Study Abroad ScholarshipVerified for 2026

ADB-Japan Scholarship Program

Asian Development Bank / Government of Japan

All India

Deadline: 31 Jul 2026

About the Program

Comprehensive guide for ADB-Japan Scholarship Program. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

Total scholarship amount

₹17.0 Lakh+

The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program is a fully funded scholarship. It covers full tuition fees, a monthly subsistence allowance (including housing, approximately JPY 147,000 per month), a book and instructional materials allowance, medical insurance, and round-trip economy class travel expenses. Research scholars may also receive a special grant for thesis preparation, and in some cases, funding may cover language training or preparatory courses. Expenses for dependents or extracurricular activities are not covered. The estimated annual amount of 1,700,000 INR is based on an average monthly stipend of JPY 147,000 (approx. 1,040,760 INR annually), estimated tuition fees (approx. 482,000 INR for public universities in Japan), and allowances for travel, books, and medical insurance (approx. 177,000 INR), using an exchange rate of 1 JPY = 0.59 INR.

Inclusions

- **Nationality**: Must be a national of an ADB borrowing member country
Applicants from countries that are no longer borrowing from ADB are not eligible
Dual citizenship with any developed country is not permitted. - **Academic Qualification**: Must possess a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent with a superior academic record
This often translates to a cGPA of 3.5/4.0 or higher. - **Work Experience**: Must have at least two
(2) years of full-time professional work experience (acquired after a university degree) at the time of application. - **English Proficiency**: Must be proficient in oral and written English to facilitate graduate-level study. - **Age Limit**: Must not be more than 35 years old at the time of application (exceptions are rare). - **Health**: Must be in good health. - **Return to Home Country**: Must agree to return to and work in their home country for a period of at least two years after completion of studies under the program. - **Previous Degrees**: May not have already earned a Master's or doctoral degree, and may not be currently enrolled in such a degree program (the program will not support applicants pursuing a second Master's degree). - **Affiliation**: May not be an Executive Director, Alternate Director, management member, or staff of the ADB, nor a consultant to the same or a relative of any of the aforementioned
Staff of ADB-JSP designated institutions are also ineligible. - **Residency**: May not be living or working in a country other than their home country at the time of application. - **Financial Capacity**: Preference is given to applicants with lesser financial capacity
family income should not exceed US$50,000 per year, and individual income should not exceed US$25,000 per year.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Masters

Must be enrolled in Masters. Minimum 88% marks required in previous exam.

Financial & Category

Income LimitNo Income Bar

Applicable CategoryGeneral, OBC, SC, ST

Selection Process

The selection process is highly competitive and involves multiple stages
Applicants must first gain admission to an approved postgraduate course in one of the participating academic institutions
The academic institution then screens and ranks applicants based on its own selection criteria, while adhering to ADB's eligibility requirements
A shortlist of candidates is recommended by the institution to the ADB for scholarship consideration
The final scholarship awardees are selected by the ADB from among these nominees
Key selection criteria include a superior academic record, relevant professional work experience, and alignment with ADB's development objectives
Preference is given to women candidates and applicants demonstrating greater financial need
Some institutions may conduct an oral examination as part of their screening process.

Renewal Policy

The scholarship is awarded for a period of one to two years, with a maximum duration of two years for Master's, MS, and MBA programs
Renewal for the second year (if applicable for a two-year program) is generally contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and progress.

Application Process

1
**Identify Participating Institutions**
Review the list of designated academic institutions in Japan (and other Asia-Pacific countries) that offer programs eligible for the ADB-JSP. The official ADB website provides a list of these institutions.
2
**Request Information**
Contact your chosen academic institution(s) directly to request detailed information, application forms, and specific deadlines for admission and scholarship consideration.
3
**Apply for Admission**
Complete the academic institution's application form for your desired Master's program. During this process, clearly indicate that you wish to be considered for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program.
4
**Gather Documents**
Prepare all required documentation, including the university's application materials, your academic transcripts, English proficiency proof, work experience certificates, income statements (both individual and family), and the specific ADB-JSP Information Sheet.
5
**Submit Application**
Submit all completed application forms and supporting documents directly to your chosen academic institution by their specified deadline. Ensure all documentation is accurate and complete, as incomplete applications may not be processed.
6
**Selection Process**
The academic institution will screen and rank applicants, then recommend a shortlist to the ADB. The final selection will be made by the ADB.
7
**Notification**
Successful candidates will be notified by the academic institution or the ADB.

Documents Required

Completed application form of the chosen academic institution

ADB-JSP Information Sheet (Form 1)

Copy of Degree Certificate and Transcript of a 4-year undergraduate degree program (showing a superior academic record, e.g., cGPA 3.5 and above)

English proficiency test score (e.g., IELTS Academic: 6 or AIT EET ≥ 6.0, TOEFL ≥ 550) as required by the institution

Work certificate(s) from employer(s) (on company letterhead/logo, signed by authorized signatory, including start/end dates of employment, position, and monthly/annual income)

Latest Income Tax Return or a Certification of Annual/Monthly Salary

Certification of Family Income (Parent's income if unmarried; Spouse's income if married), certified by the local Municipality

USD Conversion Form for income statements (if income is in local currency)

Evaluation Report (if required by the specific institution)

Additional supporting documents as requested by the chosen academic institution

Important Dates

Application Deadline

31 July 2026

The primary final application deadline for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program for the 2026/2027 academic intake is generally July 31, 2026, for the 2026 program. However, official application deadlines vary significantly by participating university, with some institutions, such as Nagoya University and the University of Tokyo, having had deadlines as early as June 30, 2026, for their April 2027 intake.

Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.

Scholarship Quick Facts

Provider TypeStudy Abroad

Education LevelMasters

Application Mode

State/RegionAll India

Income LimitNo Limit

Last Verified2026

Common Questions (FAQs)

Q.Can I apply directly to the Asian Development Bank for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program?

No, direct applications to the ADB are not accepted. You must apply for admission to a Master's program at one of the ADB-JSP designated academic institutions and indicate your interest in the scholarship through their application process. The institution will then recommend eligible candidates to the ADB.

Q.Is the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program available for PhD studies or undergraduate degrees?

No, the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program is exclusively for Master's degree programs in development-related fields such as economics, business and management, science and technology, and other relevant areas. It does not support undergraduate or doctoral studies.

Q.What is considered a 'superior academic record' for eligibility?

A 'superior academic record' generally means a strong performance in your Bachelor's degree. While specific percentage marks may vary by institution, it is informally considered to be a GPA equivalent to about 3.5 out of 4.0 or higher.

Q.Are there any restrictions on returning to my home country after completing the scholarship?

Yes, a core condition of the scholarship is that recipients must agree to return to and work in their home country for at least two years after the completion of their studies. This commitment is central to the program's goal of contributing to the economic and social development of ADB's developing member countries.

Help & Contact Support

Official Support

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HelplineCheck portal for email/phone support

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Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Asian Development Bank / Government of Japan website before final submission.