The University of Hawaii ADB Scholarship gives eligible students from developing countries an opportunity to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree in the United States.
The scholarship is offered through the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP). At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, scholars also participate in educational, residential, and leadership development activities through the East-West Center (EWC).
This combination makes the opportunity different from an ordinary university scholarship. Students complete an approved graduate degree while becoming part of an international Asia-Pacific community in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
The ADB-JSP can cover tuition and fees, living support, housing, medical insurance, books, and approved travel expenses.
For the current cycle, the official ADB listing gives December 1 as the application deadline for the East-West Center route, with the normal university intake in August.
Students comparing fully funded opportunities can also explore our latest international scholarships for other Master’s and postgraduate funding options.
University of Hawaii ADB Scholarship Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program |
| Common Name | ADB-JSP |
| University | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa |
| Scholarship Partner | East-West Center |
| Location | Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, USA |
| Study Level | Master’s |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
| Normal Intake | August |
| Application Deadline | December 1 |
| Tuition and Fees | Covered |
| Living Support | Provided |
| Housing | East-West Center housing support |
| Books | Allowance provided |
| Medical Insurance | Covered |
| Airfare | Covered under scholarship terms |
| General Age Limit | Normally 35 years |
| Work Experience | At least 2 years |
| Funding Source | Government of Japan |
| Administrator | Asian Development Bank |
Before preparing an application, candidates should review the official ADB-JSP designated institutions page, where the East-West Center and approved University of Hawaiʻi programs are listed.
What Is the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program?
The Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program was established in 1988 with financing from the Government of Japan.
Its purpose is to help qualified citizens from eligible ADB developing member countries pursue postgraduate education in development-related fields.
The scholarship supports study at designated academic institutions in Asia and the Pacific region.
Fields commonly supported by the broader program include economics, management, science and technology, development studies, and other areas connected with economic and social development.
After completing their studies, scholars are expected to return to their home countries and use their knowledge and professional skills to contribute to development.
Applicants should read the official ADB-Japan Scholarship Program information before applying.
Where Do Students Study?
Successful candidates study at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Honolulu.
However, the scholarship arrangement also involves the East-West Center.
The East-West Center is located next to the university and has a long-standing relationship with UH Mānoa.
ADB scholars pursue their Master’s degrees at the university while participating in educational, cultural, residential, and leadership development programs at the Center.
This means the experience extends beyond classroom study.
Students interact with scholars and professionals from different parts of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States.
Approved Master’s Programs
ADB officially lists a specific group of Master’s programs for the East-West Center and University of Hawaiʻi route.
Current approved fields include:
Global Business Administration
This option is relevant to applicants interested in business, management, leadership, and related professional fields.
Economics
Students interested in economic development, policy, markets, and quantitative analysis may consider the Economics program.
Geography
This field can be suitable for applicants interested in human geography, environmental change, development, spatial analysis, and related areas.
Natural Resources and Environmental Management
This program is particularly relevant to students interested in sustainable resource management, environmental policy, and development.
Ocean and Resources Engineering
Applicants with suitable technical backgrounds can consider graduate study connected with ocean and resource engineering.
Oceanography
This option supports advanced study related to ocean systems and marine science.
Pacific Island Studies
Students interested in Pacific societies, development, culture, politics, and regional issues may find this program relevant.
Public Administration
This program can appeal to applicants working in government, public policy, administration, or development institutions.
Sociology
Candidates interested in societies, institutions, development, social change, and related research can consider Sociology.
Tropical Plant and Soil Science
This field may suit applicants interested in agriculture, plant science, food systems, soils, and sustainable development.
Urban and Regional Planning
Applicants interested in cities, communities, infrastructure, development, land use, and planning can consider this Master’s field.
The approved program list can change. Therefore, candidates should confirm their intended field against the official ADB list of participating institutions and programs before applying.
Is the University of Hawaii ADB Scholarship Fully Funded?
