Advance your education at participating universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. Exciting news! Applications for the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program are now open. This article provides detailed information about the scholarship program, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) for 2025-2026 offers fully funded master’s scholarships for international students. The JJ/WBGSP scholarship covers full tuition fees, accommodation, economy class airfare, and a monthly living stipend.
WBGSP is available to both women and men from developing countries who have relevant professional experience and a track record of contributing to their nations’ development, and who are applying for a master’s degree in a development-related field.
The JJWBGSP offers scholarships for 26 participating programs at universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan, focusing on critical areas of development, including economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management. Applicants are not eligible for a JJWBGSP Scholarship unless they have been admitted to one of these programs. Students from developing nations are expected to return to their home countries to apply their new skills and contribute to the cultural and economic development of their nations after graduation.
Scholarship Summary:
- Level of Study: Master’s
- Institutions: World Bank and Government of Japan
- Study Locations: U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan
- Opportunity Focus Areas: Click here to explore available master’s opportunities
- Program Duration: 2 years
- Deadline: The next application windows will open in January and March 2024
- Application Window #1: January 13 to February 28, 2025, at noon Washington time
- Application Window #2: March 25 to May 23, 2025, at noon Washington time
Scholarship Coverage:
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program offers the following benefits to recipients:
- Economy class airfare between the scholar’s home country and the host university at the beginning of their study program and at the end of the scholarship period. Scholars will also receive a $500 travel allowance for each trip.
- Coverage of tuition fees for the graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance obtained through the university.
- A monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses (such as accommodation and food, including books) while on campus during the scholarship period. The amount of this allowance varies depending on the host country.
Please note that all JJ/WBGSP scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is shorter.
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship does not cover the following expenses:
- Visa application costs
- Expenses for bringing or supporting family members of the scholar
- Extra-curricular courses or training
- Courses that do not meet the minimum credit requirements for earning the graduate degree
- Language training not offered by the graduate program
- Additional travel expenses during the study program
- Costs related to research, additional educational materials, field trips, workshops/seminars, or internships
- Educational equipment such as computers
- Resident permit fees
Eligibility Criteria for the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP)
To be eligible for the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP), applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide
- Applicants must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country
- Must be in good health
- Must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) obtained at least three years prior to the application deadline
- Must have three or more years of recent work experience related to development after earning a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
- At the time of submitting the scholarship application, applicants must be employed in a paid full-time position in development-related work. The only exception applies to nationals from developing countries listed on the updated list of Fragile and Conflict States provided in the Application Guidelines for each scholarship call
- By the scholarship application deadline, applicants must have unconditional admission (except for funding) to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP preferred master’s programs located outside their country of citizenship and residence. A letter of admission must be uploaded before submitting the application
- Applicants must not be an Executive Director or their alternate, or any staff member of the World Bank Group, nor a close relative by blood or adoption (defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew)
Note: All eligibility criteria will be strictly enforced with no exceptions made. Criteria will not change during an open application period; however, this information may be revised between the closing of one application cycle and the opening of the next.
How to Apply for the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
To apply for this scholarship, please follow these steps:
You must first apply for admission to one or more of the Partner Master’s Degree Programs. For information on submitting an admissions application to a partner program, please reach out to the respective university.
Create an account on the scholarship website using the link provided here.
Website
To learn more about The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP), please visit the official website: