The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) provides approximately 135 graduate scholarships annually for students pursuing degrees in economics, business, management, science, technology, and other development-related fields. Below are the details regarding the program, including eligibility, application procedures, and fields of study.
What is Offered
The ADB-JSP offers a comprehensive scholarship package that includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly subsistence allowance, covering housing costs
- Books and instructional materials
- Medical insurance
- Travel expenses
Additionally, scholars engaged in research may be eligible for a special grant for thesis preparation. In certain cases, courses related to computer literacy, preparatory language, and other similar studies may also be covered.
Major Fields of Study
The ADB-JSP supports a wide range of fields:
1. Science and Technology
- Agriculture
- Biological Science
- Computer Science
- Energy
- Engineering
- Environment
- Forestry
- Genetics
- Health
2. Economics, Business, and Management
- Accounting
- Business Administration/Management
- Commerce
- E-Business
- Entrepreneurship
- Economics
- Finance
- International Cooperation
- Social Sciences
3. Development Studies
- Asia Pacific Studies
- Development Management
- Development Studies
4. Law and Public Policy
- International Business Law
- International Environmental Law
- Policy Studies
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the ADB-JSP, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a national of an ADB borrowing member country or a Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible country.
- Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
- Have secured admission to an approved master’s course at a Designated Institution.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with a strong academic record.
- Have a minimum of two (2) years of full-time professional work experience obtained after earning a university degree.
- Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written English.
- Be no older than 35 years at the time of application (age waivers may be granted in exceptional cases).
- Be in good health.
- Commit to returning and working in their home country for at least two (2) years post-study.
- Not be an Executive Director, Alternate Director, or management/staff of ADB, or closely related by blood or adoption.
- Not be living or working in a country other than their home country.
- Not be currently enrolled in graduate degree programs.
Eligible Countries
The program is available to citizens of the following countries/areas:
- 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
- Vietnam
Procedures for Applying
To apply for the ADB-JSP, follow these steps:
- Request information and application forms from the chosen partner institution.
- Complete the required documents, including the ADB-JSP information sheet.
- Submit the completed documents to the institution.
- The institution will evaluate applications and decide on admission.
- The institution will send a shortlist of candidates to ADB.
- ADB reviews submissions from institutions.
- ADB recommends awardees to the Japanese executive director for approval.
- ADB selects scholars and informs the institution.
- The institution notifies all selected scholars.
Important Notes:
- Applicants must submit their latest income tax return or salary certification, along with a family income certification (parent’s income).
- Application forms and all copies of academic records should be submitted to the institution at least six months before the intended intake.
- Only candidates offered admission and endorsed by the academic institutions will be considered for scholarships.
Please note that the ADB-JSP does not cover expenses for family members, extracurricular courses, additional travel, or educational equipment such as computers. Completion of the application form or admission by the academic institution does not guarantee scholarship acceptance, so candidates should not take any irreversible actions regarding their current employment until they receive formal notification from the institution.
