The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program 2027 offers an opportunity for qualified professionals from eligible developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to pursue graduate studies with financial support from the Government of Japan.
The programme provides about 130 graduate scholarships each year for studies in fields including economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related disciplines. Development Management, Development Studies and Asia Pacific Studies are among the eligible fields listed by ADB.
The scholarship is designed for professionals who want to strengthen their knowledge and skills and eventually return to their home countries to contribute to socioeconomic development.
For eligible applicants, the ADB-Japan Scholarship can provide comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, living expenses, books and instructional materials, medical insurance and travel expenses.
| Scholarship Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | ADB-Japan Scholarship Program |
| Scholarship year | 2027 |
| Sponsor | Asian Development Bank and Government of Japan |
| Study level | Master’s / graduate study |
| Scholarships per year | About 130 |
| Study fields | Development Management, Development Studies, Economics, Business, Science, Technology, Law, Public Policy and others |
| Study locations | Selected institutions across Asia and the Pacific, including Japan |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Tuition | Covered |
| Living allowance | Monthly subsistence allowance, including housing |
| Travel | Covered |
| Medical insurance | Covered |
| Books | Allowance for books and instructional materials |
| Target applicants | Citizens of eligible ADB developing member countries |
| Work experience | At least 2 years of full-time professional experience after a university degree |
| Age limit | Normally 35 years or younger |
| Post-study requirement | Return to home country and work for at least 2 years |
What Is the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program?
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) is a graduate scholarship initiative financed by the Government of Japan and administered by the Asian Development Bank.
Since 1988, the programme has supported citizens of developing member countries of ADB in pursuing graduate-level education at selected academic institutions across Asia and the Pacific.
The programme is particularly relevant to professionals working in areas connected to economic development, public administration, business, science and technology, infrastructure, policy and other development priorities.
ADB expects scholars to return to their home countries after completing their studies and apply the knowledge and skills gained through the programme toward socioeconomic development.
Development Management Is an Eligible Field
Students interested specifically in Development Management may find the scholarship particularly relevant.
ADB lists Development Management under its Development Studies field, alongside Asia Pacific Studies and Development Studies.
The broader range of eligible academic areas also includes:
Science and Technology
- Agriculture
- Biological Science
- Computer Science
- Energy
- Engineering
- Environment
- Forestry
- Genetics
- Health
Economics, Business and Management
- Accounting
- Business Administration and 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
Applicants should confirm that their intended master’s programme is offered at an ADB-Japan Scholarship designated institution and is approved under the programme.
What Does the ADB-Japan Scholarship Cover?
One of the major advantages of the ADB-Japan Scholarship is its broad financial-support package.
According to ADB, scholars can receive:
Full Tuition Fees
The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition at the designated institution for the approved programme.
Monthly Subsistence Allowance
Scholars receive a monthly subsistence allowance, including housing support, to help cover living expenses during their studies.
Books and Instructional Materials
Funding is provided for books and other instructional materials required during the programme.
Medical Insurance
The scholarship provides medical insurance for scholars during the approved study period.
Travel Expenses
Travel expenses are included in the scholarship package.
Additional Research Support
For scholars undertaking research, ADB indicates that a special grant may be available for thesis preparation.
Under special circumstances, support may also be provided for computer literacy courses, preparatory language courses and other similar courses.
The exact value and conditions of individual benefits can depend on the designated institution and applicable scholarship rules.
ADB-Japan Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the programme’s general eligibility requirements.
To qualify, candidates should generally:
- Be a national of an ADB borrowing member country and a Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible country.
- Not hold dual citizenship of a developed country.
- Have gained admission to an approved master’s course at an ADB-Japan Scholarship designated institution.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a strong academic record.
- Have at least two years of full-time professional work experience acquired after obtaining a university degree.
- Have sufficient oral and written English proficiency to undertake graduate studies.
- Normally be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Be in good health.
- Agree to return to their home country after completing their studies and work there for at least two years.
- Not already be enrolled in a graduate degree programme.
- Not be living or working in a country other than their home country.
- Meet the programme’s restrictions concerning ADB staff, designated-institution staff and certain relatives of ADB officials.
