Scholarship Program: Frequently Asked Questions

The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB–JSP) was established in April 1988 with financing from the Government of Japan.

It aims to provide an opportunity for well-qualified citizens of ADB's developing member countries to undertake graduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Region.

Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.

The ADB–JSP provides

• full tuition fees
• a monthly subsistence and housing allowance
• an allowance for books and instructional materials
• medical insurance
• travel expenses

For scholars engaged in research, a special grant may be available for thesis preparation.

The scholarship is for one (1) year with an extension to the second year of study, as appropriate, which shall be conditional on the scholar maintaining a satisfactory level of performance as determined by the institute.

The maximum duration of scholarship award is two (2) years for masters program.

• The candidate should:
• be a national of an ADB borrowing member and Japanese ODA scholarship eligible country listed here;
• not hold dual citizenship of any developed country;
• have gained admission to an approved master's course at a Designated Institution;
• hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent with superior academic record;
• have at least two (2) years of full-time professional working experience (acquired after a university degree) at the time of application. The candidate must have proficiency in oral and written English communication skills to be able to pursue studies;
• not be more than 35 years old at the time of application, unless waived in exceptional cases with the expressed endorsement of the Government of Japan;
• be in good health;
• agree to return and work in his/her home country for at least two (2) years after completion of studies under the Program in order to contribute to its development;
• not be an Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, management, staff and consultants of ADB, or the close relatives of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term "close relative" defined as: spouse, mother, stepmother, father, stepfather, sister, stepsister, brother, stepbrother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew;
• not be staff of ADB–JSP Designated Institutions;
• not be living or working in a country other than his/her home country; and
• not be already enrolled in graduate degree programs.

No. ADB–JSP provides scholarships only to participating academic institutions under the Program.

Programs covered by the ADB–JSP are postgraduate studies in

• economics
• management
• health
• education
• agriculture
• environment
• natural resource management
• science and technology
• other development-related fields

Only programs at the participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Regions are eligible for ADB–JSP funding.

No. The Program covers only courses listed as "Approved Fields of Study" under each of the participating institutions.

• Applicants should request information and application forms from the chosen Academic Institution(s). Applicants are encouraged to access various resources, including the institutions' websites and handbooks, and institution information sessions held in-country, to assist them in making an informed decision on the academic institution and course they wish to undertake.
• Applicants should indicate to the academic institution that they are applying for admission and that they would like to be considered for the ADB–JSP Scholarship. The completed Institution application form and required documentation, including the ADB–JSP Information Sheet form, should be submitted to the academic institution. Applicants must ensure that they submit accurate and complete documentation. Failure to do so may result in an application not being processed or to an award being terminated if documentation or information provided is later determined to be false. Applicants are required to submit their latest Income Tax Return or Certification of their Annual Salary/Monthly Salary, whichever is available. They should also submit a Certification of Family Income (Parent's Income).
• The academic institution will screen and rank the applicants, based on its own selection criteria, keeping in view the eligibility requirements and selection criteria of the ADB. In the evaluation process, the academic institution may contact the candidates for further information. The academic institution will then submit its ranked list of applicants to ADB, including a description of the score/grading system which is the basis for the ranking.
• ADB will review the submission from the academic institutions and recommend awardees based on the selection criteria of ADB to the Executive Director of Japan for formal approval.
• Upon approval by the Executive Director of Japan, ADB will advise academic institutions on the successful candidates.
• The academic institution will inform all applicants of the outcome of the selection process and begin to make arrangements for the awardees take up their scholarships.
• The academic institutions will arrange for the signing of the Acceptance of Scholarship Award by awardee wherein the scholars agree that after completion of their study, they will return to their home country. There is a two years employment restriction at the ADB Group after the completion of their academic program
• ADB will send an appropriate congratulatory letter to each scholar.

• Qualifications of the candidate.
• ADB–JSP will give priority to the ranking, or order of merit, proposed by the Designated Institutions.
• Preference to women candidates.
• Preference will be given to applicants with lesser financial capacity.
• The Program will, in principle, not support applicants who have previously studied abroad.
• The Program will, in principle, not support applicants who are pursuing a second master's degree.
• Candidates who are applying at a Designated Institution in their own country may not be selected.
• Diversity of nationalities in the overall Program as well as at each Designated Institution level will be considered.
• Preference will be given to candidates with higher potential to occupy senior positions in development-related work and who have demonstrated professional interest and desire to contribute to development in their home countries.
• Proposed Fields of Study should be closely linked to the candidate’s academic background and professional experience and should be in line with (a) the operational priority areas of ADB's long-term strategy and/or (b) the priority issues and development challenges addressed by Japan’s ODA.

ADB’s operational priority areas under its Strategy 2030 are

• addressing poverty and reducing inequalities;
• accelerating progress in gender equality;
• tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability;
• making cities more livable;
• promoting rural development and food security;
• strengthening governance and institutional capacity; and
• fostering regional cooperation and integration.

In the case of Japan ODA, the priority areas are

• universal health coverage;
• climate change and disaster risk management;
• quality infrastructure investment;
• public finance management; and
• poverty reduction.

Send applications for scholarships at least six months prior to the planned time that you wish to commence studies.

Please refer to the normal month of intake and deadline of application in the participating academic institutions.

You can download the application form in MS Word format or PDF format and photocopy them.

ADB–JSP brochures with information sheets are also available from participating academic institutions, ADB's Public Information Center, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department - Partner Funds Division, and ADB's field offices.

Yes. You may apply to more than one institution simultaneously. However, you should mention this in the application form.

Yes. Applicants should not be more than 35 years of age at the time of application, unless waived in exceptional cases with the expressed endorsement of the Government of Japan.

No. ADB–JSP provides funding only for graduate studies. ADB–JSP does not sponsor undergraduate studies, distance learning programs, short-term training, conferences, seminar, thesis writing and research projects.

No. ADB–JSP provides funding for the scholar only and does not cover expenses for the scholar's spouse or other dependents.

• No separate application to ADB is necessary.
• The completed information sheet, together with all copies of academic records, should be sent to the institution at least six months before the start of the program that you wish to join.
• Only candidates who have been offered admission and endorsed by the participating academic institutions will be considered for the scholarships by ADB.
• The ADB–JSP does not cover: expenses for the scholar's family; extra-curricular courses or training; additional travel during the course of the study program; additional expenses related to supplementary educational materials, field trips, or participation in workshops, seminars, or internships while at the DI or purchase of educational equipment such as computers.
• Completion of the information sheet or admission by the academic institution does not mean that you have been accepted for a scholarship; you should not take any action with respect to your current employment or otherwise, until you have been informed by the institution that you have been awarded a scholarship.
• Candidates who have been awarded ADB–JSP scholarship are not eligible for a second ADB–JSP scholarship.

For further information, contact: