About Organisation
The World Bank is an international financial institution composed of 189 member countries working together to reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing nations. Acting as a cooperative, it provides loans, grants, and technical expertise to support sustainable development projects across sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure. Its mission is to create opportunities for people in developing countries by improving access to resources, fostering economic growth, and ensuring environmental sustainability. The institution is governed by a Board of Governors, usually ministers of finance or development from member nations, who meet annually to set strategic priorities. Through its global initiatives and partnerships, the World Bank focuses on long-term solutions to pressing global challenges—ranging from climate change and gender equality to digital innovation and human capital development—thereby strengthening the foundation for equitable and inclusive progress worldwide.
About the Grant
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) offers opportunities for citizens of developing countries to pursue master’s degrees in fields critical to their nation’s development. Established to foster global capacity-building, the program provides scholarships for 43 participating master’s programs across 24 universities in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. These programs cover key disciplines such as economic policy management, infrastructure, tax policy, and development economics.
The scholarship targets professionals with proven experience in development-related work and a commitment to contribute to their country’s socio-economic progress. Selected candidates receive full tuition support, a monthly living stipend, travel expenses, and health insurance. The JJ/WBGSP underscores the World Bank’s vision of empowering individuals to lead impactful research, policy reform, and sustainable innovation within their home nations, aligning closely with the global goals of poverty reduction and shared prosperity.
Who can Apply?
Applicants must be citizens of World Bank member developing countries and must not hold dual citizenship in any developed nation. They should hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least three years prior to the application deadline and demonstrate at least three years of paid, full-time, development-related work experience after graduation.
Candidates must be employed in a development-related role at the time of application and admitted unconditionally (except for funding) into at least one participating master’s program outside their country of citizenship and residence. Those from fragile or conflict-affected states are given consideration if their employment history is limited due to contextual challenges.
Applicants must be in good health and must not be Executive Directors, staff, or relatives of World Bank Group employees. Individuals who previously received or declined a JJ/WBGSP award and did not complete the program are not eligible. Each applicant must present proof of admission, academic records, and documentation demonstrating their professional and research aptitude aligned with the program’s development goals.
How to Apply?
Applications open in two rounds. Candidates must first secure admission to a participating master’s program. Once admitted, they can complete the JJ/WBGSP online application, submitting their admission letter, proof of employment, academic credentials, and reference letters. The process ensures candidates demonstrate both academic merit and a clear vision for contributing to development within their home countries.
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted in two rounds: Window 1 from January 15 to February 27, 2026, and Window 2 from March 30 to May 29, 2026.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
