The ADB-Japan Scholarship 2027 at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University provides eligible students with full tuition, admission fees, a ¥144,000 monthly allowance, airfare, medical insurance and study materials. Learn about eligibility, benefits and application deadlines.
The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) 2027 at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) offers an opportunity for qualified applicants from eligible developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank to pursue a master’s degree in Japan.
Ritsumeikan APU is one of the institutions designated by the Asian Development Bank to host ADB-JSP scholars. The university states that it provides the scholarship each year to a limited number of eligible graduate applicants, excluding applicants to the IMAT program.
Importantly, applicants do not apply directly to the ADB-JSP first. Candidates must apply to Ritsumeikan APU and request consideration for the ADB-JSP through the university’s online application. APU reviews eligible applications and recommends suitable candidates to the scholarship organisation.
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) |
| University | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) |
| Country | Japan |
| Study level | Master’s degree |
| Target applicants | Citizens of eligible ADB borrowing member countries |
| Tuition | Fully covered |
| Admission fee | Fully covered |
| Monthly allowance | ¥144,000, including housing |
| Books/materials | Covered |
| Medical insurance | Covered |
| Airfare | Economy-class travel between home country and APU |
| Age limit | 35 years or younger |
| Work experience | At least 2 years after bachelor’s degree |
| Application route | Apply to APU and request ADB-JSP consideration |
| Deadlines listed by APU | November 5, 2026 or January 8, 2027 |
| Initial scholarship period | One year |
| Possible extension | Second year, subject to academic performance |
What Does the ADB-Japan Scholarship Cover?
The ADB-JSP is designed to provide substantial financial support to successful scholars during their graduate studies.
According to Ritsumeikan APU, the scholarship provides:
Full Admission Fee
The scholarship covers the full admission fee associated with the approved master’s programme.
Full Tuition
Successful scholars receive full tuition coverage for the approved graduate programme.
¥144,000 Monthly Allowance
Scholars receive a monthly subsistence allowance of ¥144,000, including housing. APU notes that the amount is subject to change.
This allowance is intended to help scholars meet their living and accommodation expenses during their studies.
Books and Instructional Materials
The scholarship also provides funding for books and other instructional materials required for the programme.
Medical Insurance
Medical insurance is included among the scholarship benefits.
Round-Trip Airfare
The scholarship covers economy-class airfare between the scholar’s home country and Ritsumeikan APU at the beginning and end of the programme.
Taken together, these benefits make the ADB-JSP a substantial scholarship package for eligible international master’s applicants.
Who Is Eligible for the ADB-Japan Scholarship?
Applicants must satisfy the scholarship conditions specified by ADB and Ritsumeikan APU.
The main eligibility requirements include the following.
Citizenship Requirements
Applicants must be nationals of an ADB borrowing member country and a country eligible for Japanese Official Development Assistance scholarship support.
Applicants must not hold dual citizenship with a developed country.
Residence and Employment
Applicants must not currently be living or working outside their home country, according to the eligibility requirements provided by APU.
This condition should be checked carefully before submitting an application.
Work Experience
Candidates need at least two years of full-time professional work experience after completing a bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
Applicants should be prepared to provide formal employment documentation.
English Proficiency
Applicants need sufficient oral and written English proficiency to successfully undertake graduate-level study.
Because the programme requires academic work in an international university environment, applicants should ensure that they can demonstrate the required level of English communication.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
Academic Qualification
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a superior academic record.
They must also gain admission to an approved master’s programme at a designated institution.
Current Graduate Students
Applicants who are already enrolled in a graduate degree programme are not eligible under the stated ADB-JSP conditions.
The programme is also not intended for applicants seeking a second master’s degree.
Previous Degree Location
In principle, applicants should not have obtained their bachelor’s or master’s degree outside their home country.
Return-to-Home-Country Requirement
Successful scholars agree to return to their home country after completing their studies and work there for at least two years.
This is an important condition of the scholarship and should be understood before applying.
Income Requirements
The applicant’s family income should not exceed US$50,000 per year, while individual income should not exceed US$25,000 per year.
Applicants selected as scholarship candidates must provide a certificate of income.
Which Applicants Are Excluded?
The ADB-JSP has restrictions concerning individuals connected with the Asian Development Bank and designated institutions.
