The Africa Dream Scholarship 2025

African students pursuing master’s degrees at their approved universities are currently eligible to apply for the Africa Dream Scholarship, which is offered by the African Development Bank Group. Applicants from African Development Bank regional member nations are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

The Africa Dream Scholarship

The African Development Bank and the Japanese government are collaborating to enhance capacity through the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS).

In accordance with the African Development Bank’s High 5 strategic priorities—Feed Africa, Light up and Power Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the quality of life for Africans—the main objective of the Bank and the Government of Japan is to increase the continent’s human resources capacity.

Additionally, these aims align with important development assistance programs in Japan. The initiative provides two-year scholarships to deserving African students to pursue master’s degrees in engineering, energy, agriculture, health, and environmental sustainability.

Candidates must be from African Development Bank regional member nations, have relevant work and educational backgrounds, and have a history of assisting their nations’ development initiatives in order to be eligible for the scholarship.

After completing their studies, the scholars are supposed to use the information and skills they have gained to return home and support socioeconomic development on a national and continental level.

Benefits of Africa Dream Scholarship

1. Coverage of tuition fees for the full 24-month study period.

2. A living allowance every month for the 24 months of the study program.

3. Beginning from the beginning of the study program, air travel from the home country to the host university and returning home at the conclusion of the scholarship period.

4. Health insurance, typically acquired via the academic institution.

5. An extra six months for post-graduation internships or further preparatory coursework.

6. A unique grant for research and thesis preparation may be provided to researchers who are conducting research.7. Under certain conditions, the scholarship may fund courses in computer literacy, preparatory language, and other related subjects.

Requirements for Africa Dream Scholarship

1. A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, engineering studies, or a similar field is required, as is a track record of supporting their nations’ development initiatives and having strong academic credentials and relevant work experience.

2. After earning a bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) within the last three years, applicants must have worked for at least a year in their native country or in other African nations.

3. Applicants must be in excellent health and no older than 35.

4. Candidates should apply directly through the partner universities to be admitted to an approved master’s degree program at a Japanese or African university (see list of universities and approved courses).

5. The program does not support applicants who are currently enrolled in graduate degree programs, so candidates should not be enrolled in any other graduate degree programs.

6. Must be a national of one of the regional member nations of the African Development Bank.

7. Candidates cannot be an Executive Director, his or her alternate, or employees of the African Development Bank Group in any capacity, nor be a close relative of any of the aforementioned by blood or adoption. A “close relative” is defined as a mother, father, sister, half-sister, brother, half-brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.

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Application Deadline

November 30, 2025.

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How to Apply

To apply for the JADS Scholarship and enroll in the Master’s degree at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, follow these steps:

1). Decide on a Supervisor and Major

To graduate from the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences’ master’s program, students must complete research and produce a master’s thesis.

Therefore, you should draft a research proposal for the study you want to do and see if any faculty members in our graduate school are available to oversee the intended research before submitting.

Reach out to them personally by email or another method.  The application procedure may not continue if the faculty member decides it is inappropriate to oversee the candidate.

It is advised that you send an email to the faculty member introducing yourself, your research interests, your intended enrollment date, and your plan to apply for the JADS Scholarship.

2). Take the Entrance Examination

Twice a year, the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences entrance exam is administered in Schedule A and Schedule B.

Each department or program has a different implementation strategy; therefore, please carefully review the relevant webpage and adjust your application accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may have the following questions and would seek clarification on the following answers:

1. Do I Need to Speak Japanese to Apply?

No, as Master’s programs are usually taught in English, fluency in Japanese is not usually necessary. Nonetheless, it helps to approach learning Japanese with positivity.

2. Can I Apply to Multiple Universities or Scholarships Simultaneously?

You should note in your application that you may be applying to more than one school at the same time.

But as the JADS program is a grant-aid scholarship, you are typically not allowed to have more than one foreign-assistance scholarship at the same time.

3. What Happens after I Complete my Studies?

It is anticipated that JADS scholars will return home after completing their education in order to put their newly gained knowledge and abilities to use and support their nations’ sustainable development.

4. Is There a Specific Intake Period for the JADS Scholarship?

Although the scholarship’s overall application period changes annually, several partner universities have distinct fall or spring admission times for their Master’s programs.

For instance, Sophia University only admits JADS scholars in September for their Autumn Intake.  Verifying the admissions deadlines of the university of your choice is essential.

5. Can I Apply if I’m Already Enrolled in a Graduate Program?

No, applicants who are currently enrolled in graduate degree programs are often not supported by the JADS program. You can’t be working for another Master’s degree right now.