Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2018 | For African Graduate Students

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is now accepting applications from highly achieving African graduate students to study  in priority development areas on the continent and abroad (including in Japan).

The Japan Africa Scholarship (JADS) Program – capacity building in energy sector through skills development for sustainable development– is a joint initiative by the AfDB and Japan that aims at providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in priority development areas on the continent and abroad (including in Japan).

This JADS program is funded by the Government of Japan. The overarching goal that the AfDB and the Government of Japan seeks to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in a number of priority areas pertaining to science and technology with a special focus on the energy sector. JADS’s objectives are aligned with the Bank’s High 5 agenda (i.e. Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives to Africa and the 6^th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD VI) outcomes.

JAPAN AFRICA DREAM SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY.

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; 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 on Eligibility Criteria are provided in that call’s Application Guidelines, and these detailed eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made.

Broadly speaking, nationals of African countries must:

• Be a national of a AfDB member country;
• Be in good health;
• Hold a Bachelor (or equivalent) degree in the energy area (or related field) earned at least 1 years prior to the application deadline date;
• Have 1 years or more of recent development-related experience after earning a Bachelor (or equivalent) degree;
• Be accepted unconditionally to enroll in the upcoming academic year in at least one of the JADS partner universities for a Master’s degree;
• Applicants living or working in a country other than his or her home country are not eligible for scholarships.
• JADS does not support 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 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 adhered to. No exceptions are made. 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.

JAPAN AFRICA DREAM 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 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 all JADS scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.

The JADS Scholarship does not cover:

• VISA application(s) costs
• Expenses to bring and/or support scholar’s family members;
• Extra-curricular courses or training;
• Language training not provided by the graduate program;
• Additional travel during the course of the study program;
• Expenses related to supplementary educational materials, field trips, participation in workshops/seminars, or internships; or
• Educational equipment such as computers.

HOW TO APPLY FOR JAPAN AFRICA DREAM SCHOLARSHIP.

Applicants must, in parallel, apply for admissions to one or more of the partner universities and apply for a JADS scholarship through an open call typically announced within the 2^nd quarter of a calendar year.

When the scholarship application opens, the finalized list of selected programs, the application guidelines, and a finalized list of eligibility criteria will be available on this site. The scholarship application must be completed through the university of choice and include two professional references. Note that if the applicant is admitted to several master degree programs, he/she must choose the one they should be considered for JADS funding. Japanese JADS partner universities will send shortlisted applicants to AfDB for review and selection. JADS awardees will be invited for a seminar at AfDB Headquarters prior to their travel to Japan.

Application procedure.

1.  Applicant requests for application information from any African partner university.

2.  Applicant receives application forms of their preferred Japanese partner institution.

3.  Applicant completes required documents for application including JADS information sheet.

4.  Applicant sends documents to the selected Japanese partner university.

5.  University sends shortlist of candidates to AfDB.

6.  AfDB review submission from universities.

7.  AfDB recommends awardees based on its selection criteria to the Japanese. Executive Director for approval

8.  AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs partner universities.

9.  AfDB organizes a seminar of all scholars at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

OFFICIAL LINK

Application Deadline: It varies per institution. CLCIK HERE for list of participating institutions and individual deadline.