ADB-JSP Partner Universities: All 27 Institutions
17 of the 27 partner institutions are in Japan. The other 10 are in Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. Your program choice is one of the most consequential decisions in this application.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
8 min read
Updated Oct 6, 2026
Institution choice is strategy, not just preference
Applying to multiple institutions simultaneously is not just allowed — it's the standard approach, and ADB only asks you to mention it on your Information Sheet. Most serious candidates target two or three institutions. Your priority should be finding programs where your academic background and work experience are genuinely competitive for the institution's own ADB-JSP ranking, not simply chasing the most prestigious name. Only the approved fields of study at each institution are covered.
Each institution has its own admission process and sets its own deadline. ADB's institution list gives each partner's normal intake and deadline month (shown below), and the dates repeat every year — but confirm the exact date for your intake on the institution's admissions page. Start at least six months before your intended study date.
Japan: 17 institutions
The majority of ADB-JSP placements are in Japan. The stipend for Japan-based programs is JPY 147,000/month, covering living costs and housing. Tokyo-based programs carry significantly higher living costs than programs in Osaka, Nagoya or Kyushu.
Tokyo · Asian Public Policy Program (MPP, Public Economics)
Strong in economics and public policy with a practical focus on governance and fiscal policy. A good fit for government economists and public finance professionals.
Tokyo · 18 science and engineering departments
The most program-diverse institution on the list, with 18 eligible master's departments ranging from civil and environmental engineering to architecture, materials science and social and human sciences. Best suited for applicants with strong STEM backgrounds and engineering or infrastructure-related work experience. You need a supervisor's consent before applying.
Niigata · International Relations, International Development, Economics, Public Management, MBA, Digital Management
One of the most internationally focused institutions on the list. Programs are entirely taught in English. Located in rural Niigata — lower living costs than Tokyo, stronger cohort community. Popular with development practitioners from South and Southeast Asia.
Tokyo/Yokohama · Science & Technology, Economics, System Design, Taxation Policy
One of Japan's top private universities. Its programs here are highly competitive for ADB-JSP slots, and the economics track attracts applicants from central banking and private sector backgrounds.
Kobe · Economics, International Studies, Laws, Political Science
The Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies is strong in international trade, law and political economy. Kobe's location as Japan's historic port city gives it a practical orientation toward international economic relations. Lower living costs than Tokyo.
Kyoto · Environmental Management, Agriculture, Engineering, Economics, Business Management
Japan's most research-intensive university alongside Tokyo. Particularly strong in environmental science and agriculture — fields closely aligned with ADB Strategy 2030. The Graduate School of Management occasionally conducts optional online interviews for ADB-JSP applicants.
Fukuoka · Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Law (LL.M.)
Located in Fukuoka — historically Japan's gateway to Asia. Strong agricultural sciences and bioresource programs. Worth considering for applicants with food security, agricultural development or natural resource management backgrounds.
Nagasaki · Tropical Medicine, Medical Science
The go-to institution for health professionals. Nagasaki's School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health has a long history in tropical medicine research and is an excellent choice for medical officers, public health practitioners and health policy professionals from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Nagoya · International Development
The Graduate School of International Development (GSID) is one of Japan's most respected programs specifically oriented toward international development practice. Strong connections to Southeast Asian development research.
Tokyo · Public Policy (1-year and 2-year programs)
A government-run graduate school for public policy with a strong Asia focus. Most students are mid-career public servants, and programs are in English. The 1-year program is particularly popular with government officials who can only manage shorter absences. GRIPS took 11 new ADB-JSP scholars in 2025, joint second in Japan (ADB annual report).
Beppu · Asia Pacific Studies, International Cooperation Policy
One of the most internationally diverse campuses in Japan. Located in Beppu, Oita — lower costs than Tokyo. Programs taught in both English and Japanese. Known for a very strong peer network among Asia-Pacific professionals and alumni.
Kusatsu, Shiga (Kyoto area) · Economics
Graduate economics (Master's Program in Economic Development) with a policy application emphasis. The Kansai region location keeps costs moderate relative to Tokyo. No application fee via the ADB-JSP route.
Saitama · Civil and Environmental Engineering
Focused specifically on civil and environmental engineering. Best suited for infrastructure professionals — road, water, sanitation or urban systems engineers who want to deepen technical expertise with a Japanese engineering perspective.