Yes.
The ADB-JSP provides comprehensive financial support for selected scholars.
At the University of Hawaiʻi/East-West Center, the award can include several major study and living expenses.
Full Tuition and Fees
The scholarship covers approved tuition and university fees.
This is especially valuable for international students studying in the United States, where graduate tuition can otherwise represent a major financial burden.
Monthly Subsistence Allowance
Scholars receive financial support for normal living expenses.
The applicable amount and payment arrangements follow the scholarship’s current rules.
Housing
ADB-JSP scholars at the East-West Center receive housing support.
University of Hawaiʻi information specifically describes accommodation in East-West Center residence halls as part of the scholarship package.
Books and Study Materials
An allowance is provided for approved books and instructional materials.
Medical Insurance
The award includes medical insurance according to the scholarship conditions.
Airfare
Approved airfare is included in the funding package.
This normally relates to travel between the scholar’s home country and the study destination under the applicable scholarship terms.
Candidates should verify the complete current package through the official ADB-JSP scholarship information.
Students who are not eligible for ADB-JSP can also check the EWC Graduate Degree Fellowship, which supports eligible Master’s and doctoral students from the United States, Asia and the Pacific at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Does the Scholarship Cover Family Expenses?
No.
ADB-JSP funding is intended for the scholar, not accompanying family members.
The scholarship does not provide an additional allowance to support a spouse or children.
Applicants considering bringing dependants to Hawaiʻi should therefore assess the financial and immigration implications separately.
This is particularly important because living expenses in Hawaiʻi can be high.
Who Can Apply?
Candidates must satisfy both the general ADB-JSP eligibility requirements and the admission requirements of their selected University of Hawaiʻi Master’s program.
Meeting the ADB requirements alone does not guarantee university admission.
Similarly, university admission by itself does not guarantee an ADB scholarship.
Nationality Requirement
Applicants must be citizens of an eligible ADB borrowing member country that qualifies under the scholarship program.
The scholarship primarily targets citizens of developing member countries.
Eligible countries span South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific.
Applicants should verify their nationality against the current official ADB-JSP eligibility information because eligibility can change.
Academic Qualification
Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with a strong academic record.
The undergraduate background should also prepare the applicant for the chosen Master’s program.
For example, an applicant seeking Oceanography will face different academic expectations from someone applying for Public Administration or Economics.
Always check the admission requirements of the specific UH Mānoa graduate program.
Professional Work Experience
Applicants normally need at least:
Two years of full-time professional work experience after completing their university degree.
This is one of the most important ADB-JSP conditions.
Applicants should not assume that internships or part-time student work automatically satisfy this requirement.
Professional experience should also help demonstrate how the proposed Master’s degree connects with the applicant’s career and development goals.
Age Requirement
Applicants should generally be:
Not more than 35 years old at the time of application.
This is the standard age condition under the ADB-JSP.
Candidates should check the latest official requirements before applying rather than relying on old scholarship advertisements.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants need sufficient spoken and written English to undertake graduate study successfully.
In addition to the ADB requirement, individual University of Hawaiʻi programs may impose their own English-language admission requirements.
These may include recognized English proficiency tests depending on the applicant’s educational background and circumstances.
Follow the requirements of your chosen graduate program carefully.
Health Requirement
Applicants must be in good health.
This is part of the standard ADB-JSP eligibility framework.
Successful candidates may need to complete relevant documentation during the award and admission process.
Home-Country Requirement
ADB-JSP is designed primarily for candidates who are living and working in their home countries.
Applicants who are already living or working outside their home country should carefully check whether they remain eligible.
Do not assume nationality alone is sufficient.
Return-Home Requirement
ADB-JSP has a clear development objective.
After completing the scholarship, scholars are expected to return to their home countries and use the knowledge and skills gained during their studies.
The program is not intended primarily as a pathway for permanent migration to the United States.
Candidates should consider this commitment before applying.
