Fully Funded Joint Japan–ADB Scholarship 2026 for Master’s in Economic and Public Policy (PEPP) at University of Tsukuba, Japan

Omran Aburayya
Oct 31
5 min read

If you are a mid-career professional from a developing country interested in influencing economic policy, this article will guide you through one of the most attractive opportunities currently open: the Joint Japan – ADB (ADB-JSP) scholarships for the Master’s in Economic and Public Policy (PEPP) at University of Tsukuba, Japan. The call for scholarship admission for October 2026 opens October 1, 2025, and the deadline is November 15, 2025 (JST).

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: Tsukuba, Japan
Host Institution: University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Humanities & Social Sciences / Graduate School of Business Sciences (as PEPP is housed in the humanities/social sciences division).
Study Level: Master’s degree (PEPP)
Target Group: Mid-career professionals from eligible developing countries interested in economic & public policy
Fields of Study: Economic policy, public policy, development economics, quantitative methods, policy design & evaluation
Scholarship Coverage: Fully funded (tuition + fees + living stipend + round-trip travel + health insurance)
Duration: 18 to 24 months (the program is originally 24 months, but qualified students may finish in 18 months)
Application Deadline: November 15, 2025 (for October 2026 admission)
Program Start Date: October 2026

📚 Programme Overview

The Program in Economic and Public Policy (PEPP) is tailored to equip policy professionals with rigorous analytical tools and policy insight. It is jointly supported by the Japanese Government, the World Bank (JJ/WBGSP), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB-JSP).

Objectives and Focus

To train professionals capable of designing, analyzing, and implementing development policies, particularly in developing and transition countries.
Emphasis is placed on quantitative skills (econometrics, statistics, modeling), policy evaluation, and multi-disciplinary perspectives (economics, public policy, political economy).
Graduates often assume roles in government ministries, international agencies, research institutions, or academia.

🧩 Curriculum

The program offers two “courses”: Economic Policy and Public Policy tracks, enabling specialization in either domain.
Students must complete coursework, periodic presentations, and a master’s thesis with quantitative methods.
The structure is intensive: regular interactions with faculty, seminars, and peer learning.

🎁 Benefits Provided by the Scholarship

Recipients of the ADB-JSP or JJ/WBGSP scholarship under PEPP will receive:

Full coverage of tuition and enrollment fees
Monthly living stipend to support everyday expenses
National health insurance during study period
Round-trip economy airfare between home country and Japan, plus travel allowance for each one-way trip
(In some cases) Additional grants for thesis preparation, language or computing preparatory courses, depending on institutional policy

These benefits ensure recipients can focus on learning and research without undue financial pressure.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply under the ADB-JSP / World Bank + PEPP scholarship route, you must satisfy both the general PEPP requirements (Part I) and the specific scholarship criteria (Part II).

Part I: General PEPP Requirements

Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and have completed 16 years of formal education.
Strong foundation in quantitative tools (linear algebra, calculus, basic statistics) and aptitude for economic reasoning.
If your country’s schooling is <16 years, and you are at least 22 years old and have spent at least one year in research, you may submit a “Certificate of Research Activities” to compensate.
Demonstrate English proficiency, either via tests like TOEFL/IELTS/TOEIC or via other evidence (e.g., university/employer letter).
Be in good health, certified by a medical doctor.

Part II: ADB-JSP Scholarship Specific Criteria

In addition to the above, for the ADB-JSP route:

Be a national of an ADB borrowing member country that is also eligible under Japanese ODA scholarship rules.
Have at least 2 years of full-time professional work experience, acquired after the university degree.
Be 35 years old or younger at time of application.
Agree to return to your home country and work for at least 2 years after completing the program.
Must not be an Executive Director, staff, or close relative of ADB; must not be already enrolled in a graduate degree; must not have dual citizenship of a developed country.

(Also relevant) JJ/WBGSP Criteria

If applying under the World Bank / JJ/WBGSP route (another path to funding PEPP), additional conditions apply:

Must be a national of a World Bank member country and not a dual citizen of a developed country.
The bachelor’s degree must have been obtained at least 3 years before the application deadline.
Must have ≥ 3 years of development-related full-time paid professional experience, acquired within the past 6 years.
Must currently hold a full-time paid development-related position (except for applicants from fragile states).

Be careful: you should check in each call which scholarship route you are applying under (ADB-JSP or JJ/WBGSP) and whether Tsukuba nominates candidates via one or both routes. PEPP explicitly supports both.

📝 Application Procedure

Below is a step-by-step guide and the list of documents you should prepare carefully.

Application Steps

Check eligibility under both PEPP general and your desired scholarship track (ADB-JSP or JJ/WBGSP).
Register your email via the PEPP admission portal (OAS system). You will receive a link to start your application.
Complete the online application form, filling sections on personal information, educational background, work experience, research plan, etc.
Upload required documents (see list below).
Submit before the deadline (Nov 15, 2025, 23:59 JST).
Shortlisting & nomination: The University of Tsukuba will review, shortlist, and nominate candidates to ADB or the World Bank as needed.
Final selection by sponsor: ADB / World Bank reviews nominations and confirms the award.
Enrollment & onboarding: If selected, complete admission formalities and prepare to start in October 2026.

🗂️ Documents Required

Prepare high-quality scanned / PDF versions of:

Application form (online)
Photocopy (scan) of passport (data page)
Academic transcripts (undergraduate) and degree/diploma certificate
English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC) or alternative proof
Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Statement of Purpose / Research Plan / Motivational Letter
Loan / Income certificate (for ADB-JSP track)
Certificate of Research Activities (if applicable)
Letters of Recommendation (3 required) — two academic and one professional (one from a director or high-rank person)
Medical certificate certifying you are in good health
(Optional) Publications, thesis, awards, additional documents
Any other documents demanded in that particular call’s instructions

ℹ️ Important update: For 2025–26, PEPP revised recommender instructions: you must provide three letters of recommendation; two from academic referees, and one professional reference from a director or similar ranking official.

👌🏻 Tips & Advice for a Competitive Application

Quantitative strength matters: PEPP is rigorous and demands strong quantitative ability. Brush up on econometrics, statistics, and mathematics.
Work experience alignment: Choose professional experiences tied to development, policy, or public sector — these count more in evaluation.
Craft a strong research proposal: Even at the master’s level, clarity of your research interests and policy relevance can distinguish your application.
Obtain strong recommendations: The required director-level professional reference is crucial; pick someone familiar with your work, preferably with senior standing.
Submit early: The application portal may have bandwidth issues near the deadline; don’t wait until the last minute.
Carefully read the call instructions: Some details, formats, or document requirements change slightly from year to year.
Confirm citizenship/eligibility status: Double-check that your country is in the ADB-JSP or World Bank eligible list.
Health certificate and English test: Arrange early; medical checkups and English tests can take time to schedule.
Backup plan: You may apply to general (non-scholarship) admission or seek alternative funding in parallel.