The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) supports selected students who gain admission to the MSc in Sustainability at the United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Tokyo, Japan. ADB-JSP fully funds your postgraduate study costs, including tuition, living expenses, insurance, and travel, so you can focus entirely on your academic and professional development.

About the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship

ADB-JSP provides full funding for your two-year Master’s degree at UNU-IAS if you meet eligibility conditions and secure admission. UNU-IAS considers you for this award automatically as part of your MSc application — you do not complete a separate scholarship form. The program supports students from ADB’s borrowing member countries by covering major study costs and encouraging you to return home after graduation to contribute to national development.

Why Choose The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship?

You should consider the ADB-JSP because it:

  • Pays your full tuition fees for the MSc in Sustainability.
  • Provides a monthly subsistence and housing allowance to help cover living costs.
  • Covers health and accident insurance, book and instrument allowances — reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Covers economy-class airfare between your home country and Tokyo.
  • Prepares you to contribute to sustainable development in your home country after graduation.

Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Summary

  • Host Country: Japan
  • Host Institution: United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
  • Scholarship Name: Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
  • Study Level: Master’s (MSc in Sustainability)
  • Coverage: Full tuition; monthly subsistence allowance (including housing); insurance; book and instrument allowances; economy-class airfare
  • Application Deadline: February 01, 2026
  • Program Start: September 2026 (typical UNU-IAS academic year)
  • Eligible Applicants: Nationals of ADB borrowing member countries and Japan ODA scholarship-eligible countries accepted into the MSc program

Scholarship Benefits

  • Full tuition fee coverage for the duration of your MSc program.
  • Monthly subsistence allowance (e.g., ~JPY 147,000) including housing support — amount may vary by year.
  • Medical and accident insurance coverage to protect your health while studying.
  • Book and instrument allowance for study materials.
  • Economy-class airfare for travel between your home country and Tokyo.

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet all of the following:

  • Be a national of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) borrowing member country that also qualifies under the Japan ODA scholarship eligibility criteria.
  • Not hold dual citizenship with any developed country (as defined in ADB-JSP rules).
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) with a strong academic record.
  • Have at least two years of full-time professional work experience earned after completing your bachelor’s degree.
  • Be under 35 years of age at the time of application (age limit may be waived in exceptional cases with endorsement).
  • Be in good health.
  • Agree to return to your home country and work there for at least two years after completing your studies.
  • Not live or work outside your home country at the time of application.
  • Not hold another postgraduate degree or be enrolled in another graduate program.

Required Documents

UNU-IAS will instruct you when to provide these documents after your MSc admission:

  • ADB-JSP Information Sheet (completed).
  • Certificate of annual income (showing personal yearly earnings).
  • Certificate of family income (parents’ income if single; spouse’s income if married).
  • Employment certificate proving at least two years of full-time work experience.
  • All certificates must be in English and issued by authorized agencies with signatures or stamps.
  • UNU-IAS will also review your main MSc in Sustainability application documents during assessment.

Application Process & Timeline

  1. Choose the MSc in Sustainability at UNU-IAS and confirm program requirements.
  2. Prepare and submit your MSc admission application (including academic and personal documents) before the UNU-IAS deadline.
  3. Indicate your interest and eligibility for the ADB-JSP within the main admission form.
  4. The UNU-IAS Admissions Office will review your application for both admission and scholarship eligibility.
  5. Submit additional required documents for ADB-JSP when instructed by UNU-IAS.
  6. Receive admission and scholarship decisions (typically in spring 2026).
  7. Accept your offers and prepare for study in Tokyo (visa, housing, travel).