World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2026-2027

Overview

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a fully funded scholarship for mid-career professionals from developing countries pursuing Master's degrees in development-related fields at leading universities worldwide. Funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank, the programme has been building a global community of development leaders since its founding.

The JJ/WBGSP covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip economy airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance. Scholars are admitted to one of 44 participating Master's programmes across 24 universities in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan, all focused on topics central to international development: economic policy, public administration, infrastructure management, social development, and more.

A defining feature of the JJ/WBGSP is its weight on professional experience and commitment to home-country development. Applicants must have at least three years of paid development-related work experience and must be working in a development role at the time of application. All scholars are required to return home after completing their studies and apply their new skills to national development priorities. The selection process scores professional experience (30%), recommendations (30%), commitment to home country (30%), and educational background (10%).

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Government of Japan, administered by the World Bank
Host Country	United States, Japan
Degree Levels	Master's
Value	Full tuition, monthly living stipend, round-trip economy airfare, USD 600 travel allowance per trip, and basic health insurance
Deadline	January–May 2026
Duration	Full duration of the Master's programme or up to 2 years, whichever is shorter
Eligible Nationalities	Citizens of World Bank member developing countries (must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country)
Official Website	https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/jj-wbgsp

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) obtained at least three years before the application deadline. Unconditional admission (except for funding) to one of the 44 participating Master's programmes is required when you submit the scholarship application.

Nationality Requirements

Applicants must be nationals of a World Bank member developing country on the approved eligibility list. Holding dual citizenship of any developed country disqualifies the applicant. The full list of eligible countries is on the World Bank scholarships website.

Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the language requirements of their chosen programme. Most programmes are in English and require IELTS 6.5-7.0 or TOEFL 90-100. Some programmes in Japan or continental Europe may have additional language requirements.

Work Experience

At least three years of paid, full-time, development-related work experience is required, acquired within the past six years. Applicants must be employed in a development-related role when they submit the scholarship application.

Other Requirements

Applicants must be admitted to a participating Master's programme outside their country of citizenship and residence. World Bank Group staff and close relatives of executives and Board members are not eligible. Applicants who previously declined or failed to complete a JJ/WBGSP scholarship are also ineligible.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition fees at the participating university
• Basic medical insurance obtained through the university
• Monthly living stipend covering accommodation, food, books, and other essentials (amount varies by host country)
• Round-trip economy class airfare at the beginning and end of the programme
• USD 600 travel allowance per trip for incidental travel expenses
• Scholarship covers the entire Master's programme or up to 2 years
• Access to a global network of JJ/WBGSP alumni working in development
• Study at one of 44 carefully selected development-focused programmes

How to Apply

1. Review the List of Participating Programmes: Visit the JJ/WBGSP website and review the 44 participating Master's programmes across 24 universities. Pick programmes that fit your professional background and development goals. You must be admitted to one of these specific programmes to be eligible.
2. Apply for Admission to a Participating Programme: Submit your application for admission to your chosen participating Master's programme(s). You must have an unconditional offer of admission (except for funding) before or during the scholarship application window.
3. Verify Your Eligibility: Confirm that you are a national of an eligible developing country, hold a Bachelor's degree obtained at least 3 years ago, have at least 3 years of relevant paid work experience within the past 6 years, and are currently employed in development-related work.
4. Submit the JJ/WBGSP Scholarship Application: Complete the online JJ/WBGSP scholarship application during one of the two windows (Window 1: January 15 - February 27, 2026; Window 2: March 30 - May 29, 2026). Upload all required documents including your admission offer letter, professional recommendations, and personal statement.
5. Obtain Professional Recommendations: Get two professional recommendations from supervisors or colleagues who can speak to your development work experience, leadership, and commitment to your home country's development. Recommendations carry 30% weight in the evaluation.
6. Await Selection Results: The selection committee scores applications on professional experience (30%), recommendations (30%), commitment to home country (30%), and educational background (10%). Geographic distribution, gender balance, and financial access are also factored in. Results come after each application window.

Required Documents

• Completed JJ/WBGSP online scholarship application form
• Unconditional admission offer letter from a participating Master's programme
• Official academic transcripts and Bachelor's degree certificate
• Two professional recommendation letters from supervisors or colleagues in the development field
• Current employer verification letter confirming development-related employment
• Personal statement on development experience, goals, and commitment to home country
• CV or resume detailing professional experience in development
• Copy of valid passport proving citizenship of an eligible developing country
• English language proficiency test results (as required by the participating programme)

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	Window 1: January 15, 2026. Window 2: March 30, 2026
Application Deadline	Window 1: February 27, 2026. Window 2: May 29, 2026
Results Announced	Varies; typically 2–3 months after each window closes
Course Start	Varies by participating programme; typically August–October 2026

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Focus on concrete professional experience in development work, with specific examples of projects and their measurable impact
• Lay out a clear plan for how you will apply your Master's degree knowledge to advance development in your home country
• Show your commitment to returning home by naming specific roles, organisations, or initiatives you plan to contribute to after graduation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for the scholarship without first getting admission to one of the 44 participating programmes
• Not having the required minimum of three years of paid development-related work experience
• Applying while not currently employed in a development-related role, which is a firm requirement
• Holding dual citizenship of a developed country, which automatically disqualifies the applicant
• Submitting weak professional recommendations from people who cannot speak to your development work

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 44 participating programmes?

The JJ/WBGSP partners with 44 Master's programmes across 24 universities worldwide, covering economic policy, public administration, tax policy, infrastructure management, social development, and related fields. The full list is on the World Bank scholarships website and is updated each cycle.

Do I need to be admitted to a programme before applying for the scholarship?

You must hold an unconditional admission offer (except for funding) from one of the 44 participating programmes when you submit the scholarship application.

Must I return to my home country after studies?

All JJ/WBGSP scholars are required to return to their home country after completing their studies and apply the knowledge gained toward national development priorities.

What type of work experience qualifies as 'development-related'?

Development-related work includes employment in government agencies, NGOs, international organisations, social enterprises, or private sector roles directly focused on poverty reduction, economic policy, education, health, infrastructure, or environmental sustainability.

Can I apply to both application windows?

Each window corresponds to different participating programmes. Apply in the window that includes your chosen programme. Check the World Bank website for which programmes are in each window.

Does the scholarship cover family expenses?

The scholarship does not cover visa costs, family support, language training, computers, or resident permits for dependants. It is for the individual scholar only.

How competitive is the JJ/WBGSP?

The programme is competitive. Selection scores professional experience (30%), recommendations (30%), commitment to home country (30%), and educational background (10%). Geographic distribution and gender balance also factor in.

Is the scholarship available for PhD programmes?

The developing country nationals track funds Master's programmes only. A separate Japanese nationals track supports both Master's and PhD programmes for Japanese mid-career professionals.

What is the monthly living stipend amount?

The exact monthly stipend varies by host country and is set to cover accommodation, food, books, and essential living costs. The World Bank adjusts amounts based on cost-of-living in each location.

Can World Bank employees apply?

World Bank Group staff, their spouses, and close relatives of executives and Board members are not eligible for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship.

Related Scholarships

• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2026
• ADB-Japan Scholarship Program 2026
• Fulbright Foreign Student Program 2026