University of Hawaii ADB-JSP Scholarship 2027 in USA | Fully Funded Master’s

The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) has opened its Fall 2027 cycle, funding Master’s study at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Because the program only runs every other year, this is the first ADB-JSP intake since Fall 2025 — the next won’t open until Fall 2029. Funded by the Government of Japan through the Asian Development Bank and jointly administered by the East-West Center (EWC) alongside the university, the scholarship targets qualified professionals from ADB’s developing member countries who plan to return home after graduating.

Selected scholars are enrolled at UHM for their degree while simultaneously joining the East-West Center’s residential and leadership development programs — meaning the award covers far more than tuition. Full tuition and fees, housing, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, and health insurance are all included, across eligible fields such as Economics, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, and the Global MBA.

What trips up otherwise-qualified applicants is the two-track structure: a UHM admission application and a separate ADB-JSP scholarship application, each with its own requirements, plus a reference-letter deadline that lands two weeks after the main one. The guide below covers exactly what’s funded, who qualifies, and the full application sequence.

Quick Answer

ADB-JSP 2027 funds a fully covered Master’s degree at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa for citizens of ADB developing member countries aged 35 or younger with at least 2 years of work experience. The scholarship covers tuition, housing, a monthly stipend, airfare, and insurance. The application deadline is December 1, 2026, with reference letters due December 15, 2026.

Details About the University of Hawaii ADB-JSP Scholarship 2027

• Host Institution: University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
• Administering Body: East-West Center, on behalf of the Asian Development Bank
• Funded By: Government of Japan, via the Asian Development Bank
• Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
• Study Level: Master’s Degree
• Study Intake: Fall 2027 (next cycle: Fall 2029 — biennial program)
• Funding Type: Fully Funded
• Eligible Applicants: Citizens/residents of ADB developing member countries, aged 35 or younger
• Scholarship Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
• Reference Letter Deadline: December 15, 2026

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Financial Benefits

ADB-JSP provides comprehensive coverage for the full duration of the Master’s program:

• Full Tuition and Fees: Complete coverage at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
• Round-Trip Airfare: Flights to and from Honolulu from the scholar’s home country
• Housing: Placement in East-West Center residence halls (Hale Manoa or Hale Kuahine)
• Monthly Living Stipend: Ongoing financial support throughout the program
• Book and Materials Allowance: Covers required textbooks and instructional materials
• Health Insurance: Coverage for the duration of the award
• J-1 Visa Sponsorship: Official Exchange Visitor visa support handled by the East-West Center
• Thesis-Preparation Grant: Available to scholars in research-based programs where applicable

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Eligible Master’s Programs

Each ADB-JSP-approved field carries its own required standardized test:

• Business Administration (Global MBA) — TOEFL/IELTS plus GMAT
• Economics
• Geography
• Natural Resources and Environmental Management
• Ocean and Resources Engineering — GRE required
• Oceanography
• Pacific Islands Studies
• Public Administration
• Sociology
• Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences — GRE required
• Urban and Regional Planning

Important: Business Administration applicants must apply through the Global MBA program’s own admission process, not the general UHM Graduate Division portal used for every other field on this list.

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Eligibility Criteria

Review every condition carefully before starting your application.

• Nationality: Must be a citizen and current resident of an ADB developing member country
• Age: 35 or younger at the time of application
• Academic Record: A 4-year bachelor’s degree, or a recognized equivalent (e.g., a 3-year bachelor’s plus a 1-year Master’s, subject to review)
• Work Experience: At least 2 years of full-time professional experience after completing the degree
• English Proficiency: TOEFL 550 (paper) / 213 (computer) / 79–80 (iBT), IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 95, from a test taken within the past two years
• Admission Status: Must be admitted to, or actively applying for, an approved Master’s program at UHM
• Post-Study Commitment: Expected to return to your home country after completing the program — an explicit condition of the award, not a formality

Who Is NOT Eligible

Confirm you don’t fall into any of the following before investing time in the application.

• Applicants older than 35 at the time of application
• Applicants who are not citizens or current residents of an ADB developing member country
• Candidates without at least 2 years of documented full-time work experience after their degree
• Applicants applying to a UHM graduate program that isn’t on the ADB-JSP approved list

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Required Documents

Prepare materials for both applications well in advance — they run on separate systems.

For the ADB-JSP scholarship application (East-West Center):

• Completed online application form, including four required essay questions
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Transcripts and degree/graduation certificates from every institution attended
• Official TOEFL or IELTS results, sent directly by the testing service
• Three letters of reference, submitted directly by referees to EWC

For University of Hawai’i at Mānoa admission (separate process):

• Standard graduate application through the UHM Graduate Division, or the Global MBA portal for Business Administration
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Statement of objectives, as required by your specific program
• English test scores, if required by your program
• Application fee (reimbursed for one program if you’re awarded the ADB-JSP scholarship)

How to Apply for the University of Hawaii ADB-JSP Scholarship 2027

1. Confirm your target field is ADB-JSP approved before starting any paperwork — not every UHM graduate program qualifies.
2. Apply for admission to your chosen Master’s program at UHM, using the Graduate Division site for most fields, or the Global MBA portal specifically for Business Administration.
3. Prepare your ADB-JSP application in parallel — don’t wait for a UHM admission decision, since both processes run on tight, overlapping timelines.
4. Submit your ADB-JSP application to the East-West Center by December 1, 2026, including your CV, transcripts, and essay responses.
5. Arrange your three reference letters early. Referees must submit them directly to EWC by December 15, 2026 — two weeks after the main deadline, and easy to overlook.
6. Submit official English test scores directly from the testing service if not already uploaded.
7. Await review from both UHM and EWC, which assess admission and scholarship eligibility separately.
8. If selected, plan to travel to Honolulu alone for your first semester — this is a scholarship condition, not optional.

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Important Dates

Frequently Asked Questions