The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship Program (JADS) is now open to applicants from regional member countries of the African Development Bank, with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts. Candidates should apply to a graduate degree program in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering, and a related discipline.
The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
Scholarship Description
The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship Program (JADS) is a capacity-building project initiated in 2017 by the African Development Bank and Japan to award two-year scholarships to high-achieving African students to pursue post-graduate studies at the master’s level in priority development areas on the continent and in Japan.
The goal of the African Development Bank and the Government of Japan is to enhance skills and human resources 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 core areas of study of the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.
Award Benefits
The JADS Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- Economy class air travel between a recipient’s home country and the host university at the start of the study program and immediately following the end of the scholarship period.
- Tuition for a graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance, usually obtained through the university.
- A monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses, including books.
- 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. Please note that all JADS scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years at most.
Level and Area of Studies
Master’s in the areas of energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering, and a related discipline.
List of Approved Japanese Partner Universities
Do note that each approved partner institution has its list of approved programs under this scheme, the contact addresses, and their respective deadline for each program:
The University of Tokyo
Sophia University
Kyoto University
Hiroshima University
Kogakuin University
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to those who have gained admission to a master’s degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates must:
- have an excellent academic record and should be 35 years old or younger; in good health;
- have a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering, or a related area.
- Not be applicants living or working in a country other than their home country.
- Not be applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs.
- 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.
*Please note: All eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to unless otherwise communicated. Eligibility criteria will not change during an open call for applications. However, this information is subject to change between the close of one application process and the opening of the next.
Selection Process
The JADS program uses the following factors to review eligible scholarship applications, with the aim of identifying the candidates with the highest potential, after completion of their graduate studies, to impact the development of their countries.
- Strength of Education Background
- Strength of Professional Recommendations
- Strength of Professional Experience
- Strength of Commitment to your Home Country
- Strength of Statement of Purpose
JADS awards scholarships to applicants who have had at least 1 year of paid employment in the applicant’s home country or in other African countries after receiving the first Bachelor’s (or equivalent university) degree within the past 3 years.
Application Procedures
- Request information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university.
- Submit the completed documents to the university.
- The university evaluates and selects applicants.
- The university sends selected candidates to the African Development Bank.
- African Development Bank reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
- African Development Bank contacts selected awardees and informs the universities.
