The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) is a capacity-building initiative by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan.
Its goal is to enhance human resource capacity in Africa in line with the AfDB’s **High 5 strategic priorities:
1. Feed Africa
2. Light up and Power Africa
3. Industrialize Africa
4. Integrate Africa
5. Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa
These priorities align with key Japanese development assistance initiatives.
The program provides high-achieving African students a two-year, fully funded scholarship to pursue master ’s-level postgraduate studies in:
* Energy
* Agriculture
* Health
* Environmental sustainability
* Engineering
Scholars are expected to return to their home countries after graduation to contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
* Be citizens of one of the African Development Bank’s regional member countries.
* Have an excellent academic record and relevant professional experience in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering, or related fields.
* Have at least 1 year of paid employment in their home country or another African country after earning a bachelor’s degree within the past 3 years.
* Be 35 years old or younger and in good health.
* Gain admission to an approved master’s program at a Japanese or African partner university (application for admission must be done directly with the university — see list of approved universities and courses).
* Not be enrolled in another graduate degree program.
* Not be an AfDB Executive Director, alternate, staff member, or a close relative of such individuals (close relative includes mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew).
Note: All eligibility criteria are strictly enforced and may change only between application cycles.
Benefits
The scholarship provides:
* Full tuition fee coverage for up to 24 months.
* Monthly living stipend for up to 24 months.
* Round-trip airfare (home country to host university and return after completion).
* Health insurance (usually through the university).
* Additional six months for preparatory study or internships after graduation.
* Special research grant for thesis preparation (where applicable).
* Coverage for computer literacy, preparatory language, or other required courses in special cases.
What the Scholarship Does Not Cover
* Expenses for family members.
* Extra-curricular courses or training.
* Language training not provided by the program.
* Costs for supplementary materials, field trips, workshops/seminars, or personal equipment like computers.
Note: The JADS program may only supplement, not duplicate, other funding sources. If awarded another scholarship, you must notify the JADS Secretariat. Your stipend may be adjusted accordingly.
Application Deadline:
* April 2026 enrollment: September 16, 2025
* September 2026 enrollment: November 12, 2025 or January 9, 2026
Visit the website to apply
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