Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) 2027: AfDB Master’s in Japan
- Study in
- Japan
- Levels
- Master's
- Funding
- Fully funded
- Covers
- Tuition, monthly stipend, return flights, health insurance
- Who can apply
- Citizens of AfDB regional member countries, 35 or under, relevant bachelor's and at least one year of paid work
- Run by
- African Development Bank and the Government of Japan
The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) pays for African professionals to take a two-year master’s degree at partner universities in Japan. The African Development Bank (AfDB) runs it with the Government of Japan. It is for people working in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability or engineering who want to help their country develop. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, flights and health insurance. You do not apply to the bank. You apply to a partner university, which then puts you forward.
Status: Open through partner universities for 2027 entry. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) takes applications for September 2027 entry by 5 November 2026 or 8 January 2027. Hiroshima University’s deadline for October 2027 entry is 29 January 2027 at 17:00 Japan time. APU’s deadline for April 2027 entry, 15 September 2026, has passed. The AfDB’s own JADS pages do not show a current call (checked October 19, 2026).
What it covers
- Tuition for the 24-month programme
- A monthly living stipend for 24 months
- A flight to Japan at the start and home at the end
- Health insurance, usually through the university
- In some cases, a grant for research and thesis work
At APU, the stipend is 150,000 yen a month, including housing, and the admission fee is also paid. JADS does not pay for family members, extra courses or equipment such as computers.
Who can apply
- You are a citizen of an AfDB regional member country.
- You are 35 or younger and in good health.
- You hold a bachelor’s degree in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering or a related field.
- You have at least one year of paid work in your home country or another African country, after your bachelor’s and within the past three years.
- You are not enrolled in another graduate programme.
- You are not AfDB staff, and you are not a close relative of a staff member or Executive Director.
Key details
| Run by | African Development Bank and the Government of Japan |
|---|---|
| Level | Master’s, up to two years |
| Partner universities | University of Tokyo, Sophia University, Kyoto University, Hiroshima University, Kogakuin University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University |
| Next deadlines | APU: 5 November 2026 or 8 January 2027. Hiroshima: 29 January 2027 |
| After study | You agree to return home and work for its development |
How to apply
- Check the AfDB eligibility rules and the list of partner universities.
- Pick a programme and read that university’s JADS page for its own dates.
- Gather your CV, proof of every job since your bachelor’s, a certified copy of your highest degree, two professional references, a research proposal and an English test result such as TOEFL iBT.
- Apply to the university and ask to be considered for JADS.
- The university picks its candidates and sends the list to the AfDB, which makes the final choice and tells the winners.
Tips before you apply
- Do not leave your job when a university admits you. The AfDB says an offer does not guarantee funding.
- APU advises you to link your research proposal to the AfDB’s High 5 priorities.
- At Hiroshima, you must get a supervisor’s agreement before the entrance exam. Read the Hiroshima JADS page.
- Sophia University takes JADS students for September entry only. See the Sophia JADS page.
- Read the APU JADS page for its document list and dates.
Related guides
- Wageningen University Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded MSc in the Netherlands for African Students
- France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2027: Monthly Allowance for Master’s and PhD Study in France
- Clarendon Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Master’s and DPhil at the University of Oxford
Details are taken from the official African Development Bank website and partner university pages, checked on October 19, 2026. Confirm the current rules there before you apply.
