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The University of Hawaii ADB-JSP Scholarship 2027 is fully funded. It pays your full tuition, a monthly living allowance, housing, round-trip airfare, books, and health insurance for a master’s degree at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the United States. It is run by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Japan.
It is open to citizens of ADB developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific, and you need about two years of full-time work experience to apply. There is no application fee for the scholarship.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | United States (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa) |
| Provider | Asian Development Bank and the Government of Japan, through the East-West Center |
| Study level | Master’s degree |
| Funding | Fully funded (tuition, living allowance, housing, airfare, books, insurance) |
| Who can apply | Citizens of ADB developing member countries, aged 35 or under, with a bachelor’s degree and about 2 years of work experience |
| Application fee | None for the scholarship |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026 (Fall 2027 entry) |
What is the ADB-JSP Scholarship?
ADB-JSP is short for the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program. The Asian Development Bank set it up with money from the Government of Japan to help people from developing countries in Asia and the Pacific complete a master’s degree and go home to build their own country.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is one of the schools where you can hold this scholarship. The East-West Center, on the university campus in Honolulu, handles the ADB-JSP applications. So you deal with the East-West Center for the scholarship and with the university for your place on the course. It is a long-running program that has funded students for many years.
What you get
- Full tuition and fees
- A monthly living allowance
- Housing support
- A round-trip plane ticket
- Money for books and study materials
- Health insurance
- Visa sponsorship
The official page does not print one fixed figure for the living allowance. When you apply, the East-West Center gives you the current amounts in writing. The package is built to let you study without a side job to survive.
What you can study
ADB-JSP is for fields that help a country develop, such as:
- Economics and business
- Public policy and development studies
- Environment and natural resource management
- Agriculture and food
- Public health
- Science and technology tied to development
Choose the course that fits the work you want to do at home, not only the one that is funded.
Who can apply
- You are a citizen of an ADB developing member country in Asia and the Pacific.
- You are 35 years old or younger on the day you apply.
- You hold a bachelor’s degree.
- You have at least two years of full-time work experience after your first degree.
- You can show your English is strong enough for your course.
- You plan to return to your home country after you finish.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. You must be 35 or younger when you apply. If you are close to that age with solid work experience, that can make you a stronger candidate, because this program wants people who will go back and lead.
Do I need work experience?
Yes. You need about two years of full-time work after your bachelor’s degree. If you have that experience, it is one of the main things that lifts your file above the rest.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
You need to prove your English is strong enough for study in the United States, usually with IELTS or TOEFL. The exact score depends on your chosen University of Hawaiʻi program. Book the test early, since a slot and results can take weeks.
Can I apply with a low GPA?
The program wants a strong academic record, but your two years of work experience, a clear plan for using the degree at home, and strong references all carry real weight. Tell your story honestly and show what you have done since school.
Required documents
- Degree certificate and academic transcripts
- Proof of your work experience
- CV or resume
- Reference letters
- English test result (IELTS or TOEFL), if you have it
- Passport copy
- The essays or statements the application asks for
Build your final list from the East-West Center and university pages, since details change year to year.
How to write your statement
Your statement is where you show why this degree and what you will do with it at home. Be specific about the problem you want to work on and how the course fits. Two applicants can have the same grades, and the one with a clear plan wins the seat.
How to apply, step by step
- Read the ADB-JSP page on the East-West Center website.
- Choose your master’s program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and check its entry rules and English score.
- Apply for admission to that university program.
- Complete the ADB-JSP scholarship application through the East-West Center.
- Upload your documents and write your statements.
- Submit everything before the deadline.
Selection process
Your file is first checked against the rules: country, age, degree, and work experience. Strong files are then judged on academic record, your reasons for studying, references, and your plan to serve your home country afterwards.
Deadline
1 December 2026, for entry in Fall 2027.
That gives you time, but you need to apply for admission and the scholarship, and you may still need an English test. Set your own target a couple of weeks early and work back from there.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will do our best to help.
Related reading
- University of Richmond Scholarships 2027 (USA)
- Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program 2027 (USA)
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 (Fully Funded)
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