ADB-Japan Scholarships at Ritsumeikan APU 2027 (Fully Funded) | Asian Development Bank (ADB) / Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) | Brilliant Scholarship
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ADB-Japan Scholarships at Ritsumeikan APU 2027 (Fully Funded)
Fully funded Master's scholarship in Japan for professionals from ADB developing countries, via Ritsumeikan APU.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) / Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
Overview
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program, commonly known as ADB-JSP, at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan offers a comprehensive funding package for professionals from eligible developing countries who want to pursue a Master's degree in Japan. The scholarship is a joint initiative between the Asian Development Bank and the government of Japan, channeled through Ritsumeikan APU as the host institution. Rather than supporting fresh graduates straight out of a bachelor's programme, ADB-JSP is specifically designed for working professionals who already have some career experience and who plan to return to their home countries after graduation to contribute to economic and social development there. For mid-career professionals from ADB developing member countries who want to strengthen their qualifications through a Japanese Master's degree without taking on significant financial burden, this scholarship offers a well-established and structured path forward.
Scholarship Details
Successful ADB-JSP scholars at APU receive full coverage of both tuition and admission fees, removing what are typically the two largest cost components of a Japanese Master's degree. On top of these fee waivers, scholars receive a monthly allowance of JPY 144,000, which includes housing support, giving recipients a stable income to cover living costs throughout their studies in Japan. The scholarship also covers books and instructional materials, medical insurance for the duration of study, and economy-class airfare both to Japan at the start of the programme and back to the scholar's home country after graduation. While the scholarship duration normally spans up to two years for a full Master's degree, funding is initially provided for one year, with continuation into the second year dependent on the student maintaining satisfactory academic performance and continuing to meet the scholarship's conditions, so scholars need to sustain strong academic standing throughout their first year to secure ongoing support.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for ADB-JSP is built around several interconnected criteria. Applicants must be citizens of an eligible developing member country of the Asian Development Bank that qualifies under the relevant Japanese ODA scholarship requirements; examples of eligible countries include Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan, among other ADB borrowing member countries, though applicants should always confirm their country's current eligibility against the official ADB-JSP requirements, since the list of eligible countries and specific conditions can change over time. Applicants must normally be 35 years old or younger at the time of application, hold a bachelor's degree or its recognised equivalent, and demonstrate a strong academic record. A defining requirement of this scholarship is professional experience: applicants must have at least two years of full-time professional work experience acquired specifically after completing their bachelor's degree, meaning that any work undertaken before finishing the bachelor's degree does not count toward this requirement. Applicants are generally expected to be working and residing in their home country at the time of application, where required under the scholarship rules, and must meet APU's own admission requirements for their selected Master's programme, including sufficient English proficiency for graduate-level study. Income requirements also apply: according to the published scholarship information, applicants should have an annual family income of no more than USD 50,000 and a personal annual income of no more than USD 25,000, with selected applicants potentially required to submit official documentation verifying these income figures. The scholarship is generally not intended for applicants who already hold a Master's degree and are seeking a second one, nor for those already enrolled in a graduate programme elsewhere. Finally, successful scholars must agree to return to their home country after completing the degree and work there for at least two years, reflecting the scholarship's core development mission.
Fields of Study & Programs
ADB-JSP at Ritsumeikan APU supports study at the Master's degree level only, with a particular focus on programmes related to Asia Pacific studies, international development, and related fields that align with APU's own academic strengths. Because the scholarship is intended to help professionals return home and contribute directly to their country's economic and social development, applicants are encouraged to select a Master's programme that closely connects with their existing career background and their intended contribution after returning home, rather than choosing a programme purely for personal interest disconnected from their professional trajectory. Prospective applicants should carefully review APU's current graduate programme offerings to confirm that their intended Master's programme is specifically eligible for ADB-JSP consideration, since not every graduate programme at the university may qualify.
