The new Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is now available for all new African students to pursue two years master’s degree program. This is a fully-funded scholarship available to study in Japan.
This Japan Africa Scholarship (JADS) Program – capacity building in the energy sector through skills development for sustainable development.
It is also a joint initiative by the AfDB and Japan that aims at providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in priority development areas on the continent and abroad (including in Japan).
About JADS
This JADS program is funded by the Government of Japan. The overarching goal that the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in a number of priority areas pertaining to science and technology with a special focus on the energy sector.
JAD’s objectives are aligned with the Bank’s High 5 agenda (i.e. Light up and power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives to Africa and the 6th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD VI) outcomes.
Well, if you are interested in applying for this scholarship there a few important things you need to have at the back of your mind.
What Can an Applicant Do Before the Call?
- Read information posted on this website and review the eligibility criteria carefully.
- Apply to one or more of the JADS selected graduate degree university programs.
- Begin gathering required documentation for the scholarship application, including your current curriculum vitae, proof of employment for each record of employment since earning a Bachelor’s degree, and a certified copy of the certificate of your most advanced university degree earned.
- Identify two professional references.
Please note that application guidelines that provide detailed application instructions will be posted on the official website during the open call.
I must tell you this, the scholarship is a very competitive one, so if you going to do this you must have to do it right.
Why Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)?
The JADS Program is open to applicants from AFDC member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.
The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.
Level/Field of Study:
The scholarship is open to graduate students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in a number of priority areas pertaining to science and technology with a special focus on the energy sector.
Host Nationality:
This scholarship is to be taken in Japan. so if you are making plans ensure you are also prepared to fly out of the country though there is an option of taking the scholarship in priority development areas on the continent. The choice is yours to make but then if take the option of studying abroad here are a few tips on how to get a study visa in Japan.
Tips on How to get a study visa in Japan:
If you are planning to study in Japan for more than three months you’ll need to get a student visa. Just like any immigration procedure getting a visa involves a lot of form-filling, application processing, and trips to an imposing-looking embassy building.
The good news is that the Japanese student visa is one of the easiest visas to get.
Step 1: Choosing a school
Each Japanese language school has its own atmosphere and course structure, so you will want to find a school that fits your study style. At GaijinPot we work closely with all our partner schools to make sure that we find the right school for you based on your language level, study habits and which city you want to study in.
Step 2: Understand the Application Process
- Fill out the inquiry form at the GaijinPot Student Placement Program.
- Complete the student visa application form that we send to you.
- Submit all the required documents (see below) to the GaijinPot Student Coordinator by the application deadline.
- Once we have received all the required documents, we will send everything to the school.
- The school will then submit the visa application to the Immigration Bureau in Japan on your behalf.
- Be patient as it takes 2-to-3 months for Immigration to approve a visa application and issue the COE.
- Once the Immigration Bureau approves your visa application, the school will send you the Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
- Once you receive the COE, take it and the visa application form (obtained from the Japanese embassy in your country), photos and a valid passport to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your city.
- The Embassy will issue you the actual student visa which can take anywhere from 3 – 7 days.
- You are now in possession of a brand new Japanese student visa!
Important!
What is a COE and why do I need it? The Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is a document, issued by a regional immigration authority to show that the person applying meets the conditions for landing in Japan. Basically, it’s a preliminary visa screening process; the step before the actual step of applying for a student visa to enter Japan. The Japanese government approves the COE, and the local consulate approves the visa.
Step 3: Prepare all the documents needed for the COE
- Student Application Form
Once you apply to the GaijinPot Student Placement Program our Student Coordinator will send you the student application form.
To increase your odds of being accepted by the Japanese Immigration Bureau you should try to be as detailed as possible. Especially for sections explaining why you want to come to Japan. The more you write here the better!
- Eight identical ID Photos (4cm high × 3cm wide)
Photos must show a clear and full front view of the student’s face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair against a plain background. Don’t wear sunglasses or hats, or have anyone else in the photo. The guidelines also say that your eyes and ears should be clearly visible.
Make sure the photo is in color, taken within 3 months prior to your application submission. Photos must be official passport photos, taken at a specialized ID photo booth and printed on photo paper. Paper-printed photos will not be accepted. (Sadly, Snapchat selfies are not accepted.)
- Passport photocopy
Copy of the Photo/ID and Signature page of your passport. If you have been to Japan in the past, then you should also copy any previous entry and exit stamps.
- Academic documents
Proof that you’ve graduated from school. Usually, your diploma and official transcript are necessary.
