Applications are now open for the Asian Development Bank and Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) for the academic year 2025-2026. This program offers a unique opportunity for qualified individuals from ADB borrowing member countries and Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible nations to pursue postgraduate studies in various fields. The ADB-JSP provides financial and professional support to help students contribute to the development of their home countries.

Program Overview

• Organized by: Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan
• Funding Source: Japanese Government
• Host Locations: Universities in Asia and the Pacific
• Degree Level: Master’s Degree
• Medium of Instruction: English
• Number of Scholarships: 135
• Program Duration: 1 year (extendable for a second year)
• Application Deadline: At least six months before the start of the desired academic program

Program Benefits

The ADB-JSP is a fully funded program offering the following allowances and benefits:

• Monthly subsistence allowance: Includes housing expenses.
• Full tuition fees: Coverage for the entire academic program.
• Medical insurance: Comprehensive coverage during the study period.
• Travel expenses: Round-trip travel costs to and from the host country.
• Educational resources: Allowances for books and instructional materials.
• Research support: Special grants for students involved in research, including thesis preparation.
• Additional support: Under specific circumstances, funding may be provided for computer literacy, primary language courses, and other essential skills.

Note: The scholarship does not cover:

• Family-related expenses.
• Costs associated with extra-curricular activities, field trips, workshops, seminars, or internships.
• Purchase of additional educational equipment such as computers.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the ADB-JSP, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Citizenship:
   • Hold citizenship of an ADB borrowing member country and a Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible country.
   • Dual citizenship holders from a developed country are not eligible.
2. Academic Qualification:
   • Must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent with an excellent academic record.
   • Must have gained admission to a designated university for a master’s program.
3. Work Experience:
   • At least two years of full-time professional work experience post-bachelor’s degree by the time of application.
4. Age:
   • Must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application (exceptions may apply in rare cases with endorsement from the Japanese Government).
5. Health and Residency:
   • Be in good health and able to undertake studies abroad.
   • Reside and work in the applicant’s home country at the time of application.
6. Commitment:
   • Commit to returning to their home country and contributing to its development for at least two years after graduation.
7. Restrictions:
   • Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, staff, and consultants of ADB, as well as their close relatives, are not eligible.
   • Staff members of ADB-JSP designated institutions are also ineligible.
   • Applicants who have already enrolled in graduate programs are not eligible.

Available Fields of Study

Applicants can pursue postgraduate studies in the following fields:

Science and Technology

• Agriculture
• Biological Sciences
• 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

Eligible Countries

Citizens of the following ADB borrowing member countries are eligible to apply:
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide the following documents:

• Completed application form (ADB-JSP information sheet included).
• Proof of income, including updated income tax returns or a certificate of annual or monthly salary.
• Certification of family income (parents’ income).
• Copies of academic records (transcripts and degree certificates).
• Admission letter from the academic institution.
• Additional supporting documents as required by the designated institution.

Application Procedure

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Request application forms and details from the designated partner university.
2. Complete all required documents, including the ADB-JSP information sheet.
3. Submit your application package to the university.
4. The university will assess your application and decide on admission.
5. The university sends a shortlist of candidates to ADB.
6. ADB reviews the submissions and recommends awardees to the Japanese Executive Director for approval.
7. ADB notifies the partner university of the selected awardees.
8. The university informs successful applicants of their selection.

• List of Designated Academic Institutions and Deadlines
• Application Forms (Ms. Word)
• Application Form (PDF Format)

Additional Information

To learn more about the ADB-JSP, including a list of designated academic institutions, application deadlines, and forms, visit the official ADB website or refer to the FAQs section.

• For further information about the ADB-JSP 2023/24, please visit the official website of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or read the FAQs section.