Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2025-2026 (Fully-funded)

Deadline: Unspecified

Applications are open for the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2025-2026. The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) is a capacity building program by the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan. The overarching goal of the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan is to enhance human resources capacity in Africa, in keeping with the Bank’s High 5 strategic priorities, namely Feed Africa, Light up and power Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa. These priorities are also in line with key Japanese development assistance initiatives.

The program offers high-achieving African students a two-year scholarship opportunity to pursue post-graduate studies at master’s level in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The scholarship is open to applicants from regional member countries of the African Development Bank, with relevant educational and professional experience and a track record of supporting their countries’ development efforts. Upon completion of their studies, the scholars are expected to return to their home countries and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development, using the newly acquired knowledge and skills.

Scholarship

• Tuition fee coverage for the duration of the study program (24 months).
• Monthly living stipend for the duration of the study program (24 months).
• Air travel from the home country to the host university at the start of the study program and back home at the end of the scholarship period.
• Health insurance, usually obtained through the university.
• Additional six (6) months for advance preparatory study or internships after graduation.
• 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.

​Note: The scholarship only covers the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.

Eligibility

• 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.
• Applicants 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.
• Candidates should be 35 years old or younger, and in good health.
• Candidates should gain admission to an approved master’s degree course at a Japanese or African partner university – application for admission to be done directly through the partner universities (Refer to list of universities and approved courses).
• Candidates should not be enrolled in another graduate degree programs – the program does not support applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs.
• Must  be a citizen of one of the African Development Bank’s regional member countries.
• Applicants must 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.

Application

• Request information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university using the provided contacts.
• The candidate completes and submits application for admission.
• The university evaluates and selects applicants and gives them a provisional offer letter.
• University sends list of selected candidates to the African Development Bank and the Bank further shares the list with the JADS Program Implementation Unit (PIU) to evaluate the applications based on a set criteria.
• After the evaluation, the African Development Bank contacts the successful candidates and informs the universities.

For more information, visit Japan Africa Dream Scholarship.