The Hawaii ADB Scholarship, a transformative study University of Hawaii opportunity, invites students from Asian Development Bank (ADB) member countries to pursue master’s degrees at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM), a leading research institution founded in 1907 in Honolulu. Ranked among the top 2% globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), UHM hosts 19,000+ students from 100+ countries, offering robust programs in Economics, Sustainable Development, Environmental Management, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Sociology, Pacific Islands Studies, and Tropical Plant Sciences. As a global development catalyst, these US postgraduate programs foster a multicultural academic odyssey, equipping scholars to drive socioeconomic progress in their home countries.
Funded by the Asian Development Bank–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP), established in 1988 with Japanese government support, the Hawaii ADB Scholarship is administered by the East-West Center (EWC), a hub for Asia-Pacific educational exchange. Scholars engage in research-intensive curricular and leadership development programs, participating in EWC’s residential communities and cultural workshops. Economics students analyze regional trade policies, while Environmental Management scholars tackle climate resilience. Urban Planning candidates design sustainable cities, and Pacific Islands Studies researchers preserve cultural heritage, contributing to global knowledge. With an 85% employability rate within six months, graduates excel as policy advisors, sustainability experts, or development consultants, supported by networks like the ADB Alumni Association and partnerships with UNDP and World Bank.
The Hawaii ADB Scholarship champions global development networking. Scholars collaborate with diverse peers, industry experts, and faculty from over 60 countries, fostering cross-cultural innovation. The EWC’s leadership seminars and community engagement initiatives align with ADB’s Strategy 2030 for sustainable growth. Cultural activities, like Honolulu Festival or EWC’s Asia-Pacific Dialogue, and student organizations, such as EWC Graduate Student Association, enrich the diverse academic experience, with 10% of scholars launching development-focused projects post-graduation.
Studying in Honolulu, scholars experience a multicultural academic odyssey. They explore Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, or Pearl Harbor, immersing in Hawaii’s cultural vibrancy. Events like Aloha Festivals, Hawaii International Film Festival, or Merrie Monarch Festival deepen engagement. UHM’s Mānoa campus, with advanced research labs, sustainability centers, and student hubs, supports a global academic immersion, enhanced by connectivity to Tokyo, Sydney, and Manila. Honolulu’s safe, inclusive environment (Numbeo Quality of Life Index 2025) complements academic pursuits.
Join a global cohort to pioneer sustainable development, embrace Hawaii’s cultural diversity, and shape a transformative future with Hawaii ADB Scholarship!
University of Hawaii ADB Scholarship in USA:
Host Country:
•United States
Host University:
•University of Hawaii
Degree Level:
•Master’s Degree Program
List of Fields Available in ADB Scholarship:
•Business Administration
•Economics
•Geography
•Business Administration (Global MBA-Japan Track)
•Natural Resources & Environmental Management
•Ocean and Resources Engineering
•Oceanography
•Pacific Island Studies
•Public Administration
•Sociology
•Tropical Plant & Soil Science
•Urban and Regional Planning
Benefits of ADB Scholarship:
•Full tuition fee waiver.
•A monthly allowance for expenses.
•Housing allowance.
•Books allowance.
•Instructional materials will be provided.
•Medical insurance.
•Travel allowance.
•Students engaging in research would get a grant for the thesis.
Eligible Countries for the UHM Asian Development Bank Scholarship:
•The United States of America
•Southeast Asia: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
•South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
•Pacific Region: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna Islands
•East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan
Eligibility Criteria of the University of Hawaii ADB Scholarship in the USA:
To be eligible for the ADB-JSP scholarship at the East-West Center, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Applicants should be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
2. A 4-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent is required. An equivalent could be a 3-year bachelor’s degree plus a 1-year master’s degree, or a 2-year bachelor’s degree plus a 2-year master’s degree, subject to review.
3. Applicants need to have at least 2 years of full-time professional work experience after completing their university degree.
4. The student will be exempt from English Proficiency Test if the Medium of Instruction is English in their previous degree.
5. You must take an English proficiency test with the following minimum scores: 550 for the paper-based TOEFL, 213 for the computer-based TOEFL, 79-80 for the internet-based TOEFL iBT, 95 for the Duolingo English Test, or 6.5 for the IELTS. The test results must be from within the past two years.
6. Applicants must pay a USD 39 registration fee.
Applicants with the following experiences are not eligible for the ADB-JSP Scholarship:
1. Individuals living or working outside of their home country are ineligible to apply.
2. Those who have previously studied abroad (outside of ADB developing member countries) or are seeking a second master’s degree are not eligible for this scholarship.
Documents required for University of Hawaii ADB Scholarship in the USA:
1. Recommendation letter (if available).
2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Graduation of bachelor’s degree.
3. Academic transcript of bachelor’s program (if required).
4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).
5. CV (if required).
6. Motivation letter/statement of purpose (if any).
7. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.
8. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).
9. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).
10. University Admission Offer Letter (If Already Issued).
Scholarship Deadline:
• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.
• The registration for 2026 is open with a tentative deadline in December 2025.
Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.
