Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) 2027 (Fully Funded Master’s)

Overview

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship Program is a fully funded two-year Master's scholarship jointly run by the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan. The program provides a pathway into higher education in Japan for eligible African students, with participating universities including Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Hiroshima University, and Sophia University.

Who can apply

Applicants must be citizens of a regional member country of the African Development Bank and generally 35 years old or younger. Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree with strong academic records in fields such as energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, or engineering. Additionally, applicants must have at least one year of paid professional or work experience in Africa obtained after earning the Bachelor's degree, must not be currently enrolled in another graduate program or living and working outside their home country, and must agree to return to their home country after graduation to support national and continental development.

What you get

The scholarship covers full tuition fees and admission fees, and provides a monthly living and subsistence allowance ranging from approximately 144,000 to 150,000 Japanese Yen per month, which includes housing. Awardees also receive economy-class round-trip airfare between their home country and Japan, health insurance coverage, and opportunities for internships or specialized research grants depending on the host institution.

How to apply

Applicants must apply directly to an eligible Japanese partner university for their target master's program and explicitly request or select consideration for the JADS scholarship within the university's online admission or financial plan section. Required documents include a detailed curriculum vitae, a research proposal, academic transcripts, degree certificates, employer verification or support letters, and a motivational essay. Following university screening and nomination, the African Development Bank panel conducts a final review and selection.

Key dates

Application deadlines vary by university and intake term. For Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University for the September 2027 intake, the Round 1 deadline is November 5, 2026, and the Round 2 deadline is January 8, 2027. For Hiroshima University for the October 2027 intake, the application deadline is January 29, 2027. For Sophia University for the September 2027 intake, the web entry period is mid-March to early April 2027. Universities review profiles between February and March 2027, top candidates are submitted to the secretariat in mid-March 2027, final reviews occur from April to May 2027, and official scholarship award winners are announced and notified in late June 2027.