ADB-Japan Scholarship Program: Eligibility for ASEAN Students Pursuing Development Studies
By Muntasir • Published Nov 22, 2025 • Updated Aug 08, 2026 • Scholarships & Funding, Study in Southeast Asia
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) funds a full master's degree at 27 partner universities across Asia and the Pacific for applicants from ADB's developing member countries. Nine ASEAN countries qualify: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Singapore and Brunei are not eligible.
🎓 Covers tuition, a monthly living and housing allowance, books, medical insurance and travel
You need a bachelor's degree plus at least 2 years of full time work experience
Applicants must be under 35 years old
📩 Apply through your chosen partner university, not directly to ADB
Scholars commit to work in their home country for at least 2 years after graduating
Who qualifies for ADB-JSP
The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program funds master's study at 27 partner universities across the Asia-Pacific region, 17 of them in Japan. ADB and the Japanese government fund roughly 130 to 135 new scholarships a year in fields tied to development: economics, business and management, science and technology, and related disciplines.
Eligibility runs through ADB's developing member country (DMC) list. Nine ASEAN countries are on it: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Singapore and Brunei sit outside the DMC borrowing group, so their citizens do not qualify.
Eligibility checklist
Citizen of one of the nine eligible ASEAN countries, with no dual citizenship in a developed country
Holds a bachelor's degree with a strong academic record
At least 2 years of full time professional work experience completed after graduating
Under 35 years old at the time of application, with exceptions needing approval from the Japanese funding side
English proficiency strong enough to study a master's programme taught in English
Not currently enrolled in another graduate programme
Not an ADB staff member, an employee of a partner institution, or a close relative of an ADB executive
What the scholarship pays for
ADB-JSP is fully funded. It covers full tuition fees, a monthly subsistence allowance that includes housing, books and instructional materials, medical insurance and travel costs to and from the host university. Thesis scholars get access to an additional research preparation grant on top of the standard package.
How to apply
ADB does not run a single central application form. You apply directly to your chosen partner university's admissions office, and request an ADB-JSP application form as part of that process. The university reviews your academic file first, then forwards eligible candidates to ADB for the scholarship decision. Deadlines and required documents vary by university, so confirm the exact dates with the admissions office of your target school well before you plan to start.
The return-to-home-country commitment
ADB-JSP is a development scholarship, not a general study grant. Scholars agree in writing to return to and work in their home country for at least 2 years after finishing the programme. This term reflects the fund's purpose: building capacity inside ADB's developing member countries rather than funding permanent migration. If your career plan is to settle abroad long-term, factor this bond into your decision before you apply.
Choosing a field and university
Because the fund exists to build development capacity, applications with a clear link between your intended master's and a development problem in your home country stand out. A public health specialist tackling rural healthcare access, or an engineer targeting infrastructure gaps, fits the programme's purpose better than a generic MBA application. Match your target university to your field: technical and engineering-focused DMCs partner heavily with Japanese universities, while some Southeast Asian partner schools concentrate on economics and public policy.
Documents to prepare
Official transcripts and degree certificate
Employment verification letters covering your 2 years of work experience
A study plan connecting your intended degree to a development goal in your home country
English test scores if your prior education was not in English
Two academic or professional references
Study fields ADB-JSP funds
| Field | Examples |
|---|---|
| Economics | Development economics, public finance |
| Business and management | Public administration, project management |
| Science and technology | Engineering, environmental science, IT |
| Other development-related fields | Public health, agriculture, urban planning |
Confirm your target university offers a master's inside one of these fields before you request an ADB-JSP application form, since the scholarship funds degrees within these categories, not a general course of study outside them.
How long the process takes
Expect several months between submitting your application to a partner university and receiving a funding decision, since the university reviews your academic file first before forwarding your case to ADB. Start your university application at least one full admissions cycle before your intended start date, and confirm with the admissions office whether ADB-JSP decisions arrive before or after the general offer round, since this varies by institution.
Frequently asked questions
Do you apply directly to ADB?
No. Applications go through your chosen partner university's admissions office, not directly to ADB. The university handles the academic review and forwards eligible candidates for the scholarship decision.
What happens if you break the 2 year home-country commitment?
The commitment is a condition of the award, and partner universities and ADB expect scholars to honor it in writing before funding is released. Review the exact terms with your host university's financial aid office before signing your award letter, since enforcement details vary by country and institution.
Do ADB-JSP scholars combine it with another scholarship?
No. ADB-JSP is a full scholarship, and partner universities generally do not allow you to hold two full scholarships for the same degree at the same time. If you already accepted a different full scholarship for the same programme, withdraw from one before your host university processes the ADB-JSP award.