ADB-Japan Scholarships Ritsumeikan APU 2027 (Fully Funded)
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) offers an excellent opportunity for students from eligible developing countries to pursue a Master’s degree in Japan with comprehensive financial support.
For the 2027 intake, successful scholars can receive full tuition fee coverage, a monthly allowance of JPY 144,000, admission fee coverage, books and study materials, medical insurance, and return economy-class airfare.
The scholarship is designed for professionals from eligible ADB developing member countries who want to gain advanced knowledge and skills and return to their home countries to contribute to economic and social development.
One important point is that applicants do not apply directly to the Asian Development Bank. They must first apply for admission to APU and request consideration for the ADB-JSP scholarship through the university's application system. APU then nominates selected candidates to ADB for the final scholarship decision.
ADB-Japan Scholarship 2027 – Quick Summary
Host Country: Japan
Host University: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
Scholarship Program: Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
Degree Level: Master's Degree
Study Intake: September 2027
Eligible Nationalities: Citizens of eligible ADB borrowing member countries
Tuition Fee: Fully covered
Admission Fee: Fully covered
Monthly Allowance: JPY 144,000, including housing support
Airfare: Return economy-class airfare
Books and Study Materials: Covered
Medical Insurance: Covered
Scholarship Duration: Normally up to 2 years for a Master's degree
Work Experience: At least 2 years of full-time professional experience after obtaining a bachelor's degree
Age: Normally 35 years or younger
First Application Deadline: November 5, 2026
Second Application Deadline: January 8, 2027
Application Method: Apply through APU
Direct ADB Application: No
Degree Level
The ADB-Japan Scholarship at Ritsumeikan APU is available for Master's degree study.
The scholarship is intended for professionals who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to develop advanced knowledge and professional skills through graduate study in Japan.
Available Subjects
Applicants must apply for an eligible Master's program at APU. The university offers graduate-level study in areas related to Asia Pacific studies, international development, and related fields.
Applicants should check the available programs and confirm that their intended Master's program is eligible for ADB-JSP consideration.
Benefits
The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to successful candidates.
Benefits include:
Full tuition fees
Full admission fee
JPY 144,000 monthly allowance, including housing support
Books and instructional materials
Medical insurance
Economy-class airfare from the scholar's home country to Japan
Return economy-class airfare after completion of the degree
Financial support for the approved scholarship period
Opportunity to study for a Master's degree at Ritsumeikan APU in Japan
The scholarship normally covers one year initially. Support for the second year may be continued if the student maintains satisfactory academic performance and meets the scholarship conditions.
Eligible Nationalities
The scholarship is open to citizens of eligible developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank that qualify under the relevant Japanese ODA scholarship requirements.
Eligible countries include countries such as:
Pakistan
Bangladesh
India
Indonesia
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Philippines
Vietnam
Mongolia
Uzbekistan
Other eligible ADB borrowing member countries
The eligible-country list and scholarship conditions can change, so applicants should confirm their nationality against the current official ADB-JSP requirements before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the ADB-JSP and APU requirements.
Generally, applicants must:
Be a citizen of an eligible ADB borrowing member country.
Normally be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
Have a strong academic record.
Have at least 2 years of full-time professional work experience acquired after completing a bachelor's degree.
Be working and residing in their home country when applying, where required under the scholarship rules.
Meet APU's admission requirements for the selected Master's program.
Have sufficient English proficiency for graduate-level study.
Meet the income requirements specified for the scholarship.
Not already be enrolled in a graduate degree program.
Not be applying for a second Master's degree.
Meet the scholarship's requirements concerning previous degrees and study history.
Agree to return to their home country after completing the degree and work there for at least two years.
Be able to provide the required employment, academic, income, and other supporting documents.
Applicants should carefully review the latest APU and ADB requirements because individual circumstances can affect eligibility.
Work Experience Requirement
The two-year work experience requirement is one of the most important conditions.
Applicants must generally have at least two years of full-time professional experience obtained after receiving their bachelor's degree.
For example, work experience gained before completing a bachelor's degree should not automatically be counted toward the required two years.
Applicants may need to provide employment certificates showing:
Employment dates
Job position
Employer details
Salary or income information
Other information requested by APU
If an applicant has worked for multiple employers, certificates from different employers may be required to demonstrate the total qualifying experience.
Income Requirements
Financial circumstances are also considered under the scholarship requirements.
