Applications are now open for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program 2027 at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Japan, offering fully funded Master’s degree places to students from Asian Development Bank borrowing member countries.
The scholarship, administered jointly by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Japan, is among the region’s most comprehensive graduate funding packages. Successful applicants will have their full admission fees and complete tuition covered, and will receive a monthly allowance of JPY 144,000 that accounts for housing, books, and instructional materials. The award also includes medical insurance for the duration of study and economy-class airfare between the scholar’s home country and Japan.
The programme supports Master’s-level study at APU, a university that draws students from more than 100 countries and delivers its graduate instruction in English.
Who is eligible
Applicants are generally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree and to have completed at least two years of full-time professional work experience. Strong English proficiency is required, and candidates must satisfy the ADB-JSP nationality criteria along with the programme’s other eligibility conditions.
The nationality requirement is central: only citizens of ADB borrowing member countries may apply. Prospective applicants are advised to confirm their country’s status on the ADB’s official list before beginning the process, as this determines eligibility at the outset.
The two-year work experience threshold reflects the programme’s focus on mid-career professionals rather than students moving directly from undergraduate study. The requirement is not discipline-specific, and applicants from a range of industries and sectors are considered.
Application deadlines.
For the September 2027 intake, APU has set two application deadlines depending on the round in which candidates apply. The first round closes on November 5, 2026, and the second on January 8, 2027.
Applicants who are able to prepare their documentation in time are generally encouraged to apply in the earlier round, which allows more time for visa processing, relocation planning, and any follow-up the university may request.
What applicants should prepare
Candidates will typically need academic transcripts and degree certificates, documentary evidence of professional employment, English proficiency test results such as TOEFL or IELTS where an exemption does not apply, letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae and a statement of purpose setting out their study objectives and career plans.
Standardised English tests can be difficult to schedule close to application deadlines, and recommendation letters depend on the availability of referees. Both are commonly cited reasons for incomplete submissions, and applicants are advised to begin arranging them well ahead of the closing dates.
Further information.
Full details of eligibility requirements, the list of participating Master’s programmes at APU, the complete benefits schedule and the official application procedure are available through the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University admissions pages.
