Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program (formerly AfDB Japan Scholarship Program)

Tuition for up to 24 months, a monthly living stipend for the same period, air travel from home to the host university and back, health insurance (usually through the university), and up to six extra months for preparatory study or internships after graduation. The stipend amount is not published on the official page.

Fields: energy, Agriculture and food, Health and medicine, environmental sustainability, Engineering

Citizens of African countries

• Citizen of an African Development Bank regional member country
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering or a related area, with an excellent academic record
• At least 1 year of paid employment in your home country or another African country after your bachelor's degree, within the past 3 years
• Aged 35 or younger and in good health
• Admitted to an approved master's course at a JADS partner university, and not already enrolled in another graduate degree
• Not AfDB Group staff, an Executive Director or alternate, or a close relative of one

There is no separate AfDB deadline; you apply through the partner university. On the official list, University of Tokyo admissions run in mid June and mid November, Sophia University in March to mid April, Ritsumeikan APU in October (April intake) and April (September intake), and Hiroshima University mainly in November and April. Confirm current dates with each university.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

• Current curriculum vitae
• Proof of employment for each job held since your bachelor's degree
• Certified copy of the certificate for your most advanced university degree
• Two professional references
• Research plan and proposal
• English test result such as TOEFL iBT, as required by the university

1. 1

   Step 1: Check eligibility

   Read the JADS eligibility criteria on afdb.org carefully, especially the work experience and age rules.
2. 2

   Step 2: Pick an approved course

   Choose a programme from the official list of universities, which currently covers University of Tokyo, Sophia, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kogakuin and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
3. 3

   Step 3: Apply to the university

   Request application forms from the chosen partner university using the contacts on the AfDB list and apply for admission there.
4. 4

   Step 4: University nomination

   The university selects applicants, gives a provisional offer, and sends its list to the AfDB, whose implementation unit evaluates the candidates.
5. 5

   Step 5: Wait for the AfDB decision

   The AfDB contacts successful candidates; do not resign from your job until the Bank confirms your award.

• Scholars are expected to return to their home countries after their studies and contribute to development
• The scholarship only supplements other support; you must declare other funding and the stipend may be reduced or withdrawn
• It does not cover family members, extra-curricular courses, outside language training, field trips, workshops or equipment such as computers
• Funding is limited to the length of the programme or two years, whichever is less

• The programme was renamed; older guides call it the AfDB-JSP, but current information is under the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship on afdb.org
• The AfDB says African partner universities (University of Zambia and E-JUST were in discussion) are not yet confirmed, so plan for study in Japan
• Your statement of purpose and commitment to your country's development priorities carry real weight in the evaluation
• Japanese university windows differ widely, so start contacting universities 9 to 12 months before your intended intake
• Questions go to JADS@AFDB.ORG; never pay agents for this scholarship

Winning the award does not include the visa. Plan your application with our guide for the host country.

• Japan student visa

Checked against these official pages on 16 Oct 2026.

• AfDB: Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program (opens in a new tab)
• AfDB: JADS eligibility criteria (opens in a new tab)
• AfDB: JADS application procedures (opens in a new tab)
• AfDB: JADS list of universities (opens in a new tab)