Scholarship details
The new Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) program is now available for all new African students to follow a two-year Master’s program. This is a fully funded scholarship available to study in Japan.
East Japan Africa Scholarship (JADS) Programme: Capacity building in the energy sector through skills development for sustainable development.
It is also a joint AfDB-Japan initiative that aims to provide two-year scholarships to high-achieving African graduate students to enable them to pursue postgraduate studies (i.e., a two-year Master’s program) in priority development areas in the mainland and abroad (including Japan).
About JADS
This JADS program is funded by the Government of Japan. The overall goal that the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to achieve is to enhance the skills and development of human resources in Africa in a number of priority areas related to science and technology with a special focus on the energy sector.
JAD’s goals are aligned with the Bank’s High 5 agenda (i.e., Power Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Mainstream Africa, and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives to Africa and 6th Tokyo International Conference for African Development Outcomes (TICAD VI).
Well, if you are interested in applying for this scholarship, there are some important things to keep in mind.
What can an applicant do before the call?
- Please read the information posted on this website and carefully review the eligibility criteria.
- Apply to one or more of JADS’s select graduate university programs.
- Begin gathering the documentation required for the scholarship application, including your current resume, proof of employment for each employment record since you earned a bachelor’s degree, and a certified copy of your most advanced college degree earned a certificate.
- Identify two professional references.
Please note that the application guidelines providing detailed application instructions will be published on the official website during the open call.
I must tell you that the scholarship is very competitive, so if you are going to do this, you have to do it correctly.
Why Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)?
The JADS program is open to applicants from AFDC Member Countries with relevant professional experience and a track record of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not offer scholarships for any other graduate programs.
The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly stipend for life, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance.
Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary academics are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate newly acquired knowledge and skills and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in their countries.
Level/field of study:
The scholarship is open to postgraduate students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in a number of priority areas related to science and technology, with a special focus on the energy sector.
Host Nationality:
This scholarship must be taken in Japan. so if you’re making plans, make sure you’re prepared to fly out of the country, although there is an option to get the scholarship in priority development areas on the mainland. The choice is yours, but if you have the option to study abroad, here are some Tips on how to get a study visa in Japan.
Tips on how to get a study visa in Japan:
If you plan to study in Japan for more than three months, you will need to obtain a student visa. Like any immigration procedure, getting a visa involves a lot of filling out forms, processing applications, and traveling to an imposing-looking embassy building.
The good news is that the Japanese student visa is one of the easiest to obtain.
Step 1: Choose a school
Each Japanese language school has its own atmosphere and course structure, so you’ll want to find a school that fits your study style. At GaijinPot we work closely with all of our partner schools to make sure we find the right school for you based on your language level, study habits, and which city you want to study in.
Step 2: Understand the application process
- Fill out the inquiry form on the GaijinPot Student Placement Program.
- Complete the student visa application form that we sent you.
- Submit all required documents (see below) to the GaijinPot Student Coordinator before the application deadline.
- Once we have received all the required documents, we will send everything to the school.
- The school will submit the visa application to the Japan Immigration Office on your behalf.
- Please be patient, as it takes 2-3 months for Immigration to approve a visa application and issue the COE.
- Once the Immigration Office approves your visa application, the school will send you the Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Once you receive the COE, take it along with the visa application form (obtained from the Japanese embassy in your country), photos, and a valid passport to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your city.
- The Embassy will issue you the actual student visa, which can take anywhere from 3 – 7 days.
- You are now in possession of a new Japanese student visa!
Important!
What is a COE and why do I need one? The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document issued by a regional immigration authority to prove that the person applying meets the conditions to land in Japan. Basically, it is a preliminary visa selection process; the step before the actual step of applying for a student visa to enter Japan. The Japanese government approves the COE and the local consulate approves the visa.
Step 3: Prepare all necessary documents for the COE
- student application form
Once you apply to the GaijinPot Student Placement Program, our Student Coordinator will send you the student application form.
To increase your chances of being accepted by the Japan Immigration Office, you should try to be as detailed as possible. Especially for the sections that explain why you want to come to Japan. The more you write here, the better!
- Eight identical identification photos (4cm high × 3cm wide)
Photographs must show a clear, full frontal view of the student’s face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair against a plain background. Do not wear sunglasses or hats, or have anyone else in the photo. The guidelines also say that your eyes and ears must be clearly visible.
Make sure the photo is in color, taken within 3 months of submitting your application. Photos must be official passport photos, taken in a specialized ID photo booth and printed on photographic paper. Photographs printed on paper will not be accepted. (Sadly, Snapchat selfies are not accepted.)
- Passport photocopy
Copy of the Photo / Identification and Signature page of your passport. If you have been to Japan in the past, you must also copy any previous entry and exit stamps.
