The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) is a prestigious capacity-building initiative by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan. Its goal is to empower Africa’s next generation of leaders with advanced training in key development sectors, in line with AfDB’s High 5 priorities:
- Feed Africa
- Light up and power Africa
- Industrialize Africa
- Integrate Africa
- Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa
Through a two-year fully funded master’s program, JADS supports high-achieving African students in fields such as energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition for up to 24 months
- Monthly living stipend
- Return airfare from home country to host university
- Health insurance
- Up to 6 months of preparatory study or internships post-graduation
- Research and thesis preparation grant (if applicable)
- Possible coverage for language, computer literacy, or similar preparatory courses
❌ Not Covered: Family expenses, visa fees, extra-curricular training, unapproved travel, or personal equipment (e.g., laptops).
Eligibility Criteria for the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of an AfDB regional member country
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering, or related)
- Be 35 years old or younger and in good health
- Have 1+ year of paid work experience in Africa after completing their bachelor’s degree
- Gain admission into an approved master’s program at a JADS partner university
- Not be enrolled in another graduate program or be an AfDB staff/close relative
Apply for the 2026 World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program
Partner Universities (Japan)
| University | Approved Program of Study | Month of Intake / Deadline of Application |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa Chiba 277-8563 Contact: |
【Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, Division of Environmental Studies】
Master of International Studies Master of Environmental Studies Master of Sustainability Science |
Month of Intake: April or October
Examination: Schedule A (application period: mid June) Schedule B (application period: mid November) |
| Sophia University
Contact Office of Global Education and Collaboration |
Green Science and Engineering
https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/graduate_p/english_g2/gpst.html(link is external) Global Environmental Studies https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/graduate_p/english_g2/ges.html |
Month of Intake:
September Deadline of Application: Web entry：Mid of March ~ Early April Application：Mid of April |
| Kyoto University
Department/Address Yoshida-honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501 JAPAN Contact International Education and Student Mobility Division |
International Energy Science Course (IESC)
http://www.energy.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/ International Graduate Programme for East Asia Sustainable Economic Development Studies (EA Programme) http://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kueac/ Special Course in Agricultural Science – For the Global Future of Life, Food and the Environment http://www.kais.kyoto-u.ac.jp/english/global30/ Global Frontier in Life Science http://www.lif.kyoto-u.ac.jp/e/ International Environmental Management Program |
Please refer to the program website. |
| Hiroshima University
Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering 1-4-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8527 Support Office for the fields of International Development and Cooperation 1-5-1, Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8529 Contact Global Initiatives Group, Department of International Affairs, International Office |
Master Program in the fields of Energy Engineering
Master Program in the fields of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering |
-Month of Intake: April
-Preliminary Survey: Oct 18-29 -Application period: Nov 8-19 -Exam. Period: Nov 29-Dec 8 *Applicants need to enquire more detail at the Support Office -Month of Intake: April and October -Preliminary Evaluation for Apr. Oct 4-8, -Preliminary Evaluation for Oct.: Mar. 7-11, -Application Period for Apr.: Nov 4-15, -Application Period for Oct.: Apr. 4-22, *Applicants need to enquire more detail at the Support Office |
| Kogakuin University
Graduate School of Engineering Contact Division of international affaires |
Electrical Engineering and Electronics Program
Brochure of Graduate School of Engineering https://www.kogakuin.ac.jp/english/fbb28u00000001il-att/graduateschool2021.pdf |
|
| Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Contact |
Master of Science (International Cooperation Policy) – Sustainability Science (SS)
Master of Science (International Cooperation Policy) – Development Economics (DE) Master of Science (International Cooperation Policy) – International Public Administration (IPA) Master of Business Administration |
Application Deadlines are as following:
April Enrollment: October September Enrollment: April |
(Additional African partner universities to be announced.)
Application Process
- Contact your chosen JADS partner university for application details.
- Apply directly to the university for admission.
- If provisionally selected, the university will forward your application to the AfDB and JADS Secretariat for evaluation.
- Successful applicants will receive official scholarship confirmation from AfDB.
📌 Important: Do not resign from your job or relocate until you receive official scholarship confirmation.
Selection Factors
- Academic excellence & professional experience
- Commitment to contributing to your home country’s development
- Quality of research plan & statement of purpose
- Gender balance and geographic diversity considerations
- Financial need and special circumstances
Deadline: Varies by university – check each partner institution’s intake and application schedule.
For Inquiries: JADS@AFDB.ORG
Apply for the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program
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