Sendai · Human Security, Disaster Risk Reduction, Environment
Strong in disaster risk reduction and human security — areas directly relevant to climate-vulnerable Pacific Island and South Asian applicants. Sendai's role in post-2011 reconstruction makes this program especially compelling for disaster management professionals.
Tokyo · Sustainability
A genuinely unique institution — UNU-IAS operates inside the UN system. Its MSc in Sustainability attracts professionals from environment ministries, multilateral organizations and climate-focused NGOs. Strong research connections to global sustainability policy processes.
Tokyo · Civil Engineering, Urban Engineering, Environmental Studies, Health Science, Public Policy
Japan's most prestigious university. It took 19 new ADB-JSP scholars in 2025, more than any other partner in Japan. Strong across engineering, environment and public policy. Tokyo's cost of living is the highest on the list — the JPY 147,000/month stipend is noticeably tighter here than elsewhere in Japan. The School of International Health admits about three to five ADB-JSP scholars a year for April entry.
Tsukuba (near Tokyo) · International Public Policy
A well-regarded public policy program in Japan's science city. The campus is purpose-built and relatively self-contained — a different experience from urban campus life in Tokyo or Osaka, with somewhat lower costs.
Outside Japan: 10 institutions
Ten institutions in seven other locations. These cover very different cost environments, fields and academic cultures — and are worth serious consideration if Japan-based study isn't your priority.
Singapore
MBA, Sustainable and Green Finance, Economics, Environmental Management
Asia's top-ranked university and the most globally recognized institution on this list. The MBA and sustainable finance programs are particularly strong for applicants from the financial sector. Singapore's cost of living is very high — ADB stipends cover less here than in most other locations.
Master in Public Policy
The LKY School is widely regarded as Asia's premier public policy school. Competitive for ADB-JSP slots. Strong fit for senior civil servants and policy professionals. Its alumni network in government institutions across the Asia-Pacific is extensive.
Philippines
Manila · International MBA, Development Management
Southeast Asia's oldest independent graduate business school. AIM is notable for combining management education with a development lens — the Development Management program is specifically designed for public sector and NGO professionals. Manila-based, with relatively affordable living costs.
Los Baños · Agriculture and related sciences
A highly specialized option for agriculture and food security professionals; MS thesis research must be on rice and related systems. The IRRI connection provides access to world-class agricultural research infrastructure. Best suited for applicants working in crop science, food security or agricultural development in rice-dependent economies.
Thailand
Pathum Thani · Engineering, Technology, Management, Environment
One of the most popular non-Japan options for ADB-JSP. AIT offers a wide range of programs in English and has decades of experience placing ADB-JSP scholars. Applicants submit directly through AIT's admissions portal. Lower cost of living than Singapore and similar to Manila.
Bangkok (Rangsit campus) · Engineering, Economics
Thailand's second-oldest university, with strong economics and engineering programs. The international programs are conducted in English. A solid option for applicants from neighboring Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar) who prefer a regional setting.
India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and the United States
New Delhi · M.Tech in Science & Technology
India's most prestigious engineering institution. The ADB-JSP slot at IIT Delhi is specifically for applicants in science and technology fields. Highly competitive — IIT Delhi's own admissions process is rigorous.
Lahore · MBA
Pakistan's top business school, strong in entrepreneurship and management consulting. Nationals of any eligible country can apply, but note that ADB's criteria say candidates applying at a designated institution in their own country may not be selected — a real hurdle for Pakistani applicants.
Hong Kong · MSc Urban Planning, Master of Urban Design
The sole institution for urban planning specialists. Relevant for applicants working in city planning, urban infrastructure or housing policy in rapidly urbanizing countries. Hong Kong's cost of living is among the highest on the list.
Hawaii · Global Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, and 7 more
The East-West Center accepts ADB-JSP applications only every other year. The window for Fall 2027 entry opened on 18 August 2026 and closes on 1 December 2026 (EWC). You also apply separately to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The scholarship includes housing in East-West Center residences. If you miss this window, the next one is not expected before 2028.
Intake and deadline months come from ADB's list of academic institutions. Next: what the scholarship pays in each location, on the funding page.