Already working in a development-related field and looking to level up with a Master’s degree, without the tuition bill that usually comes with it? The Asia Pacific University ADB Scholarship 2027 could be exactly the opportunity you need, offering a fully funded graduate degree in Japan through the Asian Development Bank’s flagship scholarship program.
Known as the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP), this award has been funding graduate studies since 1988, backed by the Government of Japan and administered by the Asian Development Bank. Asia Pacific University (APU) has been a designated institution since 2010, meaning it selects and recommends eligible candidates directly to ADB-JSP each year.
However, this scholarship works a little differently than most: you apply to APU first, and APU forwards your application to ADB-JSP for final review. Therefore, understanding both application stages matters just as much as meeting the eligibility criteria itself.
Quick Facts
- Host Institution: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), Japan
- Program Type: Master’s degree in development-related fields
- Funded By: Asian Development Bank and the Government of Japan
- Eligible Applicants: Nationals of ADB borrowing member countries and Japanese ODA-eligible countries
- Duration: 1 year initially, with a possible extension to 2 years based on academic performance
- Application Deadline: November 5, 2026, or January 8, 2027 (APU application stage, for September 2027 enrollment)
About the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
The ADB-JSP was created to give well-qualified citizens of ADB’s developing member countries the chance to pursue graduate studies in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields across the Asia-Pacific region. It funds roughly 130 scholarships every year across 27 designated institutions, 17 of which are in Japan.
As a result, this isn’t a one-off award tied to a single university — it’s a well-established, multi-decade program with a track record of placing scholars who go on to apply their training back home. If you’re exploring other fully funded routes into graduate study, the Chevening Scholarship 2027 in the UK is another strong option worth comparing.
What’s Covered (Financial Benefits)
The ADB-JSP is a genuine full-ride scholarship. Recipients receive:
- Full tuition and admission fees
- A monthly subsistence and housing allowance
- A book allowance
- Medical insurance
- Round-trip economy class airfare between your home country and Japan
- A thesis or research grant, where applicable
Callout: Coverage runs for the full duration of your studies, making this one of the more generous packages available to graduate students from developing countries — comparable in scope to the One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026, which similarly bundles funding well beyond just tuition.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ADB-JSP Scholarship at APU, you must:
- Be a national of an ADB borrowing member country and a Japanese ODA-eligible country
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with good academic standing
- Have at least two years of full-time professional work experience after your degree
- Be under 35 years old at the time of application (exceptions up to 45 exist for senior officials, with government endorsement)
- Demonstrate strong oral and written English communication skills
- Be in good health
- Agree to return home for at least two years after completing your studies
Note that ADB staff, consultants, and their close relatives are not eligible to apply. Eligibility windows like this are worth checking closely — much like the country-specific requirements on the University of Milan DSU Scholarship, small details can make or break your application.
Required Documents
Before applying, prepare the following:
- Completed APU Online Application (for a graduate program)
- ADB-JSP application sheet, once requested by APU
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- A Certificate of Employment issued by your current employer, showing your role, employment dates, and income
- CV detailing your work experience
- Proof of English proficiency, where required by your chosen program
If your current employment is under two years, you’ll also need a Certificate of Employment from your previous employer to demonstrate the full two-year requirement.
How to Apply
- Apply to APU through the online application system by November 5, 2026, or January 8, 2027, requesting consideration for the ADB-JSP Scholarship.
- APU reviews all applications and selects suitable candidates to recommend to ADB-JSP, typically by mid-March.
- Selected candidates prepare additional documents requested directly by ADB-JSP.
- Applicants are notified of their APU application results alongside their scholarship candidacy status.
- Final scholarship results are decided by ADB-JSP by the end of June.
Therefore, getting your APU application in early — well before the January deadline — gives you the best shot at being shortlisted for ADB-JSP consideration. For a broader sense of what’s out there, browse our full list of fully funded scholarships while you prepare your documents.