Applications are now open for the ADB Japan Scholarship Program 2026 for international students from developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. This fully funded scholarship is sponsored by the Government of Japan and administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The program allows students to pursue master’s degree studies at top universities across Asia and the Pacific in fields related to development, economics, business, science, technology, law, and public policy.
Every year, around 130 scholarships are awarded to talented students who want to contribute to the social and economic development of their home countries after graduation. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, monthly living allowance, travel expenses, medical insurance, books, and other academic costs. There is no application fee for the scholarship program itself. Applicants from eligible ADB developing member countries can apply through one of the partner universities.
Key Details:
- Scholarship Name: ADB Japan Scholarship Program (ADB JSP)
- Funded By: Government of Japan and Asian Development Bank
- Degree Level: Master’s Degree
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Number of Scholarships: Around 130 Scholarships Every Year
- Host Region: Asia and the Pacific
- Study Locations: Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Pakistan, New Zealand, USA and more
- Eligible Applicants: Students from ADB developing member countries
- Application Fee: No Scholarship Application Fee
- Fields of Study: Development related academic programs
- Partner Institutions: 25 Universities and Institutions
- Scholarship Duration: Depends on the selected master’s program
What This Scholarship Offers:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Monthly living allowance including housing expenses
- Airfare and travel expenses
- Books and instructional materials
- Medical insurance coverage
- Research support for thesis preparation in selected cases
- Support for language or computer literacy courses in special situations
- Opportunity to study at leading universities in Asia and the Pacific
- International academic and professional exposure
- Chance to build global networks and professional connections
- Opportunity to contribute to the development of the home country after graduation
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a citizen of an eligible ADB borrowing member country
- Must not hold citizenship of any developed country
- Must have admission to an approved master’s degree program
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree with an excellent academic record
- Must have at least 2 years of full time professional work experience after graduation
- Must have good English communication skills
- Must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application
- Must be in good health
- Must agree to return to the home country after graduation for at least 2 years
- Must not already be enrolled in another graduate degree program
- Must not be living or working outside the home country during application
Programs Available:
Science and Technology
- Agriculture
- Biological Science
- Computer Science
- Energy
- Engineering
- Environment
- Forestry
- Genetics
- Health
Economics, Business and Management
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- 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:
- Afghanistan
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- Fiji
- Georgia
- India
- Indonesia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Samoa
- Sri Lanka
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Viet Nam
And other eligible ADB member countries.
Partner Universities:
The scholarship is available at leading universities and institutions, including:
Japan
- The University of Tokyo
- Kyoto University
- Kobe University
- Kyushu University
- Nagoya University
- Keio University
- University of Tsukuba
- Ritsumeikan University
Hong Kong
- University of Hong Kong
Pakistan
- Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
Singapore
- National University of Singapore
Thailand
- Asian Institute of Technology
- Thammasat University
New Zealand
- University of Auckland
And several other partner institutions across Asia and the Pacific.
Required Documents:
- Completed application form
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Passport or national ID
- Updated CV or resume
- English language proficiency proof
- Work experience certificates
- Income or salary certificate
- Family income certificate
- Recommendation letters if required by the university
How to Apply:
Follow these steps to apply for the scholarship:
- Choose a partner university and eligible master’s program
- Apply for admission to the selected university
- Inform the university that you want to be considered for the ADB JSP scholarship
- Complete the scholarship application form
- Submit all required documents to the university
- Wait for evaluation and shortlisting by the university
- Final selection will be made by ADB
Important Notes:
- Scholars are expected to return to their home countries after graduation
- Incomplete or false documents may lead to rejection
- The scholarship supports students who can contribute to development in their countries
- Scholarship duration depends on the selected degree program
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Why This Scholarship Stands Out From Other Fully Funded Options:
With so many fully funded scholarships competing for attention online, it’s worth understanding what actually makes the ADB Japan Scholarship Program different from the rest.
- It’s backed by two strong institutions working together, the Government of Japan and the Asian Development Bank, rather than a single university acting alone
- The scholarship is designed with a clear purpose beyond individual study, aiming to build a generation of professionals who return home and directly contribute to their country’s development
- With around 130 scholarships awarded every year, the program supports a genuinely large cohort compared to many single-university awards that fund only a handful of students annually
- Recipients aren’t limited to one country. With study locations spanning Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Pakistan, New Zealand, and more, applicants get real choice over where they want to base their studies
- The requirement of at least two years of professional work experience means successful applicants join their program alongside peers who already understand real-world challenges in their field, not just classroom theory
- Because the scholarship is tied to development-focused study areas, graduates often leave with qualifications that are highly relevant to government agencies, international organisations, and NGOs working across Asia and the Pacific
This combination of scale, flexibility, and purpose is part of why the ADB JSP remains one of the more respected government-backed scholarships in the region.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application:
Getting shortlisted for a scholarship with this many applicants competing for limited spots takes more than meeting the minimum requirements. A few practical points worth keeping in mind:
- Apply to a partner university and program that genuinely matches your career goals, since admission committees can usually tell when a chosen field feels like an afterthought rather than a real interest
- Be specific in your application about how your master’s study connects to development outcomes in your home country, since this scholarship exists specifically to support that link
- Make sure your English proficiency documents are current and meet the specific requirements of your chosen university, as standards can vary slightly between institutions
- Have your work experience certificates ready early, since gathering old employment records can take longer than expected
- Double check that your income and family income certificates are accurate and properly certified, as incomplete or inconsistent documents are one of the most common reasons applications get delayed or rejected
- Apply well before internal university deadlines, since ADB’s final selection happens after each university completes its own shortlisting process, meaning late submissions can miss the window entirely
- If your chosen university allows recommendation letters, request them from referees who can speak specifically to your professional achievements and potential for leadership, not just general character references
None of these steps guarantee selection, but they remove the common, avoidable mistakes that knock otherwise strong applicants out of contention.
Frequently Asked Questions?:
Is the ADB Japan Scholarship Program fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, airfare, medical insurance, and books, along with additional support such as research assistance in selected cases.
Is there an application fee for this scholarship?
No. There is no scholarship application fee, though applicants should confirm separately whether their chosen university charges a standard admission application fee.
Who can apply for the ADB Japan Scholarship?
Citizens of eligible ADB developing member countries who hold a bachelor’s degree, have at least two years of full-time professional work experience, and are 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
Can citizens of developed countries apply?
No. Applicants must not hold citizenship of any developed country, since the scholarship is specifically designed to support students from ADB borrowing member countries.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
Around 130 scholarships are awarded annually across the partner universities and institutions involved in the program.
What fields of study are covered?
The program supports development-related fields including science and technology, economics and business, social sciences, and law and public policy, among related disciplines.
Do I need work experience to apply?
Yes. Applicants must have at least two years of full-time professional work experience after completing their bachelor’s degree.
Is there a service obligation after graduation?
Yes. Scholars are required to return to their home country after graduation and remain there for at least two years.
Where can I apply for this scholarship?
Applications go through the partner university you’re admitted to, not directly through ADB. You first apply for admission to your chosen master’s program, then request consideration for the ADB JSP scholarship through that university.
Can I apply if I’m currently working outside my home country?
No. Applicants must not be living or working outside their home country at the time of application.
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