The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank, supports mid-career professionals from developing countries pursuing master’s degrees in development-related fields. The program aims to build capacity in public institutions, policy-making, and development practice by enabling scholars to gain advanced skills and return to contribute to their home countries.
Since 1987, the program has supported over 7,000 professionals from more than 160 developing countries. It is not a general academic scholarship but a targeted professional development opportunity for individuals with relevant work experience who demonstrate clear potential for national impact.
2026 Application Windows (for Developing Country Nationals):
- Window 1: January 15 – February 27, 2026
- Window 2: March 30 – May 29, 2026
Official Website: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/jj-wbgsp
Participating programs and detailed guidelines are listed separately for each window.
Note: Japanese nationals have a separate application process and timeline (closing April 17, 2026). This guide focuses on applicants from eligible developing countries.
Scholarship Benefits
The JJ/WBGSP provides comprehensive support for the duration of the master’s program (up to two years):
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend (amount varies by host country to cover accommodation, food, and basic expenses)
- Round-trip economy-class air travel between home country and host university (at the beginning and end of studies)
- Basic medical insurance
- Travel allowance (typically USD 600 for two trips)
What is NOT covered:
- Visa or residence permit fees
- Family expenses or dependent support
- Research costs, fieldwork, workshops, or internships
- Additional courses outside the degree requirements
- Personal equipment such as laptops or books beyond the stipend
- Initial travel or settlement costs (reimbursement may occur after arrival)
Scholars must often cover upfront costs such as visa processing and the first month’s expenses before receiving the stipend and travel reimbursement. Budgeting is essential.
Participating Programs
Scholarships are available only for specific master’s programs at participating universities. In 2026, there are approximately 44 programs across universities in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. Programs focus on development-related topics such as:
- Public policy and administration
- Economic policy and tax policy
- Infrastructure planning and management
- Health policy
- Education policy
- Environmental and natural resource management
- Urban development and planning
Full lists of participating programs for each window are published on the official World Bank site. Applicants must apply directly to the university for admission and secure an unconditional offer (except for funding) before or by the scholarship deadline.
Programs are taught in English. Study must occur outside the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a national of a World Bank member developing country (see the official eligible countries list on the World Bank website). Dual citizens of any developed country are not eligible.
- Not be a World Bank Group staff member, Executive Director, alternate, or close relative (as defined in the guidelines).
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) earned at least three years before the application deadline.
- Have at least three years of paid, full-time development-related work experience acquired since completing the bachelor’s degree and within the past six years. Part-time experience may count under specific conditions (see official FAQs).
- Be employed in a paid, full-time development-related position at the time of application.
- Be in good health.
- Have been admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to at least one participating JJ/WBGSP master’s program located outside the applicant’s country of citizenship and residence.
- Not be currently enrolled in a JJ/WBGSP participating program.
Nationals from fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS) may receive consideration for limited employment opportunities, but they must still provide proof of successive employments.
The program is designed for mid-career professionals (civil servants, policy analysts, NGO staff, economists, planners, and similar roles) with a clear commitment to returning home and applying their skills to development challenges. Fresh graduates or individuals without relevant professional experience are generally not competitive.
Required Documents and Application Process
The application process has two main stages:
- University Admission: Apply directly to one or more participating master’s programs and obtain an unconditional offer of admission (except for funding).
- Scholarship Application: Only applicants nominated or provided access by the participating university can submit the JJ/WBGSP online application.
Key Steps:
- Review the list of participating programs for the chosen window.
- Apply to the university program(s) well before the scholarship deadline (university deadlines vary and are often earlier).
- Once admitted, the university may provide the scholarship application link.
- Submit one complete online application through the official JJ/WBGSP portal by the window deadline.
- Provide supporting documents, including proof of admission, employment history, academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a statement linking the proposed studies to development needs in the home country.
Applications are reviewed by two independent assessors. Scoring emphasizes professional experience (30%), professional recommendations (30%), commitment to home country (30%), and educational background (10%). Geographic balance, gender, and special circumstances are also considered.
Incomplete applications or those submitted to non-participating programs are not reviewed.
Selection Criteria and What Makes a Strong Application
Selection prioritizes candidates who:
- Demonstrate relevant development-related professional experience and impact in their current role.
- Show a clear, realistic plan for applying the master’s knowledge upon return to their home country.
- Have strong, specific recommendation letters from current or recent employers/supervisors.
- Align their proposed studies directly with national or institutional development priorities.
Strong applications avoid generic personal motivation stories and instead focus on policy or institutional contributions (e.g., improving public financial management, enhancing infrastructure planning, or strengthening health systems).
Important Considerations
- Scholars are expected to return to their home country after graduation and apply their skills there. The program is for capacity building, not permanent migration.
- Only one application per window is allowed.
- Current students in participating programs are ineligible.
- Meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee selection — the process is highly competitive.
Next Steps for Serious Applicants
- Visit the official JJ/WBGSP page: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/jj-wbgsp
- Download the 2026 Application Guidelines and review the eligible countries list.
- Identify suitable participating programs for Window 1 or Window 2 and check university application deadlines.
- Begin preparing university applications, gathering employment proofs, and securing recommendation letters.
- Contact participating universities early for admission guidance.
- Monitor the official World Bank site for any updates to lists or guidelines.
For the most accurate information, always refer directly to the World Bank’s official JJ/WBGSP resources and the specific guidelines for each application window. Third-party summaries may contain outdated details.
This scholarship offers a structured pathway for experienced development professionals to gain advanced training at leading institutions while maintaining a strong focus on returning and contributing to their countries’ progress. Success requires early planning, relevant work experience, and a focused application that demonstrates national impact.
