The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a fully funded master’s degree program for professionals from developing countries who are committed to contributing to their countries’ social and economic development.
The scholarship supports study in development-related fields such as economic policy management, infrastructure development, public finance, tax policy, and social development. Successful candidates gain advanced skills and global exposure before returning home to apply their knowledge to national development efforts.
About the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Subject to available funding, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides scholarships for 44 participating master’s programmes offered by 24 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.
Only applicants who have secured unconditional admission (except for funding) into one of the participating master’s programmes are eligible to apply. Applicants who are not admitted to one of the approved programmes cannot apply for the scholarship.
Application Windows for 2026
To align with university academic calendars, applications are accepted in two rounds:
- Application Window 1: January 15 – February 27, 2026
- Application Window 2: March 30 – May 29, 2026
The scholarship application link is provided only to candidates who:
- Have been admitted to a participating master’s programme, and
- Are shortlisted as eligible by the university.
Applicants are advised to contact their target universities directly to confirm eligibility.
Scholarship Benefits
The JJ/WBGSP is a fully funded scholarship covering:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Round-trip economy airfare
- Basic medical insurance through the host university
- Travel allowance of USD 600 per trip
Funding covers the full duration of the master’s programme or up to two years, whichever is shorter.
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What the Scholarship Does Not Cover
The scholarship does not cover:
- Visa and residence permit fees
- Family or dependent expenses
- Language training outside the academic programme
- Extra courses are not required for graduation
- Research costs, workshops, internships, or field trips
- Educational equipment, such as laptops
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements. No exceptions are allowed.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a World Bank member developing country
- Not holding dual citizenship of a developed country
- Be in good health
- Hold a bachelor’s degree obtained at least three years before the application deadline
- Have at least three years of paid, development-related work experience acquired within the past six years
- Be employed full-time in development-related work at the time of application
- Be unconditionally admitted to a participating master’s programme outside their country of citizenship and residence
- Not affiliated with the World Bank Group or closely related to its staff
Applicants who previously declined or failed to complete a JJ/WBGSP-funded programme are not eligible to reapply.
Selection Process
Each eligible application is independently assessed by two reviewers and scored based on:
- Quality of professional experience (30%)
- Quality of professional recommendations (30%)
- Commitment to home country development (30%)
- Academic background (10%)
Final selections also consider:
- Geographic and gender balance
- Personal or professional hardships
- Limited access to alternative funding
Finalists are approved by the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee, after which successful candidates are notified.
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Commitment After Graduation
All scholars commit to returning to their home countries after completing their studies to apply their new skills toward national development and public service.
How to Apply
Applicants must first apply and secure admission to one of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program participating master’s programmes. Eligible candidates will then receive instructions from their university on how to access the scholarship application portal.
APPLY FOR THE JOINT JAPAN/WORLD BANK GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
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