Participating Universities
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, generally known as APU, is the sole host institution for this particular ADB-Japan Scholarship pathway. Located in Beppu, in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, APU has built a strong international reputation specifically around its focus on Asia Pacific studies and its genuinely multicultural student body, drawing students from dozens of countries across the region and beyond. The university's academic strengths in international development, regional studies, and cross-cultural management make it a particularly well-suited host for a scholarship explicitly aimed at supporting professionals who intend to return to their home countries and contribute to national development. APU's Beppu campus offers a distinctive experience compared with study in one of Japan's larger cities, combining a strong academic environment with a close-knit international campus community set in a scenic, hot-spring region of Japan.
How to Apply
Applying for ADB-JSP at APU follows a structure that differs from scholarships where students apply directly to the funding body. The first step is to carefully check eligibility, confirming that an applicant's nationality, age, academic background, work experience, income level, and study history all satisfy the ADB-JSP requirements before investing time in the rest of the process. The next step is to choose an eligible APU Master's programme that matches both the applicant's academic background and career goals, while confirming that the specific programme is eligible for ADB-JSP consideration. Applicants then need to prepare a full set of documents for the APU graduate admission application, which typically includes academic transcripts, a bachelor's degree certificate, passport or identification documents, English language proficiency documents, a curriculum vitae, a statement of purpose or other application essays, employment certificates, and income documents, along with any other materials APU requires. Once the online application system opens on September 1, 2026, for the September 2027 intake, applicants can create their application and enter accurate academic and professional information. During this same APU application process, applicants who meet the requirements can request consideration for the ADB-Japan Scholarship directly, without needing to submit any separate application to ADB itself. A particularly important step is uploading proof of work experience: employment certificates need to clearly demonstrate at least two years of qualifying full-time professional experience obtained after the bachelor's degree, and if an applicant worked for multiple employers during that period, certificates from each employer may be required to substantiate the total qualifying experience. After submitting the complete application and all required documents before the applicable deadline, APU reviews applicants and identifies suitable candidates to nominate for ADB-JSP; however, being considered by APU does not automatically guarantee the scholarship, since final selection rests with the Asian Development Bank, which reviews APU's nominated candidates and makes the ultimate funding decision.
Deadlines & Important Dates
For the September 2027 intake, ADB-JSP applicants through APU have two separate application deadlines to choose from: a first deadline of November 5, 2026, and a second deadline of January 8, 2027. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during the earliest suitable round rather than waiting for the second deadline, since applying earlier generally provides more time for both APU's internal review and the subsequent ADB nomination and selection process. The APU online application system itself opens on September 1, 2026, giving applicants roughly two months of preparation time before the first deadline. Because the process involves multiple stages, including APU's own review, nomination, and then a final decision by the Asian Development Bank, applicants should build in ample time between submitting their application and the September 2027 start date to accommodate the full sequence of reviews.
Life as a Scholar
Scholars who join APU under the ADB-JSP arrangement become part of one of Japan's most internationally diverse university communities, since APU deliberately recruits a large proportion of its student body from countries across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. This creates a genuinely multicultural learning environment where ADB-JSP scholars, many of whom share a similar background as working professionals from developing countries, can build a strong peer network alongside classmates navigating similar career transitions. Because the monthly allowance includes housing support, scholars can focus their attention on their studies rather than being overwhelmed by daily living costs while adjusting to life in Japan. Beppu, APU's host city, offers a quieter, more affordable alternative to studying in Tokyo or Osaka, while still providing meaningful cultural immersion in Japan, including access to the region's famous hot springs and a strong sense of local community. Given the scholarship's structured requirement that scholars return home after graduation, many ADB-JSP scholars use their time at APU deliberately to build both the technical skills and the professional networks they intend to draw on once they resume their careers back in their home countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply directly to the Asian Development Bank? No, applicants must first apply for admission to APU and request ADB-JSP consideration through the university's own application system; there is no separate direct application to ADB.
