Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides funding for citizens of certain developing countries to pursue a master’s degree in development-related fields. The JJWBGSP Scholarship covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance for the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.
The scholarship is administered by the World Bank (Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program) and is available for 44 participating master’s programs at 24 universities across the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan. Applicants must be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to a participating program to be eligible to apply.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Benefits
- Economy class air travel between your home country and the host university at the start of your study program and immediately following the end of the scholarship period. In addition to the two-way air travel, scholars will receive a US $600 travel allowance for each trip;
- Tuition for your graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance obtained through the university.
- While on campus during the scholarship period, a monthly subsistence allowance to cover all living expenses (accommodations, food, etc., including books). The amount of the allowance varies depending on the host country.
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Eligibility Criteria
- Be a national of a World Bank member developing country on this list;
- Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country;
- Be in good health;
- Hold a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years prior to the Application Deadline date;
- Be employed in development-related work in a paid full- time position at the time of submitting the scholarship application. Have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since earning a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) and acquired within the past 6 years from the date of the application deadline. (Exceptions for listed Fragile and Conflict States are noted);
- Be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to at least one of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program participating master’s programs located outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence;
- Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of any type of appointment of the World Bank Group or a close relative of the aforementioned;
- Individuals previously offered a Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program but declined it, or previously received a Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program but did not graduate, are not eligible to apply again.
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How to Apply for Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
- 2027 WINDOW 1: Application Guidelines (link provided) and FAQ (link provided)
- 2027 WINDOW 2: Application Guidelines (link provided) and FAQ (link provided)
- The link to the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program application form will only be communicated to candidates admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to one of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program participating master’s programs, and shortlisted as eligible Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program applicants by the participating university.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, selection, and how to apply based on official World Bank information.
Who can apply for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program?
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is open to citizens of certain World Bank member developing countries who meet the employment and education requirements. Applicants must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country, must be in good health, and must have a bachelor’s degree earned at least three years before the application deadline. Detailed eligibility is provided in the Application Guidelines.
What study level is supported by Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program?
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program supports master’s degree programs only. Scholarships are available for 44 participating master’s programs hosted at 24 universities across the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan. Applicants must be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to one of these participating programs to apply for the scholarship.
What benefits does the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provide?
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides economy class travel between the scholar’s home country and host university (plus a US $600 travel allowance per trip), tuition and basic medical insurance through the university, and a monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses including books. Scholarships cover the program duration or two years, whichever is shorter.
When are the application windows for 2027?
For 2027, Application Window #1 runs from 18 January to 26 February 2027, and Application Window #2 runs from 29 March to 21 May 2027. Applicants should check the participating program’s specific window and the official Application Guidelines and FAQs linked on the program page.
How do I get the application form?
The link to the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program application form is only communicated to candidates who have been admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to a JJ/WBGSP participating master’s program and who have been shortlisted as eligible JJ/WBGSP applicants by the participating university. Applicants should contact the university offering the participating program to confirm admission requirements.
Are there any costs not covered by the scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship does not cover visa application costs, expenses to support family members, extra-curricular courses or training, language training not provided by the graduate program, additional travel during the study program, research-related expenses, or educational equipment such as computers. Resident permit fees are also not covered.
What is required regarding professional experience?
Applicants must be employed in development-related work in a paid full-time position at the time of application and have at least three years of paid development-related employment since earning a bachelor’s degree, acquired within the past six years from the application deadline. Exceptions may apply for applicants from listed Fragile and Conflict States.
How are applications selected?
Each eligible application is independently reviewed and scored by two qualified assessors. Scores consider quality of professional experience (30%), professional recommendations (30%), commitment to home country (30%), and education background (10%). Finalists are presented to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee for approval with attention to geographic and gender distribution and other considerations.
Can former applicants apply again?
Individuals who were previously offered a Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program but declined it, or previously received a Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program but did not graduate, are not eligible to apply again. All eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to and no exceptions are made during open calls for applications.
Where can I find application guidelines and FAQs?
The World Bank JJ/WBGSP program page provides links to the 2027 Application Guidelines and FAQs for both Window 1 and Window 2. Important links to participating programs, country eligibility lists, and downloadable Application Guidelines and FAQ documents are available on the official program page.
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