ADB notes that the age requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances with the expressed endorsement of the Government of Japan.
Countries Eligible for the Scholarship
The programme is available to citizens of eligible ADB member countries and areas listed by ADB.
The supplied ADB list includes countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Viet Nam, among others.
Applicants should consult the official ADB eligibility information before applying because eligibility is tied to ADB borrowing membership and Japanese ODA scholarship eligibility.
How the ADB-Japan Scholarship Application Process Works
Unlike some scholarships where applicants submit directly to the funding organisation, the ADB-Japan Scholarship application process begins through a partner academic institution.
The general process outlined by ADB involves several steps.
Step 1: Choose a Designated Institution
Applicants should identify an ADB-Japan Scholarship partner institution and an eligible master’s programme that matches their academic and professional goals.
Step 2: Request Application Information
Candidates should contact their chosen institution to request information and application forms for the ADB-Japan Scholarship.
Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents
Applicants then complete the application and submit the required documents to the partner institution.
The application includes the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program information sheet along with the documents required by the selected academic institution.
Step 4: Institutional Assessment
The partner institution evaluates applications and shortlists candidates according to its assessment process.
Step 5: Final Selection
Following institutional assessment and shortlisting, final scholarship selection is made by ADB based on the applicable selection criteria.
Because institutions can have their own admission requirements and internal deadlines, prospective applicants should contact their preferred institution early rather than waiting for a general scholarship deadline.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The ADB-Japan Scholarship may be particularly suitable for professionals who already have university-level qualifications and relevant work experience and want to develop advanced expertise in a development-related field.
Development professionals considering areas such as development management, public policy, economics, public administration, business management, international cooperation or development studies may find eligible programmes that align with their career objectives.
The programme is not simply intended to fund overseas study. Its stated purpose includes enabling scholars to return home and contribute their newly acquired knowledge and skills to socioeconomic development.
Applicants should therefore be able to explain how their proposed master’s degree fits their professional background and how the training could contribute to development in their home country.
What Makes the Scholarship Competitive?
Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.
Applicants should pay attention to several elements of their application, including academic performance, relevant professional experience, the suitability of their chosen programme and their potential contribution to development after graduation.
A strong application should present a clear connection between:
Academic background → professional experience → chosen master’s programme → development goals → contribution to the home country.
For Development Management applicants, this connection can be especially important because the field is closely linked to practical development challenges and institutional effectiveness.
ADB-Japan Scholarship 2027 Application Tips
Prospective applicants can improve their preparation by taking several practical steps.
Start with the academic institution. Identify a designated institution offering a master’s programme that matches your interests.
Check admission requirements separately. Scholarship eligibility and university admission are related but are not necessarily identical.
Prepare evidence of professional experience. The programme requires at least two years of full-time professional experience acquired after a university degree.
Choose your field carefully. Development Management is listed as an eligible field, but the specific programme must be available through an approved designated institution.
Demonstrate development impact. Think clearly about how the proposed degree can contribute to your professional responsibilities and development priorities in your home country.
Check institutional deadlines. The ADB page directs applicants to partner institutions for application forms and submission, so deadlines and procedures can vary.
Final Thoughts
The ADB-Japan Scholarship 2027 is a major graduate funding opportunity for qualified professionals from eligible ADB developing member countries.
For students interested in Development Management, the programme is particularly relevant because Development Management is specifically included under ADB’s Development Studies field.
The scholarship provides a comprehensive package covering tuition, monthly subsistence and housing support, books and instructional materials, medical insurance and travel expenses. Additional assistance may also be available for thesis preparation and certain preparatory courses under the programme’s conditions.
Applicants must generally hold a bachelor’s degree, have at least two years of relevant full-time professional experience after university, meet the age and citizenship requirements, gain admission to an approved master’s programme and agree to return to their home country after graduation.
The application process is handled through designated academic institutions, making it important for prospective applicants to identify a suitable institution and begin the admission and scholarship process early.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants should begin by reviewing the official ADB-Japan Scholarship Program information, identifying a designated institution and contacting that institution for its application requirements and deadlines.
Official ADB-Japan Scholarship Program: ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
ADB designated academic institutions: List of Academic Institutions
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