According to the provided information, applicants should have:
Annual family income of no more than USD 50,000
Personal annual income of no more than USD 25,000
Selected applicants may be required to submit official documents verifying their income and financial circumstances.
Therefore, meeting the academic requirements alone does not guarantee scholarship consideration.
Previous Master's Degree
Applicants should pay close attention to the rules concerning previous graduate study.
The ADB-JSP is generally not intended for applicants who already have a Master's degree and want to obtain another Master's degree.
Applicants who are already enrolled in a graduate program may also be ineligible.
Students should carefully review their previous degrees and current enrollment status before requesting ADB-JSP consideration.
Return-to-Home-Country Requirement
The ADB-JSP is designed to support the development of eligible countries.
As part of the scholarship conditions, scholars are expected to return to their home country after completing their degree and work there for at least two years.
This requirement is important for applicants who intend to remain in Japan permanently after graduation.
Application Procedure
The application process is different from scholarships where students apply directly to the funding organization.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before beginning the application, confirm that your nationality, age, academic background, work experience, income, and previous study history meet the ADB-JSP requirements.
Step 2: Choose an Eligible APU Master's Program
Review the graduate programs available at Ritsumeikan APU and select a program that matches your academic background and career goals.
Make sure the program is eligible for ADB-JSP consideration.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Prepare the required documents for the APU graduate admission application.
These may include:
Academic transcripts
Bachelor's degree certificate
Passport or identification
English language documents
Curriculum vitae
Statement of purpose or other application essays
Employment certificates
Income documents
Other documents required by APU
Step 4: Start the APU Online Application
The application system for the September 2027 intake opens on September 1, 2026.
Applicants should create their application and provide accurate academic and professional information.
Step 5: Request ADB-JSP Consideration
During the APU application process, applicants who meet the requirements can request consideration for the ADB-Japan Scholarship.
There is no need to submit a separate direct application to ADB at this stage.
Step 6: Upload Proof of Work Experience
Provide employment certificates that clearly demonstrate at least two years of qualifying full-time professional experience after the bachelor's degree.
Make sure the certificates contain accurate employment information and are issued by the relevant employer.
Step 7: Submit the APU Application
Complete the application and submit all required documents before the applicable deadline.
For September 2027 entry, the current ADB-JSP application rounds have the following deadlines:
First deadline: November 5, 2026
Second deadline: January 8, 2027
Step 8: Wait for APU's Selection and Nomination
APU reviews applicants and identifies suitable candidates for ADB-JSP nomination.
Being considered by APU does not automatically mean that the applicant has won the scholarship.
Step 9: ADB Makes the Final Scholarship Decision
Candidates nominated by APU are considered by the Asian Development Bank for the final scholarship award.
Successful applicants receive further instructions regarding the scholarship and enrollment process.
Important: You Do Not Apply Directly to ADB
One of the most common misunderstandings about the ADB-Japan Scholarship is the application route.
Applicants interested in the scholarship at APU should first apply to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
The process is essentially:
APU application → ADB-JSP consideration → APU nomination → ADB final selection.
Therefore, students should focus on preparing a strong university application rather than looking for a separate direct ADB scholarship application.
Application Deadlines
For September 2027 enrollment, applicants have two ADB-JSP application opportunities through APU:
November 5, 2026
January 8, 2027
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during the earliest suitable round rather than waiting for the second deadline.
Why Apply for the ADB-Japan Scholarship at APU?
The ADB-JSP at Ritsumeikan APU is attractive because it combines university admission with extensive financial support.
A successful scholar can receive:
Full tuition coverage
Admission fee coverage
JPY 144,000 monthly support
Books and learning materials
Medical insurance
International airfare
For professionals from eligible developing countries, this can significantly reduce the financial burden of completing a Master's degree in Japan.
However, applicants should remember that the scholarship is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee nomination or the final award.
Final Thoughts
The ADB-Japan Scholarship 2027 at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University provides a comprehensive funding opportunity for eligible professionals seeking a Master's degree in Japan.
The combination of full tuition, admission fee coverage, a JPY 144,000 monthly allowance, airfare, books, and medical insurance makes it a strong option for applicants who meet the program's strict requirements.
The most important requirements to check before applying are your nationality, age, bachelor's degree, two years of post-graduation work experience, income level, previous study history, and eligibility of your intended APU Master's program.
Remember that the application begins with APU rather than ADB. Applicants must submit their university application and request ADB-JSP consideration through the APU application process.
