The Japan-Inter-American Development Bank Scholarship Program (Japan-IDB Scholarship Program)

The Japan-Inter-American Development Bank Scholarship Program (Japan-IDB Scholarship Program) is administered by the Integration and Trade Sector of the Japan-IDB. Established in 1991, the program gives scholarships to students from the Bank's borrowing member countries to pursue master degree studies at international universities.

The scholarship covers tuition, mandatory administrative and student fees charged by the university, and the cost of medical and accident insurance obtained through the university for the student only. There is no maximum or minimum amount for the university or tuition fees.

During the period of study, the student can be entitled to a subsistence allowance for himself/herself only for the period of study in the academic year. The estimate for the subsistence includes the cost of housing, food, utilities and other reasonable living expenses. A book allowance is also provided. The scholarship can also cover the cost of economy class air travel for the student to get from his/her place of residence to the university, as well as for one return trip following the end of the scholarship or any renewal thereof.

The scholarship is effective as of the start of the academic year and does not cover any expenses during the summer.

The Japan-IDB Scholarship Program consists of two geographic sub-programs, based on the location of the university of study and its academic calendar:

Northern Hemisphere Program - Students planning to study at universities located in North America, Central America, Europe and the Caribbean and starting in September/October should apply to the Northern Hemisphere Program.

The deadline for applications is mid-May and selection is in early July.

Southern Hemisphere Program - Students planning to study at universities in South American countries starting in March should apply to the Southern Hemisphere Program. Application forms are distributed in November of the previous year, and the deadline for applications is mid-January with the selection in mid-February.

To be eligible, applicants must
- be a citizen of one of the Bank's borrowing countries
- be under the age of 40
- hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in the social sciences, business or public administration (or another development-related technical discipline)
- have at least two years of work experience in a public agency or in an organization devoted to research or teaching in the country of origin or residence
- be currently admitted in a master's degree program in the social sciences, education or public administration, engineering, or another development-related technical discipline (except MBA, law and medicine)
- be prepared to return to his/her native country upon completion of studies and work for at least two years in order to apply enhanced knowledge and skills toward helping accelerate economic and social development.

For more information, see http://www.iadb.org