Do I need prior work experience to apply? Yes, applicants generally need at least two years of full-time professional experience obtained after completing their bachelor's degree.
Is there an age limit? Applicants are normally expected to be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
Can I apply if I already have a Master's degree? Generally no, the scholarship is not intended for applicants who already hold a Master's degree and are seeking a second one.
Does the scholarship cover the full two years automatically? Not automatically. The scholarship normally covers the first year, with continuation into the second year dependent on satisfactory academic performance and continued compliance with scholarship conditions.
Do I have to return to my home country after graduating? Yes, scholars are required to return to their home country after completing the degree and work there for at least two years.
Final Thoughts
For mid-career professionals from eligible ADB developing member countries, the ADB-Japan Scholarship at Ritsumeikan APU offers a substantial and well-structured opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in Japan without significant financial strain, combining full tuition and admission fee coverage with a generous monthly allowance, airfare, books, and medical insurance. Because eligibility depends on a specific combination of nationality, age, academic background, work experience, and income criteria, and because the application must be made through APU rather than directly to ADB, prospective applicants should review the current official requirements closely and begin preparing their documentation, particularly employment certificates proving qualifying work experience, well ahead of the November 5, 2026 first deadline.
Award Amount
JPY 144,000 monthly allowance (including housing support) plus full tuition, admission fee, books, medical insurance, and airfare coverage
Payment: Monthly
Deadline
2026-11-05
First deadline November 5, 2026; second deadline January 8, 2027, for September 2027 intake. Application system opens September 1, 2026.
Duration
Normally up to 2 years for a Master's degree; first year funded initially, with second-year continuation dependent on satisfactory academic performance
Renewable
Yes
About This Scholarship
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University offers fully funded Master's study in Japan for professionals from eligible ADB developing member countries. Scholars receive full tuition and admission fee coverage, a JPY 144,000 monthly allowance including housing support, books, medical insurance, and airfare. Applicants must be 35 or younger, hold a bachelor's degree, have at least 2 years of post-degree work experience, meet income limits (family income under USD 50,000, personal income under USD 25,000), and commit to returning home for at least 2 years after graduation. Applications are submitted through APU, not directly to ADB, with deadlines of November 5, 2026 and January 8, 2027 for September 2027 entry.
Eligible Study Levels
Master
Fields of Study
Asia Pacific StudiesInternational Development
Available Countries
Japan
Eligibility Requirements
Citizen of an eligible ADB borrowing member country (e.g. Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan)
Normally 35 years old or younger at time of application
Bachelor's degree or equivalent with a strong academic record
At least 2 years of full-time professional experience after completing bachelor's degree
Generally working and residing in home country when applying, where required
Must meet APU's admission requirements including sufficient English proficiency
Academic Requirements
Language Requirements:
Sufficient English proficiency for graduate-level study
Application Process
1Check eligibility against ADB-JSP requirements (nationality, age, academic background, work experience, income, study history)
2Choose an eligible APU Master's program aligned with career goals
3Prepare required documents (transcripts, degree certificate, passport, English documents, CV, statement of purpose, employment certificates, income documents)
4Start the APU online application (opens September 1, 2026)
5Request ADB-JSP consideration within the APU application (no separate ADB application)
6Upload proof of work experience via employment certificates
7Submit the APU application before the applicable deadline
8Await APU's review and nomination, then ADB's final selection decision
Required Documents
Academic Transcripts*Required
Official transcripts from previous institutions
Bachelor's Degree Certificate*Required
Proof of completed bachelor's degree
Passport/Identification*Required
Valid identification document
Partner Universities
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
Beppu, Japan
Additional Benefits
Full tuition fee coverage
Full admission fee coverage
Books and instructional materials
Medical insurance
Economy-class airfare to Japan and return airfare after completion
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
📚 Researched & curated by a current applicant · Updated regularly
