2026 African Development Bank-Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (AfDB-JADS) at Asia Pacific University (APU)

Location: Japan

Program: Postgraduate – Masters, PhD

Eligibility: International Students

Duration: 2 years

Deadline: November 12, 2025 or January 9, 2026

This scholarship is open to applicants from African Development Bank member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related disciplines. The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) is a two-year, fully funded postgraduate scholarship jointly offered by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan. Its aim is to build human capacity across Africa in line with AfDB’s “High 5” strategic priorities: Feed Africa, Light up and power Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. These priorities align closely with Japan’s development assistance missions.

Asia Pacific University (APU) is a private institution established in 2000 and located in Beppu, Ōita Prefecture. It stands out for its multicultural environment, about half of its students and many faculty members are from overseas—spanning approximately 90 countries. APU offers various graduate programs, including Development Studies, Data Science, Sustainability, Management, and more, all conducted in English. The multicultural ethos and bilingual education system (English and Japanese), combined with a broad international community, make it an attractive choice for global-minded graduate students.

Benefits of the Scholarship

This Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:

Economy class air travel between a recipient’s home country and the host university at the start of the study program and immediately following the end of the scholarship period.
Full Tuition for a graduate program
Cost of basic medical insurance, usually obtained through the university.
A monthly subsistence allowance of 150,000 JPY to cover living expenses, including housing, books etc.
For scholars engaged in research, a special grant may be available for research and thesis preparation. In special circumstances, computer literacy, preparatory language and other similar courses may be covered under the scholarship. Please note that all JADS scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years at most.

The JADS Scholarship does not cover:

VISA application(s) costs
Expenses to bring and/or support a scholar’s family members;
Extra-curricular courses or training;
Language training not provided by the graduate program;
Additional travel during the course of the study program;
Expenses related to supplementary educational materials, field trips, participation in workshops/seminars, or internships; or
Educational equipment such as computers.

Eligibility Criteria

Be a national of an AfDB member country
Be 35 years old or less
Should have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering studies or related areas; and have excellent academic records and relevant professional experience, and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts.
Should have at least 1 year of paid employment in their home country or in other African countries after receiving their Bachelors (or equivalent university) degree within the past 3 years.
Not be living or working outside of your home country
Not already be enrolled in a graduate degree program
Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of all types of appointments of the African Development Bank Group or a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew
Agree to return to your home country to contribute to its economic and social development after completion of studies under the program

Selection Criteria

All eligible applications will be comparatively evaluated by the PIU hired by the African Development Bank and the final selection is approved by the JADS Secretariat. The evaluation focuses on educational and professional excellence, commitment to home country development priorities, the quality of the statement of purpose, financial status and geographic diversity of awardees.