ADB Scholarship 2025–26 (Fully Funded Study Abroad Guide) Deadline: Vary

The ADB Scholarship is a prestigious opportunity funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan. It provides opportunities for talented students from ADB borrowing member countries to pursue postgraduate studies in development-related fields such as economics, management, science & technology, agriculture, health, environment, and public policy.

Each year, about 135 scholarships are awarded at leading universities in the Asia-Pacific and the USA. The program aims to build future leaders who will contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.

Now, let’s apply for the Asian Development Bank Scholarship. Follow the step-by-step guide of Scholarships Edge to know about benefits, eligibility, required documents and how to apply.

Location:

• ADB Scholarship participating countries

Financed By:

• Asian Development Bank and Government of Japan

Degree Level:

• Master’s

Scholarship Duration:

• 1 year, renewable for the second year (max. 2 years total)

Number of Scholarships Offered:

• 135

Deadline:

• Application deadlines vary from university to university. Please check the university to which you are applying for admission.

ADB Scholarship Eligible Countries:

• Afghanistan
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• Cook Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Georgia
• India
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• Kiribati
• Kyrgyz Republic
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Marshall Islands
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Nauru
• Nepal
• Niue
• Pakistan
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Sri Lanka
• Tajikistan
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Turkmenistan
• Tuvalu
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Vietnam

Available Study Programs in ADB Scholarship:

1. Hong Kong – China

• MS in Urban Design
• MS in Urban Planning

2. India

• Master of Technology in Science and Technology

3. Japan

• Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Agro-Environmental Sciences
• Architecture and Building Engineering
• Asian Public Policy Program
• Bioresources Sciences
• Bioscience and Biotechnology
• Chemical Science and Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science
• Earth and Planetary Sciences
• Economic and Business Law in Asia
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Fundamental Perspectives on Economic and Business Law
• Global Governance and Corporations
• Industrial Engineering and Economics
• Information and Communications Engineering
• Innovation and the Law
• International Course in Management of Civil Infrastructure and Earth Resources Engineering
• International Course in Urban and Regional Development in the Department of Urban Management
• International Project Management Course (M.B.A)
• Life Science and Technology
• Master of Arts in Economics
• Master of Arts in International Development
• Master of Arts in International Relations
• Master of Arts in Public Management
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of E-Business Management
• Master of Economics
• Master of International Studies
• Master of Laws
• Master of Political Science
• Master of Science in Asia Pacific Studies
• Master of Science in Engineering
• Master of Science in International Cooperation Policy
• Master of Systems Design and Management
• Master of Systems Engineering
• Master’s Program in International Environmental Management Program
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mathematical and Computing Science
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Social and Human Science
• Special Course in Agricultural Sciences – For the Global Future of Life, Food and the Environment
• Systems and Control Engineering
• Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering

4. New Zealand

• Master’s in International Business
• Master of Arts (Development Studies)
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Science (Environmental Science)
• Master’s programs in Engineering

5. Pakistan

• Master’s in Business Administration

6. Philippines

• Master’s in Business Administration
• Master’s in Development Management
• Master of Agriculture
• Master of Science

7. Singapore

• Master’s in Business Administration
• Master’s in Public Policy
• Master of Science in Environmental Management
• Master of Social Sciences (Applied Economics)

8. Thailand

• Interdisciplinary Courses among Schools
• Master in Economics
• Master in Engineering
• Master of Science or Engineering in the School of Engineering and Technology
• School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
• School of Management (SOM)

9. United States

• Business Administration
• Business Administration (Global MBA-Japan Track)
• Economics
• Geography
• Master’s in Law
• Natural Resources & Environmental Management
• Ocean and Resources Engineering
• Oceanography
• Pacific Island Studies
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Tropical Plant & Soil Science
• Urban and Regional Planning

Benefits of the ADB Scholarship:

• Monthly stipend
• Full tuition fees
• Housing allowance
• Books and instructional materials allowance
• Medical insurance
• Round-trip airfare (home country ↔ study destination)
• Thesis/research grant (if applicable)

Eligibility Criteria for ADB–JSP Scholarship:

To apply, you must:

• hold citizenship of an ADB borrowing or member country
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with proven academic excellence
• Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience after your bachelor’s degree
• Be under 35 years old (exceptions up to 45 years for senior professionals)
• Be proficient in English (written & spoken)
• Be in good health
• Be willing to return to your home country and work there after your studies

Not eligible:

• ADB staff, directors, consultants, or their relatives.
• Applicants are already enrolled in graduate studies.
• Those living/working outside their home country at the time of application.
• Applicants for undergraduate, short-term training, distance learning, or research-only programs.

Required Documents for Asian Development Bank Scholarship:

Applicants typically need to prepare:

1. University application form (for the chosen graduate program)
2. Fill out the ADB-JSP Information Sheet using the form provided by the university
3. Academic transcripts & degree certificates
4. Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS, if required)
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume
6. Employment certificate(s) verifying required work experience
7. Statement of purpose explaining goals and development commitment
8. Medical certificate confirming good health
9. Valid passport/ID copy
10. Recommendation letters (usually from employers or professors)

Note: Requirements may vary by institution, so always check the official university website.

How to apply for ADB Scholarship:

The application process goes through partner universities, not directly to ADB:

1. Pick a participating university and an eligible master’s program from the official list of institutions offering the Japan Scholarship Program.
2. Complete your application for the university’s program and clearly indicate that you wish to be considered for the ADB-JSP Scholarship.
3. Submit the ADB-JSP information sheet + required documents to the institution.
4. The institution evaluates applications and recommends shortlisted candidates to ADB.
5. ADB finalizes the awardees and sends notifications to the respective university and applicant.
6. Application deadlines vary by institution, but most fall between December – March for programs starting the next academic year.