African students and young professionals interested in pursuing graduate studies in Japan can apply for the African Development Bank-Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (AfDB-JADS) at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). The scholarship supports eligible applicants from African Development Bank member countries who have relevant academic qualifications, professional experience and a demonstrated commitment to contributing to the development of their countries. At APU, the opportunity is available to applicants applying for graduate degree programmes in energy development and related disciplines. The scholarship provides substantial financial support, including full tuition, an admission fee, a monthly subsistence allowance and economy-class international airfare between the student’s home country and Japan. For the September 2027 intake, applicants can request consideration for the AfDB-JADS scholarship through the APU online application by either 5 November 2026 or 8 January 2027. What Is the AfDB-JADS Scholarship? The African Development Bank-Japan Africa Dream Scholarship is a partnership-based scholarship programme designed to develop highly skilled African professionals who can contribute to the continent’s economic and social development. At Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, eligible applicants are considered for the scholarship after applying for admission. APU reviews applications and recommends suitable candidates to the scholarship organisation. The programme focuses on graduate-level study related to energy development and other relevant fields, with eligible academic backgrounds including energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering and related disciplines. The scholarship is particularly relevant to young African professionals seeking international postgraduate education while maintaining a clear focus on development in their home countries. AfDB-JADS Scholarship Benefits Successful scholarship recipients can receive several forms of financial support throughout the eligible period of study. The award includes: Admission fee. Full tuition fee. Monthly subsistence allowance of JPY 150,000, including housing, although the amount may be subject to change. Economy-class air travel between the applicant’s home country and APU at the beginning and end of the programme. These benefits can substantially reduce the costs associated with studying in Japan and allow successful candidates to focus on their graduate education and research. Applicants should note that scholarship conditions can change and should verify the latest information with the AfDB-JADS programme before applying. Who Can Apply? The scholarship has specific eligibility requirements that applicants must satisfy. Candidates should: Be a national of an African Development Bank member country. Be 35 years old or younger. Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering studies or a related field. Have an excellent academic record. Have relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their country’s development efforts. Have at least one year of paid employment in their home country or another African country after completing their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Have obtained that employment experience within the required recent period specified by the programme. Not already be enrolled in a graduate degree programme. Not be an Executive Director, alternate or staff member of the African Development Bank Group, or a defined close relative of such an individual. Agree to return to their home country after completing their studies and contribute to its economic and social development. Meeting the basic requirements does not automatically guarantee a scholarship. APU first selects suitable candidates for recommendation, while the final scholarship decision is made through the AfDB-JADS selection process. Eligible Fields of Study The scholarship is aimed at applicants entering graduate programmes connected to energy development and related disciplines. The eligibility criteria identify academic backgrounds including: Energy. Agriculture. Health. Environmental sustainability. Engineering. Related areas. Applicants should carefully examine the specific graduate programmes available at APU and ensure that their proposed research and degree programme align with the scholarship’s development priorities. Application Process for September 2027 Applicants seeking the September 2027 intake must first apply to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University through its online graduate application system. During the APU application, applicants should request consideration for the AfDB-JADS scholarship. For September 2027 enrollment, the stated application deadlines are: 5 November 2026, or 8 January 2027. APU will review application documents and select candidates to recommend to AfDB-JADS. For the September intake, APU’s recommendation process is scheduled for mid-March 2027. Applicants selected as scholarship candidates will be notified of their APU application results. The final AfDB-JADS scholarship award decision is expected by the end of June 2027, although the timing may change depending on the circumstances of the scholarship programme. Required Application Documents Applicants should prepare the documents required for the APU graduate application and scholarship consideration. Two important documents highlighted by APU are the Research Proposal and Curriculum Vitae. The research proposal should follow the requirements in the APU Graduate Application Handbook. Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop research proposals that align with the African Development Bank’s High 5s development priorities. The curriculum vitae should also be prepared according to the instructions provided in the Graduate Application Handbook. Applicants should carefully follow the latest application instructions because incomplete or incorrectly prepared documents may affect their application. Why the AfDB-JADS Scholarship Is Important The scholarship provides African professionals with an opportunity to pursue advanced education in Japan while developing expertise that can be applied to development challenges across Africa. Its emphasis on energy development and related disciplines is particularly relevant to African countries seeking stronger human capital in areas such as sustainable energy, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, agriculture, health and engineering. The requirement for successful scholars to return to their home countries also reflects the programme’s objective of developing professionals who can contribute directly to national economic and social development after graduation. Important Dates For applicants targeting September 2027 enrollment, the key dates are: 5 November 2026: First stated application deadline. 8 January 2027: Second stated application deadline. Mid-March 2027: APU recommendation of scholarship candidates. End of June 2027: Expected final AfDB-JADS scholarship results. September 2027: Graduate programme enrollment. Applicants should not wait until the final deadline if they already have their academic documents and research proposal prepared. They should also confirm the applicable deadline for their chosen APU programme. Final Takeaway The AfDB-JADS Scholarship at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University offers eligible African applicants a potentially fully funded pathway to graduate study in Japan. The award covers the admission fee and full tuition, provides a monthly JPY 150,000 subsistence allowance, and includes economy-class international air travel at the beginning and end of the programme. The opportunity is aimed at applicants aged 35 or below from AfDB member countries who have a relevant Bachelor’s degree, recent professional experience and a demonstrated commitment to their country’s development. For the September 2027 intake, applicants can request scholarship consideration through the APU online application by 5 November 2026 or 8 January 2027. Prospective applicants should begin preparing their research proposal, CV and other required documents early and verify the latest requirements before submission. VISIT APU WEBSITE HERE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Important: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the offering organisation. 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