Who Is Not Eligible?
ADB-JSP has several exclusions.
Generally, the scholarship is not available to certain ADB employees, consultants, Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, management, or defined close relatives of these groups.
Applicants who have already studied extensively abroad or are currently enrolled in another graduate program should also check the program rules carefully.
Candidates who previously received an ADB-JSP scholarship should not assume they can receive another award.
The latest official eligibility conditions should always take priority over information from third-party scholarship websites.
Is This Scholarship for Master’s or PhD Study?
For the East-West Center ADB-JSP route, the scholarship supports Master’s degree study in approved fields at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
It should not be confused with the separate East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship, which can support both Master’s and doctoral study.
This distinction is important.
Someone searching the East-West Center website may encounter several different fellowship programs.
Make sure you are reading information specifically about the ADB-JSP if that is the scholarship you intend to pursue.
East-West Center Experience
One attractive feature of this scholarship is participation in the East-West Center community.
Students do more than attend university classes.
Depending on program requirements and opportunities, the EWC environment can involve:
- Leadership development
- Cultural exchange
- Educational activities
- Community engagement
- Asia-Pacific discussions
- Professional networking
- Residential community activities
Students live and interact with people from different countries and professional backgrounds.
This international environment can be particularly useful for scholars whose future careers involve regional development, government, international organizations, research, or public service.
Documents You May Need
Exact requirements depend on the application cycle and selected academic program.
Applicants should generally prepare documents such as:
- Completed scholarship application materials
- University admission application
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- CV or résumé
- Proof of professional experience
- English-language evidence when required
- Recommendation letters
- Personal or professional statements
- Identification and nationality documents
- Other program-specific materials
Some UH Mānoa programs may require additional documents.
These could include a statement of objectives, writing sample, test scores, research interests, or other academic material.
Start preparing documents well before December.
How to Apply
The process requires careful coordination between the scholarship and university admission requirements.
Step 1: Confirm ADB-JSP Eligibility
Check your nationality, age, academic qualification, professional experience, health, and other scholarship conditions.
Use the official ADB-JSP information rather than unofficial eligibility summaries.
Step 2: Choose an Approved Master’s Program
Select one of the Master’s programs approved for the East-West Center ADB-JSP route.
Do not assume that every University of Hawaiʻi Master’s program qualifies.
The official ADB institutional listing identifies the approved fields.
Step 3: Check University Admission Requirements
Visit the relevant University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa graduate program and check its academic requirements.
Pay attention to:
- Previous degree requirements
- English proficiency
- Required academic documents
- Recommendation requirements
- Program-specific deadlines
- Additional tests or materials
Step 4: Prepare the East-West Center ADB-JSP Application
Applicants follow the scholarship procedure administered through the East-West Center.
ADB lists the East-West Center as the designated institution for this scholarship route.
The University of Hawaiʻi also provides an overview of the East-West Center scholarship programs, including ADB-JSP.
Step 5: Complete the Required University Application
Scholarship applicants must also satisfy the University of Hawaiʻi graduate admission process.
Do not treat the scholarship form as a replacement for university admission.
Both sides of the process matter.
Step 6: Submit Before the Scholarship Deadline
The official ADB listing currently gives the East-West Center application deadline as:
December 1
The normal intake is in August.
Because scholarship and university deadlines may differ, applicants should work according to the earlier applicable deadline.
Do You Apply Directly to ADB?
No.
Applicants should not send scholarship documents directly to ADB unless the official instructions specifically tell them to do so.
ADB-JSP applications are handled through participating academic institutions.
For this opportunity, the relevant scholarship route is administered through the East-West Center in connection with University of Hawaiʻi graduate study.
ADB explains the institution-based process in its official application procedure.
Application Deadline
The official ADB participating-institutions list gives:
Application Deadline: December 1
Normal Intake: August
This is an important deadline because some University of Hawaiʻi graduate programs may have their own application schedules.
