The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) is a fully funded two-year master’s scholarship run jointly by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan. It supports high-achieving African students to study in Japan in fields linked to Africa’s development, including energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. There is no separate scholarship application to the African Development Bank: you apply to a partner university and ask to be considered for JADS.
Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) 2027 at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program |
| Sponsors | African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan |
| Host country | Japan |
| Study level | Master’s degree |
| Duration | Up to 24 months (the programme duration, or two years, whichever is shorter) |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Eligible applicants | Nationals of African Development Bank regional member countries |
| Eligible fields | Energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering, and related development fields |
| Intake | September / October 2027 (deadlines vary by university) |
| Application route | Through a partner university — no separate application directly to AfDB |
Status: Open — deadlines vary by university. Last checked: 5 November 2026. Note: the APU Round 1 deadline below is 5 November 2026, the day this guide was prepared — check the APU page urgently before applying.
What Is the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship?
JADS is a capacity-building programme. Its goal, as stated on the official AfDB programme page, is to strengthen human resources capacity in Africa in line with the Bank’s High 5 priorities: Feed Africa, Light up and Power Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. Scholars are expected to return to their home countries after graduation and contribute to national and continental development.
Who Can Apply for JADS 2027?
Nationality
A citizen of a regional member country of the African Development Bank.
Education
A bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record in a relevant field, such as energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, or engineering.
Work experience
At least 1 year of paid professional or work experience in Africa after earning the bachelor’s degree, as listed on the source guide and university pages. Confirm the exact requirement on your chosen university’s page, as the AfDB overview page itself does not state a number of years.
Age
Generally 35 years old or younger, as listed on the source guide. Confirm this on your chosen university’s page.
Enrollment and residence
Must not be currently enrolled in another graduate programme, and must not be living or working outside your home country at application, as listed on the source guide.
Return commitment
Must agree to return to your home country after graduation.
Development record
Relevant educational and professional experience and a track record of supporting your country’s development efforts, as stated on the official AfDB page.
What Does the JADS Scholarship Cover?
- Full tuition fees and admission fees for the duration of the programme (up to 24 months).
- A monthly living stipend for the duration of the programme (up to 24 months). The AfDB overview page does not state an amount. Source pages report approximately 144,000 to 150,000 JPY per month including housing, and the amount may vary by university and year — confirm the current amount on your chosen university’s page.
- Economy-class round-trip air travel between your home country and Japan at the start and end of the programme.
- Health insurance, usually obtained through the university.
- An additional six months for advance preparatory study or internships after graduation, as stated on the official AfDB page.
- 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.
What Does JADS Not Cover?
From the official AfDB page:
- Expenses to bring or support family members.
- Extra-curricular courses or training.
- Language training not provided by the graduate programme.
- Expenses for supplementary educational materials, field trips, workshops or seminars, and educational equipment such as computers.
- JADS may only supplement, and does not duplicate, another source of financial support. If you receive other support, you must inform the JADS Secretariat, and the stipend may be withdrawn in whole or in part.
Participating Universities and Deadlines
There is no single JADS deadline. Deadlines vary by university and intake. Do not publish a single deadline for the whole programme.
| University | Intake | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) | September 2027 | Round 1 deadline 5 November 2026; Round 2 deadline 8 January 2027 |
| Hiroshima University | October 2027 | Application deadline 29 January 2027 at 17:00 JST. JADS at Hiroshima University is only available for October enrollment. |
| Sophia University | September 2027 | Web entry period mid-March to early April 2027 |
Applicants should use the university’s own admissions page to confirm the current deadline and instructions for Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU).
Note from the source guide: the application window for April 2027 enrollment closed in September 2026. This guide is for the September / October 2027 intake.
Other partner universities exist, but only list a university here if its JADS deadline and link are verified on its own page. Do not copy an unverified full partner list.
How to Apply for JADS 2027
- Step 1: Choose a partner university and master’s programme that fits your field.
- Step 2: Apply directly to that university for admission. At Hiroshima University, for example, applicants enter “JADS” in the financial plan section of the application form, and must obtain permission to belong to a faculty member’s laboratory before the entrance examination — follow the equivalent instruction on your chosen university’s form.
- Step 3: Explicitly request or select consideration for JADS in the university application, usually in the admission or financial plan section.
- Step 4: Submit the required documents listed below.
- Step 5: The university screens applicants and nominates its top candidates to the AfDB JADS Secretariat.
- Step 6: AfDB makes the final selection. Do not submit a separate scholarship application directly to the African Development Bank.
Documents Required
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Research proposal
- Academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or certificate of graduation
- Work experience evidence / employer verification or support letters
- Motivational essay
Note: the exact list, format, and any faculty-laboratory permission requirement vary by university. Follow your chosen university’s document list.
Selection Timeline (Indicative)
This timeline is from the source guide, not a single official AfDB announcement, and dates may vary by university:
- February to March 2027: universities review academic profiles and research proposals and issue provisional admission offers.
- Mid-March 2027: partner universities submit top-ranked nominated candidates to the AfDB JADS Secretariat.
- April to May 2027: the AfDB panel conducts its final review.
- Late June 2027: official award winners are announced and notified directly.
Frequently Asked Questions About JADS 2027
Is the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers tuition and admission fees, a monthly living stipend, economy-class round-trip airfare, and health insurance for up to 24 months, subject to the exclusions listed above.
Do I apply directly to the African Development Bank?
No. Apply to a partner university and ask to be considered for JADS. Only candidates admitted to a partner university and endorsed by that university are considered.
Is there one deadline for JADS?
No. Deadlines vary by university. APU, Hiroshima University, and Sophia University have different deadlines and intakes, listed in the table above.
What fields can I study?
Master’s programmes in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering, and related development fields. Some individual programmes may be excluded at a university’s discretion, so check the eligible-course list for your chosen university.
Do I have to return home after graduation?
Yes. Scholars are expected to return to their home countries and contribute to national and continental development.
Does admission to a partner university guarantee JADS funding?
No. Admission does not automatically guarantee scholarship funding. The university nominates candidates and AfDB makes the final selection.
Official Links
- Official AfDB JADS programme page
- Hiroshima University JADS page
- Sophia University JADS programme page
Applicants should use the university’s own admissions page for Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), as the APU JADS-specific page could not be verified.
Also Check
If you are comparing other fully funded options, browse the fully funded scholarships hub and the scholarships page for international students. For another fully funded master’s route, see the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2027–2028 guide, and for a fully funded opportunity in Qatar, see the Doha Institute Graduate Studies Scholarships 2027 guide.
Explore more opportunities in the fully funded scholarships hub.
Final Thoughts
JADS is a strong option for African master’s applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree, relevant work experience in Africa, and a clear development field, and who are ready to apply through a partner university rather than directly to a scholarship body. Because deadlines differ by university — and APU’s first round falls on the day this guide was prepared — check your chosen university’s page first, confirm its deadline and document list, and apply through that university’s system.
