The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) has opened applications for the 2026 academic cycle, offering fully funded scholarships to eligible candidates from developing countries who wish to pursue master’s degrees in development-related disciplines. The programme is designed for mid-career professionals committed to contributing to the social and economic development of their home countries through advanced academic training.
About the JJ/WBGSP
The JJ/WBGSP supports students admitted to 44 selected master’s programmes offered by 24 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. These programmes focus on priority development areas such as economic policy management, public finance and tax policy, infrastructure planning and management, and related fields central to sustainable development.
Only candidates who have secured unconditional admission (except for funding) to one of the participating programmes are eligible to apply. Applicants who are not admitted to these designated programmes cannot be considered for the JJ/WBGSP in 2026.
Application Timeline
To align with varying academic calendars, the application process is conducted in two windows:
- Application Window 1: January 15 to February 27, 2026
- Application Window 2: March 30 to May 29, 2026
The scholarship application link is not publicly accessible. It is shared only with candidates who have been shortlisted as eligible by their respective universities after securing unconditional admission to a participating programme. Applicants are advised to confirm eligibility requirements directly with the university offering their chosen course.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the JJ/WBGSP, applicants must:
- Be a national of a World Bank member developing country
- Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country
- Be in good health
- Hold a bachelor’s degree obtained at least three years before the application deadline
- Have a minimum of three years of paid, full-time development-related work experience acquired within the last six years
- Be currently employed in development-related work at the time of application
- Be unconditionally admitted to a participating master’s programme located outside their country of citizenship and residence
- Not be employed by, closely related to, or affiliated with the World Bank Group
- Not have previously declined or failed to complete a JJ/WBGSP award
Limited exceptions apply for applicants from fragile and conflict-affected states. Eligibility conditions remain fixed during an application cycle but may change in subsequent years.
Selection Process
Each eligible application is independently assessed by two reviewers and scored on a 10-point scale across four criteria:
- Professional experience (30%)
- Professional recommendations (30%)
- Commitment to the development of the home country (30%)
- Educational background (10%)
Final selection also considers regional balance, gender diversity, candidates facing economic hardship, and overall inclusivity. Shortlisted applications are submitted to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee for final approval, after which selected candidates are formally notified.
Scholarship Benefits
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Basic medical insurance provided by the host university
- Monthly living allowance (varies by host country)
- Round-trip economy-class airfare
- A travel allowance of USD 600 per trip
Funding is provided for the full duration of the programme or up to two years, whichever is shorter.
Expenses Not Covered
The scholarship does not cover:
- Visa and residence permit fees
- Expenses related to family members
- Language training not included in the academic programme
- Research costs, internships, workshops, or field trips
- Educational equipment such as laptops
- Additional travel during the study period
While the JJ/WBGSP may supplement other funding sources, it does not duplicate financial support. Scholars must disclose any additional scholarships or grants received.
Post-Study Requirement
Upon completion of their studies, scholars are required to return to their home countries and apply the knowledge and skills gained toward development-focused initiatives, reinforcing the programme’s core objective of strengthening institutional and human capacity in developing nations.
