Application Deadline: February 27, 2026
Take advantage of the opportunity to apply for the fully funded 2026 Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (Window 1), available through the World Bank Scholarships Program.
About the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is designed for nationals of select developing countries who possess relevant professional experience and have demonstrated commitment to their country’s development. Eligible candidates must be applying for a master’s degree in a development-related field.
Subject to funding availability, JJ/WBGSP supports scholarships for 44 designated master’s programs across 24 universities located in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. These programs cover critical development disciplines such as economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management. It is important to note that only applicants admitted to one of these approved master's programs qualify to apply for the JJ/WBGSP Scholarship in 2026.
Application Process and Windows
To align with the academic schedules of the participating master’s programs, the JJ/WBGSP application process is divided into two separate phases:
- Application Window#1: Opens January 15 and closes February 27, 2026
- Application Window #2: Opens March 30 and closes May 29, 2026
The application form for the JJ/WBGSP will only be shared with candidates who have received unconditional admission (except for financial conditions) to one of the participating master’s programs and have been shortlisted as eligible by the respective university. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the university offering the master’s program of interest to confirm if they meet the necessary criteria.
Following the completion of their graduate studies, scholars from developing countries are expected to return home and apply their new expertise to foster social and economic progress within their nations.
Scholarship Coverage
The World Bank Scholarships Program provides comprehensive financial support, including:
- Full tuition fees for the master’s degree
- A monthly living stipend to cover accommodation, food, and study materials
- Round-trip economy airfare between the scholar’s home country and the host university
- Health insurance coverage for the scholarship duration
- Travel allowance to assist with expenses associated with air travel
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the JJ/WBGSP, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Be a national of a World Bank member developing country listed in this list.
- Must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
- Be in good health to undertake graduate studies abroad.
- Hold a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent), which must have been obtained at least three years before the scholarship application deadline.
- Be employed full-time in development-related work when applying for the scholarship.
- Have a minimum of three years of paid employment in development-related roles acquired within the last six years before the application deadline.
For applicants with part-time employment, please refer to the detailed guidance on how to calculate qualifying work experience in the FAQs—Window 1.
The list of qualifying development-related topics can be found in Annex 2 of the Application Guidelines. A special exception is made for applicants from countries classified as Fragile and Conflict States (see Annex 3), where limited employment opportunities are acknowledged.
Applicants must possess unconditional admission (except for funding) by the scholarship application deadline to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs, which must be outside their country of citizenship and residence at the time of application. Admission letters must be uploaded during the scholarship submission process.
Individuals who hold positions as Executive Directors, alternates, or staff of the World Bank Group, or their close relatives (including parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews), are ineligible to apply.
Applicants who have previously been awarded the JJ/WBGSP scholarship but either declined it or did not complete their degree are not eligible to reapply.
Note: All eligibility conditions are strictly enforced, with no exceptions. These criteria remain unchanged during an open call but may be updated between application cycles.
Selection Process
The selection of JJ/WBGSP scholarship recipients is based on a rigorous evaluation aimed at identifying candidates with the greatest potential to contribute to their countries’ development after graduation. Each eligible application is independently reviewed and scored by two qualified assessors on a 10-point scale, focusing on four key areas:
- Professional experience quality (30%)
- Strength of professional recommendations (30%)
- Demonstrated commitment to home country development (30%)
- Educational background quality (10%)
The average of these scores is calculated and used alongside considerations such as:
- Ensuring geographic diversity among scholarship recipients
- Achieving gender balance in award distribution
- Recognizing applicants who have faced unusual hardships or employment challenges
- Prioritizing candidates with limited financial means to study abroad
The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat submits the final list of selected scholars to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee—comprising World Bank Board of Directors and management members—for approval. Successful candidates are notified promptly after the committee’s endorsement.
Benefits Offered to Scholars
- Travel: Economy class airfare between the scholar’s home country and host university at the beginning and end of the program, plus a US $600 travel allowance for each trip.
- Tuition: Coverage of full tuition fees and basic medical insurance arranged through the university.
- Living Expenses: A monthly stipend to cover accommodation, meals, books, and other essentials, with amounts varying by host country.
The scholarship duration corresponds to the length of the graduate program or two years, whichever is shorter.
