AIT Asian Development Bank - Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)

The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) scholarships are awarded at designated institutions in the Asia and Pacific region for studies in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields. The program is aligned with ADB’s Strategy themes, which include poverty reduction through infrastructure, environment, regional cooperation and integration, finance sector development, and education.

The scholarship is aimed at nationals of an ADB borrowing member country who have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a superior academic record, at least two years of full-time professional working experience after a university degree, and oral and written English communication proficiency to pursue studies. It applies to studies at designated institutions, including AIT, and covers specified graduate fields (economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields).

Selection is based on AIT screening and ranking using AIT’s selection criteria, with priority given to the ranking or order of merit proposed by AIT. Applicants with less than two years of work experience will not be selected. Preference is given to women candidates and to applicants with lesser financial capacity, with stated income thresholds. In principle, prior study abroad and pursuing a second MA may not be supported.

Scholarships are for a period of one to two years, with an initial period of one year and an extension for a second year conditional on maintaining satisfactory performance as determined by AIT. Support includes a range of costs described under coverage, and scholars must sign acceptance agreeing to return to their home country after completing studies. The program is stated as scholarship-only (no dependents covered) and is described as a supplement to other financial support, with possible withdrawal if evidence of additional support is found.

• Must be a national of an ADB borrowing member country; applicants from countries no longer borrowing from ADB are not eligible.
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with a superior academic record.
• Must have at least two (2) years of full-time professional working experience acquired after a university degree at the time of application.
• Must have proficiency in oral and written English communication skills to be able to pursue studies.
• Must be not more than 35 years old at the time of application; in exceptional cases for programs appropriate for senior officials and managers, the age limit is 45 years old.
• Must be in good health.
• Must agree to return to home country after completion of studies under the program.
• Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, management and staff of ADB, consultants, and relatives of the aforementioned are not eligible.
• Staff of AIT are not eligible.
• Applicants living or working in a country other than their home country are not eligible.
• ADB-JSP does not support applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs.
• ADB-JSP does not sponsor undergraduate studies, distance learning programs, short-term training, conferences, seminars, thesis writing, and research projects.

• Tuition fees (actual costs).
• Housing: based on actual cost of dormitory housing or a reasonable allowance for appropriate off-campus housing to be agreed between each designated institution and ADB.
• Subsistence allowance including housing allowance: a flat allowance to be agreed between each designated institution and ADB.
• Student medical and accident insurance: flat allowance.
• Books: flat allowance to be agreed between each designated institution and ADB.
• Economy class air travel at most direct route to and from the designated institution and the awardee’s home country: actual costs.
• Miscellaneous travel expenses such as visa fees, airport taxes, luggage allowance, etc.: flat allowance.
• Excess luggage up to 20 kgs during return travel to the home country: actual costs.
• Thesis/research allowance intended to cover research expenditures; can cover items such as photocopying, school supplies, typing and computer charges, postage, communications, binding charges, local travel costs and accommodation for out-of-town trips: flat allowance.
• In special cases, expenditures for training to improve language proficiency and computer literacy may be covered: actual costs.
• Accommodation establishment allowance: may be provided to new scholars to help with initial costs of setting up a temporary home at the designated institution; paid only once at the start of the scholarship: flat allowance.

1. Request information and application forms from the chosen designated institution (for example, AIT).
2. Review resources such as the designated institution’s website and handbooks, and attend designated institution information sessions held in-country to decide on the designated institution and course.
3. Indicate to AIT that you are applying for admission and that you would like to be considered for the ADB-JSP scholarship.
4. Submit the completed designated institution application form and required documentation, including the ADB-JSP information sheet form, to AIT. Ensure documentation is accurate and complete because false information can lead to an application not being processed or an award being terminated.
5. Submit the latest income tax return or a certification of annual or monthly salary (whichever is available), and provide a certification of family income (parents’ income or spouse’s income if married).
6. Use the AIT online admission portal to apply; no separate application is required.
7. Submit a statement of purpose describing your application for this scholarship, uploaded as a separate file if needed.
8. After submission, AIT screens and ranks applicants using its selection criteria while keeping in mind ADB eligibility and selection criteria; AIT may contact candidates for further information, then submits a ranked list to ADB with a description of the scoring/grading system.
9. A distributed review happens: ADB reviews and recommends awardees to the Executive Director of Japan for formal approval; after approval ADB advises AIT of successful candidates.
10. AIT informs all applicants of the outcome, arranges for awardees to take up the scholarship, and arranges for awardees to sign acceptance agreeing to return to the home country after completion.

• Copy of degree certificate and transcript of a 4-year undergraduate degree program with a cGPA of 3.5 and above.
• English proficiency score as required by AIT Language Center: IELTS-Academic 6 (writing and overall) or AIT EET at least 6.0, or TOEFL at least 550.
• Work certificate provided by the employer.
• Income statement certified by the local municipality: if married, spouse’s income statement; otherwise, parent’s income statement.
• ADB-JSP information sheet.
• Latest income tax return or a certification of annual or monthly salary (whichever is available).
• Certification of family income (parents’ income or spouse’s income if married).