African Development Bank-Japan Africa Dream Scholarship

African Development Bank-Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (AfDB-JADS)

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must first apply to APU. APU will then select eligible candidates to recommend to the scholarship organization.

About the Scholarship

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.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Be a national of an AfDB member country
2. Be 35 years old or less
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Not be living or working outside of your home country
6. Not already be enrolled in a graduate degree program
7. 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
8. Agree to return to your home country to contribute to its economic and social development after completion of studies under the program

Award

Full tuition
Monthly subsistence allowance of 150,000 JPY (including housing) (amount subject to change)
Economy class air travel between the home country and APU at the beginning and end of the program

Application and Selection Process

1. AfDB-JADS accepts applications for both April and September 2026 enrollment. For April 2026 enrollment please submit your application by September 16, 2025. For Sepember 2026 enrollment, please submit your application by November 12, 2025 or January 9, 2026.
2.APU reviews application documents and selects suitable candidates to recommend to the AfDB-JADS, in middle of November for April 2026 enrollment and in middle of March for September 2026 enrollment.
3.Applicants selected as candidates for this scholarship are notified of their final APU application results.
4.The final scholarship award results are decided by AfDB-JADS by the end of June. Please be aware that the timing of the final scholarship result notification is subject to change depending on the circumstances of the ADB-JSP

Required Documents:
Research Proposal Please refer to the “Research Proposal” section in the APPLICATION PROCESS of the 2026 Graduate Application Handbook and prepare your Research Proposal accordingly. It is strongly recommended that you develop your proposal in alignment with the indicators of “The High 5s” set by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Curriculum Vitae Please refer to the "Curriculum Vitae" section in the APPLICATION PROCESS of the 2026 Graduate Application Handbook and prepare your Curriculum Vitae accordingly.

There may be changes to the scholarship conditions. Please ensure to check the details on the scholarship organization's website.

Website

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program - Overview
AfDB-JADS Eligibility Criteria
AfDB-JADS The High5s