Scholarship applicants should not wait for a later university deadline if the ADB-JSP/East-West Center deadline comes first.
Is Admission Guaranteed After Applying for the Scholarship?
No.
This is a competitive opportunity.
Candidates must satisfy university admission standards and scholarship requirements.
Applicants should also understand that meeting the minimum eligibility conditions does not guarantee selection.
Academic performance, professional background, development potential, program fit, and the overall strength of the application can influence the selection process.
How to Strengthen Your Application
A strong application should connect four things:
your previous education → professional experience → proposed Master’s degree → future contribution to your home country.
Avoid treating these as unrelated parts of your application.
For example, someone applying for Natural Resources and Environmental Management could explain how previous professional experience exposed them to a particular environmental challenge.
They could then show how graduate study in Hawaiʻi would develop the knowledge needed to address similar challenges after returning home.
This type of connection is stronger than simply stating that you want to study in the United States.
Focus on Development Impact
ADB-JSP is a development-oriented scholarship.
Therefore, applicants should think beyond personal career advancement.
Ask yourself:
How will this degree improve my professional contribution?
What problem in my country do I want to help address?
Why is this particular Master’s program appropriate?
How will I use the skills after returning home?
Clear answers can help create a more coherent application.
Common Application Mistakes
Avoid:
- Assuming every UH Mānoa program is ADB-approved
- Missing the December 1 scholarship deadline
- Applying without the required professional experience
- Ignoring the age requirement
- Assuming admission automatically guarantees funding
- Confusing ADB-JSP with the East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship
- Sending the application directly to ADB
- Using outdated lists of eligible countries
- Writing a generic study statement
- Failing to connect the degree with home-country development
- Assuming family expenses are covered
- Leaving English testing too late
- Ignoring the separate UH Mānoa graduate admission requirements
Careful preparation is especially important because several organizations are involved in the process.
University of Hawaii ADB Scholarship vs University of Tokyo ADB Scholarship
Both opportunities operate under the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program, but they are separate university routes.
The University of Tokyo ADB Scholarship provides eligible candidates with opportunities to pursue selected Master’s programs in Japan.
The University of Hawaiʻi route, meanwhile, combines approved Master’s study in the United States with participation in the East-West Center’s educational and leadership community.
The approved academic fields also differ.
Applicants should therefore compare the available programs rather than choosing solely between Japan and the United States.
Your academic background and professional goals should determine which institution fits you better.
Other Scholarships to Explore
Students interested in international postgraduate funding can also explore the University of Tokyo ADB Scholarship for selected Master’s programs in Japan.
Those considering European study may find the Erasmus Mundus MAPP Scholarship relevant, particularly if their interests include public policy, governance, political economy, or development.
Eligible students from Commonwealth countries can also review the Commonwealth Scholarship for fully funded Master’s study in the United Kingdom.
These scholarships follow different eligibility, funding, and selection systems. Compare them according to your academic profile and long-term goals.
Final Thoughts
The University of Hawaiʻi ADB-JSP opportunity offers much more than financial assistance for a Master’s degree.
Successful scholars study at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa while participating in the international educational and leadership environment of the East-West Center.
The funding package can cover major expenses such as tuition and fees, housing, living support, books, medical insurance, and approved airfare.
However, eligibility is selective. Applicants need a strong academic background, at least two years of relevant professional experience, appropriate English ability, and a clear commitment to contributing to their home country’s development.
Most importantly, make sure your intended Master’s program appears on the ADB-approved list.
For the East-West Center route, the official ADB listing currently gives the application deadline as December 1, with the normal intake in August.
Before submitting anything, make a final check through the official ADB participating institutions page.
Last verified: September 2026
Pathfinderly provides scholarship information for educational purposes. Scholarship benefits, eligible countries, approved Master’s programs, deadlines, university admission requirements, and application procedures may change. Always verify current details through ADB, the East-West Center, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa before applying.