The stated eligibility conditions exclude ADB executive directors, alternate directors, management and staff, staff of ADB-JSP designated institutions, consultants in the specified circumstances, and relatives of the individuals covered by these restrictions.
Applicants should review the official scholarship rules carefully where these provisions may apply.
How the ADB-JSP Application Process Works
The application process at Ritsumeikan APU is different from scholarships where students apply independently to the funding organisation.
Step 1: Apply to Ritsumeikan APU
Applicants must first submit an application for an eligible graduate programme at Ritsumeikan APU.
Within the APU Online Application, applicants should request consideration for the ADB-JSP.
Step 2: Submit by the APU Deadline
The supplied APU information lists November 5, 2026 or January 8, 2027 as application deadlines for the relevant enrollment process.
Applicants should confirm which deadline applies to their intended admission period and ensure all required materials are submitted on time.
Step 3: APU Reviews Applications
Ritsumeikan APU reviews applications and identifies suitable candidates for recommendation.
The university indicates that it selects candidates for recommendation to the ADB-JSP around mid-March.
Step 4: Recommended Candidates Submit Additional Documents
Applicants selected by APU as scholarship candidates must prepare additional documents requested for the ADB-JSP process.
Step 5: Final Scholarship Decision
The final scholarship award decision is made by the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program, with results expected around the end of June, although APU notes that the timing can change.
Receiving an APU recommendation therefore does not by itself guarantee the final scholarship award.
Employment Documents You May Need
One of the particularly important documentation requirements is proof of professional experience.
The required Certificate of Employment must be issued on the employer’s letterhead or include its logo and be signed by an authorised signatory.
The certificate should include:
- Employment start and end dates
- Position held
- Monthly or annual income
Where income is shown in local currency, the applicant must convert the amount using the specified USD Conversion Form and submit both documents.
Applicants whose current position covers less than two years should also provide an employment certificate from their previous company.
Additional documentation may be requested from candidates who are selected by APU for recommendation.
Scholarship Duration
The initial scholarship period is one year.
According to APU, an extension for a second year may be granted depending on the student’s academic performance at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
Applicants should therefore understand that continued funding beyond the initial period is subject to the applicable scholarship conditions.
Why Consider Ritsumeikan APU?
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University provides an international study environment in Japan and is an officially designated institution for the ADB-JSP.
For eligible applicants from developing ADB member countries, the combination of graduate study, comprehensive financial support and international exposure can make this scholarship a significant opportunity.
However, applicants should focus first on meeting the scholarship’s eligibility requirements rather than assuming that admission to APU automatically results in funding.
Important Point: Admission Comes Before Scholarship Selection
One of the most important details for prospective applicants is the relationship between APU admission and ADB-JSP selection.
The process begins with an APU application. Ritsumeikan APU then identifies eligible candidates and recommends them to the ADB-JSP.
Therefore, applicants should prepare a strong university application while simultaneously ensuring that they meet the separate scholarship requirements.
Having strong academic qualifications alone is not sufficient where the applicant does not satisfy requirements related to nationality, age, professional experience, income, residence or the return-home-country obligation.
Is the ADB-Japan Scholarship Fully Funded?
Yes, based on the listed benefits, the scholarship provides a fully funded package for the approved study programme, including full tuition and admission fees, a monthly allowance, books and instructional materials, medical insurance and economy-class airfare.
The scholarship should nevertheless be understood according to the exact terms issued by ADB and APU, since the university notes that scholarship conditions may change.
Final Thoughts
The ADB-Japan Scholarship 2027 at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is a major graduate funding opportunity for qualified applicants from eligible ADB borrowing member countries.
The package includes full tuition, full admission fees, ¥144,000 per month including housing, books and instructional materials, medical insurance and economy-class airfare between the applicant’s home country and Japan.
The opportunity is particularly suited to applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree with strong academic results, possess at least two years of relevant full-time work experience, meet the age and income requirements and are prepared to return home after completing their studies.
Applicants should remember that the scholarship selection begins with an APU graduate admission application. According to the supplied APU information, candidates should request ADB-JSP consideration through the online application and submit by November 5, 2026 or January 8, 2027, depending on the applicable intake.
Before applying, candidates should review the latest ADB and Ritsumeikan APU requirements because the university explicitly notes that scholarship conditions may change.
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