Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program | Apply Now
Citizens of ADB borrowing member countries only
Program Overview!
Looking for a fully funded master’s scholarship to study environmental or sustainability science at a top Japanese university? The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Frontier Sciences (GSFS) gives qualified applicants from ADB borrowing member countries full tuition coverage plus living support and travel. It’s ideal for early-career professionals (≥2 years’ experience) seeking a 1–2 year master’s in environmental, international or sustainability studies — especially those who plan to return home and use their skills for development.
The Graduate School of Frontier Sciences (GSFS) at The University of Tokyo is a multidisciplinary graduate school hosting environmental studies, international studies and a Graduate Program in Sustainability Science. GSFS conducts research and teaching on environment and sustainability issues and admits international students through several scholarship schemes, including designated ADB-JSP slots. The school’s designated departments receive nominations under ADB-JSP and confer master’s degrees in Environmental Studies, International Studies or Sustainability Science depending on the program.
ADB-JSP gives citizens of ADB borrowing member countries an opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at designated institutions — here, GSFS at UTokyo — with ADB covering tuition and providing living and research support. At GSFS the designated units are the Division of Environmental Studies (five departments) and the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science. Applicants will be nominated by GSFS to ADB for final selection.
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Benefits:
- Full tuition & enrollment fees covered by ADB-JSP.
- Monthly subsistence/housing allowance (commonly ~¥147,000/month at many DIs; institution variants exist).
- Book instructional material allowance and research allowance (amounts vary; typical DIs list specific USD/JPY figures per year/term).
- Medical/accident insurance and related travel fees (round-trip economy airfare to/from home country).
- One scholar only — ADB-JSP covers the scholar (dependents not covered).
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Eligibility Criteria
- National of an ADB borrowing member country.
- Applying for a master’s course in one of the designated GSFS departments / GPSS (PhD applicants are ineligible).
- At least 2 years’ full-time professional work experience (after undergraduate degree) in a relevant field at the time of application.
- Age limit: Not more than 35 years old at the time of application (GSFS will not recommend candidates over 35).
- Must not already hold a master’s degree (second-master applicants are ineligible).
- Agree to return to your home country and work for at least 2 years after completing the master’s program.
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Application Process
- Check ADB-JSP eligibility on the official ADB JSP page (ADB sets the core scholarship eligibility rules).
- Find and contact potential GSFS supervisors in your preferred department (recommended — thesis supervision is required for graduation). Use the GSFS faculty pages to identify supervisors.
- Prepare GSFS application materials (designated GSFS forms): Application Form; Field of Study & Research Plan; official transcripts; graduation certificate; two confidential recommendation letters (use GSFS designated form if possible).
- Submit: Upload all application materials (except recommendation letters) via the GSFS submission channel by December 10, 2025. Recommendation letters must be sent directly from referees to the International Liaison Office by December 10, 2025. (If you can’t use the form, GSFS accepts email submissions with the specified title.)
- First screening result: GSFS will notify applicants of the first screening (around mid-February 2026). Successful candidates will be asked to submit originals and additional documents required for the ADB scholarship by March 20, 2026 (nomination deadline).
- ADB selection: ADB notifies the final selection (expected May 2026).
- Admission & immigration procedures take place May–September; scholars enter Japan and enroll at GSFS (autumn semester begins October 1).
Required documents (summary) — GSFS designated forms + official academic documents + 2 recommendation letters:
- GSFS Application Form (designated)
- Field of Study & Research Plan (designated)
- Official transcript (bachelor)
- Official certificate of graduation (bachelor)
- Two confidential recommendation letters (submitted by referees)
(Full list and forms are on the GSFS guideline.)
About Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program
Looking for a fully funded master’s scholarship to study environmental or sustainability science at a top Japanese university? The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Frontier Sciences (GSFS) gives qualified applicants from ADB borrowing member countries full tuition coverage plus living support and travel. It’s ideal for early-career professionals (≥2 years’ experience) seeking a 1–2 year master’s in environmental, international or sustainability studies — especially those who plan to return home and use their skills for development.
The Graduate School of Frontier Sciences (GSFS) at The University of Tokyo is a multidisciplinary graduate school hosting environmental studies, international studies and a Graduate Program in Sustainability Science. GSFS conducts research and teaching on environment and sustainability issues and admits international students through several scholarship schemes, including designated ADB-JSP slots. The school’s designated departments receive nominations under ADB-JSP and confer master’s degrees in Environmental Studies, International Studies or Sustainability Science depending on the program.
ADB-JSP gives citizens of ADB borrowing member countries an opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at designated institutions — here, GSFS at UTokyo — with ADB covering tuition and providing living and research support. At GSFS the designated units are the Division of Environmental Studies (five departments) and the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science. Applicants will be nominated by GSFS to ADB for final selection.
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