- Academic documents
Proof that you have graduated from school. Usually, your diploma and official transcript are required.
- Financial feasibility test.
The Japan Immigration Office requires all visa applicants to prove their ability to support themselves, including paying tuition, living costs, school fees, and other expenses while in Japan.
The amount varies depending on your school’s tuition costs, the period of stay in Japan, and your life circumstances after arriving in Japan, but it is recommended to show access to an average of ¥2,000,000 or more for the first few months of your stay.
The documents you submit must show where the money to pay for school and living expenses comes from. If you are supporting yourself, please ensure that all documents you provide are under your name (as indicated on your passport). If someone else is sponsoring your stay, a letter written and signed by them must be attached and all other financial documents must show their name.
You can use the following documents to show that you have enough funds to support yourself.
- Bank statements
- income statements
- A financial aid award letter
- Scholarship Award Letters
- sponsorship letter
Note: All documents must be in Japanese or English.
Important!
If you want to sponsor yourself, you should have around ¥3,000,000 in your bank account.
Step 4: After receiving your COE
As soon as you receive your COE, make an appointment at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate in your area to apply for the current visa.
In general, you will need the following documents:
- valid passport
- Japanese embassy or consulate visa application form.
- A photograph was taken in the last 3 months.
- Certificate of Eligibility: the original document and a copy.
- Certificate of Admission – awarded by the school
- Other additional documents that the specific consulate may request, depending on the country.
Don’t forget to retrieve your COE after your visa has been issued, you will need it when you land in Japan.
Now that you know how to apply for a Japanese student visa, you can access other important information you will need to apply for the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS).
Eligible Nationality:
The scholarship is available to Africans who have graduated and are interested in continuing their education at a Master’s level within and outside the continent, especially in Japan.
Scholarship Benefits:
The JADS scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- Economy class air travel between your home country and the host university at the start of the study program and immediately after the end of the scholarship period.
- Tuition for a graduate program and the cost of basic health insurance are usually obtained through the university.
- A monthly living allowance to cover living expenses, including books.
For scholars engaged in research, a special scholarship may be available for research and dissertation preparation. In special circumstances, the scholarship may cover instruction in computers, preparatory language, and other similar courses. Please note that all JADS scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is shorter.
The JADS scholarship does not cover:
- VISA application cost(s)
- Expenses to bring and/or support school family members;
- Extracurricular courses or training;
- Language training not provided by the graduate program;
- Additional trips during the course of the study program;
- Expenses related to supplementary educational materials, excursions, participation in workshops/seminars or internships; either
- Educational equipment such as computers.
Note: The JADS Scholarship can only supplement and does not duplicate, any other sources of financial support/scholarship you may have. If you are selected as a finalist or receive a scholarship, you must inform JADS if you have other sources of scholarship funding.
The JADS stipend may be withdrawn in whole or in part if during the grant period the program has evidence of additional sources of support.
Who is eligible to apply for the JAD scholarships?
University. Candidates must be 35 years of age or younger; in good health; with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the field of energy or a related field; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.
Details about the eligibility criteria are provided in the application guidelines for that call, and these detailed eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made.
Generally speaking, citizens of African countries must:
- Be a citizen of an AfDB member country;
- Being healthy;
- Have a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the area of energy (or related field) obtained at least 1 year before the application deadline;
- Have 1 or more years of recent development-related experience after earning a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent);
- Be unconditionally accepted to enroll in the next academic year at least one of JADS’s partner universities for a master’s degree;
- Applicants who live or work in a country other than their home country are not eligible for scholarships.
- JADS does not support applicants who are already enrolled in graduate programs.
- Not be an Executive Director, his alternate and/or staff of all types of African Development Bank Group appointments, or a close relative of the above by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as Mother, Father, Sister, half-sister, brother, half brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
*Please note: All eligibility criteria are strictly met. No exceptions are made. Eligibility criteria do not change during an open call for applications. However, this information is subject to change between the process of closing one application and opening the next.
How to Apply for the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)
Applicants must, in parallel, apply for admission to one or more of the partner universities and apply for a JADS scholarship through an open call typically announced within the 2nd quarter of the calendar year.
When the scholarship application is opened, the finalized list of selected programs, application guidelines, and a finalized list of eligibility criteria will be available on the official website.
The scholarship application must be completed through the University of choice and include two professional references. Please note that if the applicant is admitted to multiple Master’s programs, they must choose the one to be considered for JADS funding.
Japanese JADS partner universities will send shortlisted candidates to the AfDB for review and selection. The JADS laureates will be invited to a seminar at the AfDB headquarters before their trip to Japan.
Scholarship Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31st October 2023
We believe that the information provided is enough to see you through the application process and share it with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions, please use the comment and we will reply to you as soon as possible.
