The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) is accepting applications for the August 2026 intake, offering fully funded postgraduate scholarships for students from developing countries across Asia and the Pacific.
The programme supports master’s-level studies in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at selected universities known as Designated Institutions (DIs). One of the participating institutions is the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand, which screens and nominates candidates before final approval by the Asian Development Bank.
The scholarship is funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of efforts to strengthen development capacity in emerging economies.
Successful candidates receive comprehensive financial support, including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel costs, health insurance, and research allowances.
The deadline for applications for the August 2026 intake is 31 March 2026.
What the ADB-Japan Scholarship Covers
The ADB-JSP is designed to remove financial barriers for talented professionals pursuing graduate studies abroad.
Successful applicants receive:
Full tuition fees
Housing support or dormitory accommodation
Monthly subsistence allowance
Student medical and accident insurance
Book allowance
Economy-class airfare to and from the host institution
Visa fees and travel-related expenses
Research and thesis allowance
The scholarship typically lasts one to two years, covering the full duration of eligible MA, MS, or MBA programmes.
However, the scholarship does not cover expenses for dependents, additional travel during the programme, extracurricular courses, or the purchase of equipment such as laptops.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet several academic and professional requirements to qualify for the scholarship.
Key criteria include:
Citizenship of an ADB borrowing member country
Bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record
Minimum of two years’ full-time professional work experience after graduation
English language proficiency
Age limit of 35 years, or up to 45 in exceptional cases for senior officials
Applicants must be in good health
Applicants must also agree to return to their home country for at least two years after completing the programme in order to contribute to national development.
The programme also excludes individuals who are already enrolled in graduate programmes, those working outside their home country, and employees or close relatives of staff of the Asian Development Bank.
Selection Criteria
Candidates are evaluated based on a combination of academic merit, professional experience, and financial need.
Priority is given to:
Applicants ranked highly by the host university
Women candidates
Applicants with limited financial capacity
Candidates whose proposed studies align with ADB’s Strategy 2030 development priorities
ADB’s development strategy focuses on areas such as:
Poverty reduction
Infrastructure development
Environmental sustainability
Regional cooperation and integration
Financial sector development
Education
Applicants with less than two years of professional experience will not be considered.
How the Application Process Works
Applicants must first apply for admission to a participating Designated Institution, such as the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
The application process involves several stages:
Submit admission application to a Designated Institution
Indicate interest in the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
Submit required documents including academic transcripts, work certificates, and income statements
The institution screens and ranks applicants
The shortlist is submitted to the Asian Development Bank
Final approval is granted by the Executive Director of Japan at ADB
Successful candidates will then receive a scholarship offer and must sign an agreement confirming their commitment to return to their home country after completing their studies.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit several supporting documents, including:
Degree certificate and academic transcripts
English language test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or AIT English test)
Employment certificate
Income statement (personal and family income)
Completed ADB-JSP Information Sheet
Applicants are required to provide accurate and complete documentation, as false or incomplete submissions may lead to disqualification.
Countries Eligible for the Scholarship
The scholarship is available to citizens of ADB borrowing member countries, including:
India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and several Pacific Island states.
Applicants must be living and working in their home country at the time of application.
Why the Scholarship Matters
Since its launch, the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program has supported thousands of students from developing countries in gaining advanced training in fields critical to economic development.
The programme aims to equip professionals with skills, knowledge, and networks that can support policy reform, infrastructure development, and economic growth when they return to their home countries.
By linking graduate education with development priorities, the initiative reflects ADB’s broader goal of strengthening human capital across Asia and the Pacific region.
