Applications are now open for the 2026 Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP – Window 2). This prestigious scholarship is designed for citizens of eligible developing countries who have relevant professional experience and a strong track record of contributing to their nation’s development.
The program supports individuals applying for selected master’s degree programs in development-related fields across top universities worldwide. These fields include areas such as economic policy management, tax policy, infrastructure development, and more.
Subject to funding availability, the scholarship covers 44 participating master’s programs offered by 24 universities across regions including the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.
Eligibility Criteria
- To qualify, applicants must generally:
- Be a national of an eligible developing country
- Have relevant professional experience in development-related work
- Demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the development of their home country
- Apply to one of the approved master’s programs under the JJ/WBGSP
This is a highly competitive, fully funded opportunity aimed at building future leaders who will drive sustainable development in their home countries
- 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.
- On or before the scholarship application deadline date, be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programslocated outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence listed at the time the call for scholarship applications opens.
- 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 by blood or adoption with the term « close relative » defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew.
- Individuals who have previously been offered a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but declined it, or have previously received a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but did not graduate, are not eligible to apply again.
Benefits
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship provides the recipient with the following 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.
Please note all JJ/WBGSP scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship does not cover:
- Visa application(s) costs
- Expenses to bring and/or support a scholar’s family members;
- Extra-curricular courses or training;
- Courses that do not meet the minimum credits required to earn the graduate degree;
- Language training not provided by the graduate program;
- Additional travel during the course of the study program;
- Expenses related to research, supplementary educational materials, field trips, participation in workshops/seminars, or internships; or
- Educational equipment such as computers.
- Resident permit fee
Note: The JJ/WBGSP scholarship may only supplement, and does not duplicate, any other source of financial support/fellowship you might have. If you were awarded another scholarship or fellowship, you must send the documents pertaining to this other scholarship/fellowship to the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat.
Application Closing Date: 29th May, 2026
For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (Windows 2)