- Proof of financial viability
The Japanese Immigration Bureau requires all visa applicants to prove their ability to support themselves, including paying for tuition, living costs, school fees, and other expenses while in Japan.
The amount varies depending on your school’s tuition fees, the period of stay in Japan and your living circumstances after arriving in Japan, but it is recommended to show access to an average of ¥2,000,000 or more for the first few months of your stay.
The documents you submit should show where the money to pay for school and living expenses is coming from. If you’re supporting yourself, make sure that all documents you provide are under your name (as stated in your passport). If someone else is sponsoring your stay, a letter written and signed by them should be enclosed and all other financial documents should show their name.
You can use the following documents to prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself.
- Bank statements
- Income statements
- A Financial Aid award letter
- Scholarship award letters
- Letter of sponsorship
Note: All documents must be in either Japanese or English.
Important!
If you want to self-sponsor, you should have around ¥3,000,000 in your bank account.
Step 4: After you receive your COE
As soon as you receive your COE, make an appointment at the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate in your area to apply for the actual visa.
In general, you’ll need the following documents:
- Valid Passport
- Visa application form from the Japanese embassy or consulate
- One photograph was taken within the past 3 months
- Certificate of Eligibility – the original document and one copy
- Certificate of Admission – given to you by the school
- Other additional documents the specific consulate may ask for, depending on the country.
Don’t forget to get your COE back after your visa has been issued you will need it upon landing in Japan.
Now you know how to apply for a Japanese student visa lets to the other important information you will need in applying for the Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)
Eligible Nationality:
The scholarship is available for Africans who have graduated and are interested in furthering their education to master’s level in and outside the continent especially Japan.
Scholarship Benefits:
The JADS Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- Economy class air travel between your home country and the host university at the start of the study program and immediately following the end of the scholarship period.
- Tuition for a graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance usually obtained through the university.
- A monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses, including books.
For scholars engaged in research, a special grant may be available for research and thesis preparation. In special circumstances, computer literacy, preparatory language, and other similar courses may be covered under the scholarship. Please note all JADS scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.
The JADS Scholarship does not cover:
- VISA application(s) costs
- Expenses to bring and/or support scholar’s family members;
- Extra-curricular courses or training;
- Language training not provided by the graduate program;
- Additional travel during the course of the study program;
- Expenses related to supplementary educational materials, field trips, participation in workshops/seminars, or internships; or
- Educational equipment such as computers.
Note: The JADS Scholarship may only supplement, and does not duplicate, any other source of financial support/fellowship you might have. If selected as a finalist or if you are awarded a scholarship, you must inform the JADS if you have other sources of scholarship funds.
The JADS stipend may be withdrawn completely or partially if during the scholarship period the program has evidence of additional sources of support.
Who is Eligible To Apply For JAD Scholarships?
university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.
Details on Eligibility Criteria are provided in that call’s Application Guidelines, and these detailed eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made.
Broadly speaking, nationals of African countries must:
- Be a national of an AfDB member country;
- Be in good health;
- Hold a Bachelor (or equivalent) degree in the energy area (or related field) earned at least 1 years prior to the application deadline date;
- Have 1 years or more of recent development-related experience after earning a Bachelor (or equivalent) degree;
- Be accepted unconditionally to enroll in the upcoming academic year in at least one of the JADS partner universities for a Master’s degree;
- Applicants living or working in a country other than his or her home country are not eligible for scholarships.
- JADS does not support applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs.
- Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of all types of appointments of the African Development Bank Group or a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew.
*Please note: All eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made. Eligibility criteria will not change during an open call for applications. However, this information is subject to change between the close of one application process and the opening of the next.
How To Apply For The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS)
Applicants must, in parallel, apply for admissions to one or more of the partner universities and apply for a JADS scholarship through an open call typically announced within the 2nd quarter of a calendar year.
When the scholarship application opens, the finalized list of selected programs, the application guidelines, and a finalized list of eligibility criteria will be available on the official website.
The scholarship application must be completed through the University of choice and include two professional references. Note that if the applicant is admitted to several master’s degree programs, he/she must choose the one they should be considered for JADS funding.
Japanese JADS partner universities will send shortlisted applicants to AfDB for review and selection. JADS awardees will be invited to a seminar at AfDB Headquarters prior to their travel to Japan.
Scholarship Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31st October 2020
We believe that information provided is enough to see through the application process do well to share with your friends and colleagues if you have any questions at all use the comment we will respond to you ASAP.
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