution. Additionally, scholars engaged in research may be eligible for a special grant for thesis preparation. In specific circumstances, expenses for computer literacy, preparatory language, and other similar essential courses may also be covered. ## Eligibility Criteria for Aspiring Scholars To be considered for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program, applicants must meet a set of rigorous criteria: * **Citizenship:** Be a national of an ADB borrowing member country and a Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible country. Dual citizenship with any developed country is not permitted. * **Academic Admission:** Secure admission to an approved master's course at one of the program's Designated Institutions. * **Educational Background:** Hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification with a superior academic record. * **Professional Experience:** Possess at least two years of full-time professional working experience, acquired after obtaining their university degree. * **Age Limit:** Not be more than 35 years old at the time of application, though exceptions may be granted with explicit endorsement from the Government of Japan. * **Health and Language:** Be in good health and demonstrate proficiency in oral and written English communication. * **Commitment to Development:** Agree to return and work in their home country for a minimum of two years upon completion of their studies to contribute to national development. * **Exclusions:** Individuals who are Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, management, staff, consultants of ADB, or their close relatives, as well as staff of ADB-Japan Scholarship Program Designated Institutions, are not eligible. Applicants should also not be living or working outside their home country or already enrolled in a graduate degree program. ## Fields of Study and Application Process The program supports graduate studies in a diverse range of development-related fields, including: * **Science and Technology:** Agriculture, Biological Science, Computer Science, Energy, Engineering, Environment, Forestry, Genetics, Health. * **Economics, Business and Management:** Accounting, Business Administration/Management, Commerce, E-Business, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Finance, International Cooperation, Social Sciences. * **Development Studies:** Asia Pacific Studies, Development Management, Development Studies. * **Law and Public Policy:** International Business Law, International Environmental Law, Policy Studies, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy. Prospective applicants should directly contact their chosen partner institution to request information and application forms. Once completed, all required application documents, including the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program information sheet, must be submitted to the partner institution. The institution will then evaluate and shortlist applicants, with final selection of scholars made by ADB based on criteria applied by the Japanese executive director. ## The Value of an ADB-Japan Scholarship Beyond the substantial financial support, the ADB-Japan Scholarship offers an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth. Scholars gain access to world-class education at leading institutions across Asia and the Pacific, develop specialized skills, and broaden their perspectives through international academic environments. This program cultivates future leaders who are equipped to address complex development challenges, fostering a network of professionals dedicated to advancing their home countries and the wider region.

What's covered

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition
Accommodation
Return airfare
Health insurance

Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be citizens of an ADB borrowing member country and Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible country, under 35 years old, and hold a bachelor's degree with at least two years of full-time professional work experience. They must gain admission to an approved master's course at a Designated Institution.

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.adb.org/work-with-us/careers/japan-scholarship-program and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.adb.org/work-with-us/careers/japan-scholarship-program, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, ADB-Japan Scholarship Program will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Deadline timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Editorial verification note

Auto-curated from official source (top-tier batch).

Last checked 5/12/2026

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by ADB-Japan Scholarship Program, and be able to relocate to Philippines for the duration of the programme.

Is the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

Guides for this scholarship

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