What's Fully Covered
Every component listed here is paid for directly by the scholarship. You will not pay for these out of your own pocket.
ADB-JSP Financial Benefits — Japan-based programs
Figures sourced from Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Tech) official ADB-JSP documentation
| Benefit | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subsistence + housing allowance | JPY 147,000/month | ~USD 980–1,000/month. Covers both accommodation and living expenses. Not split — one combined payment. |
| Book and study allowance | JPY 100,000/year | For academic materials, software, and course-related study costs |
| Thesis/research allowance | JPY 116,250/year | For scholars engaged in thesis research — not automatic, confirmed on a per-case basis |
| Establishment allowance (one-time) | JPY 30,000 | Paid on arrival to cover initial setup costs |
| Tuition and academic fees | Full coverage | Paid directly to the institution — you never handle this money |
| Medical insurance | Full coverage | For the scholar only — not extended to dependents |
| Round-trip economy airfare | Full coverage | Home country to host institution and back. Economy class, most direct routing. No business upgrades. |
Estimated total value per recipient: Over USD 50,000 for a 2-year program, including tuition, stipends, and travel
What's Not Covered
These exclusions are stated explicitly in the program guidelines. Plan your finances accordingly before accepting an offer.
Dependent family expenses
The scholarship covers you only. If you bring a spouse or children, their flights, accommodation, living costs, school fees, and health care are entirely your responsibility. This is one of the most financially significant gaps for scholars with families.
Conferences, seminars, and study tours
Any extracurricular activity — conferences, fieldwork outside the program, academic seminars, study tours — is not covered. These costs come out of the monthly stipend or your own savings.
Personal equipment
Laptops, tablets, and personal computing equipment are not covered. Bring your own or budget from the monthly stipend for any equipment you need.
Japanese language courses (usually)
Preparatory language courses are covered "in special circumstances only." This is not a standard benefit — for most scholars, language training is your own cost. If Japanese proficiency is required for your specific program, clarify with the institution before applying.
Program extension costs
Scholarship support is for the standard program duration only. If you need more time to complete a thesis or coursework beyond the scheduled end date, ADB does not automatically extend funding. Extensions require formal request and are not guaranteed.
Visits home during the program
The scholarship covers one return trip — at the end of your studies. Any trips home during the program are paid from your monthly stipend. For scholars from Pacific Island countries or distant regions, this can be a substantial unplanned cost.
How Far Does the Money Go?
The JPY 147,000/month figure is specific to Japan-based programs. Other host countries use different currencies and different amounts. Here's an honest comparison of purchasing power across the main locations.
| City / Country | Approx. Monthly Stipend | Cost of Living Rating | Honest Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo, Japan | JPY 147,000 (~USD 1,000) | Very High | Tight but manageable if you share accommodation and cook at home. Rent in Tokyo can easily consume 50–60% of the stipend. Popular among scholars who supplement with part-time work (check visa restrictions). |
| Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe, Japan | JPY 147,000 (~USD 1,000) | High | Noticeably more comfortable than Tokyo at the same stipend. Rent is 15–25% cheaper, food is comparable. Scholars in Kobe, Kyoto, or Osaka generally report less financial stress than Tokyo counterparts. |
| Provincial Japan (Nagasaki, Beppu, Sendai, Niigata) | JPY 147,000 (~USD 1,000) | Moderate | The most comfortable financial situation for Japan-based scholars. Rent can be 30–40% of the stipend, leaving meaningful room for savings. If you're open to living in a smaller Japanese city, these programs offer more financial breathing room. |
| Singapore | SGD equivalent (not published) | Extreme | Singapore is one of the world's most expensive cities. The stipend for NUS and LKY programs is not published, but scholars consistently report that living costs in Singapore are higher relative to the stipend than in Japan. Research this carefully before choosing a Singapore-based program. |
| Bangkok, Thailand (AIT) | THB equivalent | Affordable | AIT scholars generally report a comfortable financial situation. Bangkok's cost of living is significantly lower than Japan or Singapore, and AIT's campus has subsidized housing and dining. Often described as one of the most financially comfortable ADB-JSP placements. |
| Manila, Philippines (AIM/IRRI) | USD equivalent | Affordable | Manila's cost of living is manageable. The main challenge is commuting in a traffic-heavy city. AIM and IRRI are well-established ADB-JSP hosts with good support infrastructure for scholars. |
| Honolulu, USA (East-West Center) | USD equivalent | Very High | Honolulu is an expensive U.S. city on an island. Housing is the primary cost concern. EWC provides some subsidized on-campus housing, which significantly helps — but off-campus living is genuinely expensive. |
Note on stipend amounts outside Japan: ADB does not publicly publish stipend amounts for non-Japan institutions. Amounts vary by country and are set based on local cost-of-living adjustments. You will receive confirmed figures only after receiving your scholarship offer letter. Research living costs for your specific program city independently before making your institution choice.
Planning Your Finances
Practical things that scholarship applicants with families or financial obligations need to think through before accepting.
If you have dependents coming with you
Budget for their costs entirely from savings or external support. The monthly stipend must also cover housing for the full family if you're in Japan — a shared house or university accommodation becomes almost essential. Some scholars receive employer top-ups or grants from their home governments; research whether your employer offers any study leave support.
The first month cash flow gap
Scholarship disbursements often begin one to two weeks after arrival. You will need to arrive with enough cash to cover initial accommodation, transport from the airport, and setup costs before the first payment. The JPY 30,000 establishment allowance helps, but it's not enough on its own in Tokyo. Plan to arrive with at least USD 500–1,000 in accessible funds.
Japan-specific financial admin
Opening a Japanese bank account typically requires a residence card (zairyu card), which takes 1–3 weeks after arrival. Some institutions provide an advance before the account is set up, but not all. Ask your institution's international student office about the specific process — this is a practical detail that varies a lot by school.
Important Financial Obligation
The 2-Year Return Obligation
When you accept the scholarship, you sign a formal commitment to return to your home country after graduation and work there for at least two years. This is not an honor system — it is a signed legal commitment.
There is also a separate restriction: you cannot be employed by the ADB Group (including ADB, ADB Institute, or entities associated with ADB projects) for two years after your scholarship ends. This surprises many alumni who plan to pursue an ADB career path immediately after graduation.
The enforcement mechanism for non-compliance is not publicly detailed by ADB. However, this is a real commitment — not a formality. Plan your post-graduation career accordingly.