Are you an ambitious graduate from an eligible developing country looking to pursue a master’s degree in the United States but concerned about the cost of international education? The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) at the East-West Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, offers an opportunity for eligible students to undertake postgraduate studies with financial support for tuition, living expenses and other essential educational costs.
Funded by the Government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and administered at the East-West Center, the scholarship programme is designed to develop skilled professionals who can contribute to economic growth, social progress and sustainable development in their home countries.
The East-West Center offers eligible students the opportunity to pursue approved master’s degree programmes in fields such as economics, public administration, business, sociology, environmental management, oceanography, geography and urban and regional planning. These disciplines are relevant to many of the development challenges facing countries across Asia and the Pacific, including poverty reduction, governance, climate resilience, environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth.
The scholarship is particularly attractive to candidates seeking more than an academic qualification. Through graduate education and exposure to an international academic environment, successful scholars can develop specialised knowledge, analytical abilities and professional skills that may help them contribute to development initiatives in their home countries.
The 2026 application cycle has a deadline of 1 December 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, according to the East-West Center’s application portal. Applicants must also pay close attention to the separate deadlines for official academic records and English-language test documentation.
However, prospective applicants should understand that this is a targeted scholarship rather than a general award open to all nationalities. Eligibility is restricted to citizens of eligible Asian Development Bank developing member countries and territories who satisfy the programme’s academic, professional and other requirements. The East-West Center’s approved programmes and application procedures must also be followed.
This detailed guide explains the scholarship’s objectives, benefits, eligibility requirements, available fields of study, application documents, deadlines and application process to help prospective applicants determine whether the opportunity is right for them.
1. Overview of the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program
The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program is a postgraduate scholarship initiative established in April 1988 with financial support from the Government of Japan.
The programme provides opportunities for qualified citizens of eligible ADB developing member countries to pursue graduate studies at participating academic institutions across Asia and the Pacific.
The programme’s broader objective is to develop professionals who can apply their education and specialised knowledge to the economic and social development of their home countries.
The scholarship supports postgraduate education in development-related disciplines, including economics, business and management, science and technology, public administration, environmental studies and other approved fields.
The East-West Center is one of the participating institutions. Located in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, the centre works to strengthen understanding, cooperation and relationships among the peoples and nations of the United States, Asia and the Pacific.
At the East-West Center, eligible scholars can combine graduate education with opportunities to engage with people from different professional, cultural and academic backgrounds.
The programme is administered through the East-West Center and follows its specific admission and scholarship procedures. Candidates must therefore distinguish between the general ADB-JSP programme and the particular scholarship application offered through the East-West Center.
A person interested in studying at another participating university must follow that institution’s own admission requirements and application deadlines. Applying through the East-West Center does not automatically constitute an application to every institution participating in ADB-JSP.
2. Scholarship Details at a Glance
The following table summarises the principal information about the opportunity.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) |
| Host institution | East-West Center, in association with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa |
| Study destination | Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, United States |
| Academic level | Master’s degree |
| Funding source | Government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank |
| Programme administrator | East-West Center |
| Application cycle | 2026 |
| Application deadline | 1 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time |
| Eligible applicants | Citizens of eligible ADB developing member countries and territories who meet the programme requirements |
| Study areas | Approved master’s programmes in development-related fields |
| Tuition support | Full tuition fees, subject to programme conditions |
| Living support | Monthly subsistence allowance, including housing |
| Other benefits | Books and instructional materials, medical insurance and travel expenses |
| Additional research support | A thesis-preparation grant may be available for eligible research scholars |
| Official application portal | CLICK HERE TO APPLY |
| Official information page | Click HERE for more information |
The exact scholarship terms, approved degree programmes, documentation requirements and application instructions should be confirmed through the official East-West Center portal before submission.
3. What Does the ADB-Japan Scholarship Cover?
One of the major attractions of the ADB-JSP is its comprehensive financial support for eligible graduate students.
Studying in the United States can involve substantial expenses, including university tuition, accommodation, food, transport, health insurance and academic materials. The scholarship is designed to reduce these financial barriers so that selected students can concentrate on their education.
The Asian Development Bank identifies the following benefits under the programme.
3.1 Full tuition fees
The scholarship provides full tuition-fee support for eligible students enrolled in approved degree programmes.
Tuition is often one of the largest expenses associated with postgraduate education in the United States. Having this cost covered can make it more feasible for qualified candidates to pursue advanced studies.
Applicants should ensure that the programme they intend to pursue is among the approved fields and degrees supported through the East-West Center’s ADB-JSP arrangement.
3.2 Monthly subsistence allowance
The programme provides a monthly subsistence allowance, including support for housing.
This allowance is intended to help scholars meet ordinary living expenses while undertaking their studies.
Living costs vary depending on accommodation arrangements, personal spending habits and other individual circumstances. Applicants should review the current scholarship information to understand the applicable allowance and plan their finances accordingly.
Candidates should not assume that the allowance will cover every possible personal expense beyond the support specified by the programme.
3.3 Books and instructional materials
The scholarship provides support for books and instructional materials.
Graduate students often need textbooks, academic references and other learning resources to complete their coursework and research. This component helps scholars access materials required for their programmes.
Students should follow the university’s guidance on eligible expenses and any applicable funding limits.
3.4 Medical insurance
Medical insurance is another benefit identified under the programme.
Health coverage is particularly important for international students studying in the United States, where medical services can be expensive without appropriate insurance.
Successful applicants should confirm the details of the insurance arrangement, including the coverage period, conditions and any responsibilities that remain with the student.
3.5 Travel expenses
The programme lists travel expenses among its scholarship benefits.
This support helps eligible scholars manage the costs associated with travelling for their studies. Candidates should consult the award conditions to establish which journeys and expenses are covered, as well as any arrangements they must follow before booking travel.
Applicants should not make non-refundable travel commitments before receiving the relevant instructions from the university or programme administrator.
3.6 Possible thesis-preparation grant
For scholars undertaking research, a special grant may be available to support thesis preparation.
This provision may be particularly relevant to students whose master’s programmes include a substantial research component.
The availability of this grant is not guaranteed for every student. Candidates should consult the official scholarship guidance to understand the applicable conditions and whether their intended degree programme qualifies.
3.7 Preparatory courses in special circumstances
The wider ADB-JSP programme also indicates that certain preparatory courses may be covered in special circumstances. These may include computer literacy, preparatory language instruction and similar courses.
Such support is conditional and should not be interpreted as an automatic benefit for all East-West Center scholarship recipients.
Applicants should confirm the arrangements that apply to their particular programme and circumstances.
Important note about funding
Although ADB-JSP is widely described as a fully funded graduate scholarship, applicants should read the award terms carefully. The general programme’s benefits and the specific arrangements available through a participating institution may differ.
Candidates should confirm the current stipend amount, covered travel costs, insurance arrangements, funding duration and any additional conditions with the East-West Center before making financial commitments.
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