The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) is a fully funded Master's scholarship for people who already have a working life behind them. Japan funds it and the Asian Development Bank runs it. The money supports study in development-related fields at around 24 partner universities across the Asia-Pacific region and Japan. If you are a fresh graduate hoping for a funded Master's straight after your bachelor's, this one is not for you. If you have spent a couple of years in a ministry, a bank, an engineering firm, an NGO or a planning department and want a degree that connects to that work, read on. You can also see the full scholarship details on our scholarship page.
The single thing that trips up most applicants is the route. You do not apply to ADB. You apply to a partner university, and that university nominates you to ADB. Everything else in this guide follows from that.
The ADB-JSP in one table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | Asian Development Bank, funded by Japan |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Level | Master's |
| Where you study | Around 24 partner universities across Asia-Pacific and Japan |
| Work experience | At least 2 years full-time |
| Deadline | Varies by partner university, commonly November to January |
| Official site | ADB-Japan Scholarship Program |
Why you apply through a university and not through ADB
Many students spend weeks searching for a central ADB application form. There is no central portal to find. The process runs like this: you pick a partner university in your field, you contact that university (and ideally an intended supervisor) to express interest, and then you apply directly to that institution. The university reviews you and nominates you to ADB for the scholarship.
This has two practical consequences. First, your real audience is the university. Your letter of intent, your choice of programme and your fit with a supervisor or department matter a great deal, because the institution decides whether your name goes forward. Second, each university sets its own timetable. There is no single ADB-JSP deadline that applies to everyone.
Fields the scholarship is built around
ADB-JSP is a development scholarship. The eligible fields are economics, business and management, science and technology, infrastructure, public policy, urban planning and environment, plus other development-related fields. A Master's in pure literature or fine arts is unlikely to fit. A Master's in public policy, transport, water management, development economics or environmental management is exactly the kind of thing this programme exists for.
My honest advice: pick a programme you can link to the work you have already done. A water engineer applying for an environment-focused Master's has an easy story to tell. Someone who has worked two years in sales and suddenly wants urban planning will need to explain the jump very clearly.
What the funding pays for
The package is comprehensive. It includes:
- Full tuition
- A monthly stipend, commonly cited at around JPY 147,000
- Economy airfare
- A book and miscellaneous allowance
- Medical insurance
Treat the stipend figure as a guide, not a promise. It is described as "commonly cited", and since the partner universities span multiple countries, check the exact stipend for your chosen university on the official ADB page or with the institution itself before you plan your budget.
The eligibility rules, and which one catches people
To be considered you need to meet all of the following:
- Be a national of an ADB borrowing member country
- Hold a bachelor's degree with a strong academic record
- Have at least 2 years of full-time professional experience
- Be 35 or under (up to 45 for senior-official tracks)
On nationality: the requirement is about ADB borrowing member countries, so Pakistani applicants should confirm on the official ADB-JSP page that their nationality is on the current eligible list before investing time in an application.
The work experience rule is the one that rules out the most people. It says full-time professional experience, so internships, part-time tutoring and unpaid volunteering during university are unlikely to count toward the 2 years. Get an experience letter from each employer that shows your dates and that the role was full-time.
The age limit also deserves attention. The standard ceiling is 35. The higher ceiling of 45 applies to senior-official tracks, so if you are over 35 and not in a senior government role, check carefully with your target university before applying.
Documents to prepare early
The documents list is short, but each item needs care:
- Application form
- Transcripts
- CV
- Recommendation letters
- Letter of intent to your chosen university or supervisor
Pakistani applicants should allow time for degree and transcript attestation, since universities abroad often want verified copies. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through that process.
For a working professional, the CV and recommendation letters carry extra weight. Your CV should show what you did in each job, not just your title. At least one recommendation should come from a supervisor at work who can speak about your professional contribution, because the scholarship is aimed at people with genuine field experience. The letter of intent should be written for one specific university and programme. A generic letter sent to several institutions reads as exactly that.
Getting the timing right
Start 6-12 months before the intake you want. That window is for contacting the partner university and your intended supervisor, not for writing the application in a rush. University-specific deadlines are commonly November to January, but each institution sets its own date, so do not rely on one date you saw somewhere.
A sensible sequence looks like this:
- Shortlist partner universities whose programmes match your field and work history.
- Email the admissions office or an intended supervisor, introduce yourself briefly and explain why their programme fits your work.
- Confirm that university's own ADB-JSP deadline and application requirements.
- Collect transcripts, recommendation letters and your CV, and draft the letter of intent.
- Submit your application directly to the institution, which will nominate you to ADB.
Mistakes I see applicants make
Searching for a central ADB portal is the most common one, and it wastes valuable months. Contact the university.
The second is assuming deadlines are unified. They are not. Confirm the deadline for your specific partner university individually and write it down.
The third is applying with thin experience. If you are a few months short of 2 years of full-time work, it is usually wiser to wait one cycle than to submit an application that fails the basic test.
The fourth is a weak link between past work and the proposed degree. ADB-JSP funds development-related study for professionals. Show how the Master's builds on what you have done and what you plan to do with it.
If you are applying to several funded programmes at once, our documents checklist for international scholarships helps you keep everything organised. For other options in the same country, see all Japan scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply to ADB directly?
No. Applications go through your chosen partner university, which then nominates candidates to ADB.
Can a fresh graduate apply?
No. You need at least 2 years of full-time professional experience.
Is there one deadline for everyone?
No. Deadlines vary by partner university and are commonly November to January. Check your chosen institution's date individually.
Is it fully funded?
Yes. It covers full tuition, a monthly stipend (commonly cited at around JPY 147,000), economy airfare, a book and miscellaneous allowance, and medical insurance. Confirm the exact stipend with your university.
What is the age limit?
Applicants should be 35 or under. The limit goes up to 45 for senior-official tracks.
Can Pakistani students apply?
The scholarship is for nationals of ADB borrowing member countries. Check the current eligible country list on the official ADB page to confirm your nationality qualifies.
Before you contact any university, read the eligibility and partner list on the official ADB-JSP website, and keep the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program page handy for a quick reference.