Since 1987, the World Bank Group (WBG) has offered scholarship programs jointly with the Japanese Government (JJWBGS) for students from developing countries to pursue their graduate studies in different countries. This is a great opportunity for students from developing countries to pursue their studies on a fully funded scholarship. This scholarship is offered in different countries around the world.

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a unique opportunity for citizens of select developing countries to pursue a master’s degree in a development-related field. With a focus on candidates boasting relevant professional experience and a commitment to advancing their nations’ development, JJ/WBGSP supports individuals applying to 52 Participating Master’s Programs across 27 esteemed universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.

Key areas of study include economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management, aligning with the global effort to address pressing development challenges. Please note that eligibility for a JJ/WBGSP Scholarship in 2026 is contingent upon admission to one of the 52 Participating Master’s Programs.

Candidates shortlisted as eligible JJ/WBGSP applicants will receive the application form link directly from participating universities. To determine eligibility and requirements, potential candidates are encouraged to contact the university offering the JJ/WBGSP Participating Master Program they aspire to join.

The application process will be organized in two rounds to accommodate the academic calendar of JJ/WBGSP Participating Programs. Seize this opportunity to contribute to development and shape your future with JJ/WBGSP!

Details of the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

Application deadline:

• First application round: January 15- February 27, 2026
• Second Application round: March 30– May 29, 2026

Awarding organization: World Bank Group and the Japanese Government

Result  announcement: 

• First round: End of March 2026
• Second round: End of June 2026

Targeted regions: developing countries and Japan

Fields of study: Subject to available funding, JJWBGSP offers scholarships for 26 Participating Programs at universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan in key areas of development, including economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management

Fields of study of the WBG

Location:

• US
• Japan
• France
• Australia
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom

Benefits of World Bank scholarships

World Bank Scholarships offer various benefits to the selected applicants as follows:

• A round-trip in Economic class travel cost
• Allowance of US $600 for each travel
• Full tuition fee
• Basic health insurance
• The monthly stipend for living expenses, such as accommodations, food, etc., varies depending on the host country.

Applicants must pay visa costs, family member expenses, extra course fees, language training and travel during the study, resident permit fees, and educational equipment such as a computer.

You may apply to: 

• International Media Studies Scholarship in Germany,
• Chinese Government Scholarships for International Students CQUPT,
• Think Big Postgraduate Scholarships Program in the UK, 2026

UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS

Application Window #1: January 15 to February 27, 2026, at 12:00 noon EST

1. Brandeis University- The Heller School for Social Policy and management –
   1. 1. Master ofr arts in Global Sustainability Policy and management
      2. Master in Global Health Policy and management
      3. Master of Public Policy
2. Columbia University — School of International and Public Affairs:
   1. MPA in Economic Policy Management
   2. MPA in Global Leadership
3. Johns Hopkins University — Bloomberg School of Public Health: Master of Public Health
4. KIT (Royal Tropical Institute) — Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: MS in Public Health and Health Equity
5. University of California-Berkeley — Goldman School of Public Policy: Master of Development Practice
6. University of Oxford – Nuffield Department of Medicin : Msc in International Health & Tropical Medicine
7. University of Tokyo — Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP): Master of Public Policy, International Program
8. University of Tsukuba: Master’s Program in Economic and Public Policy
9. Williams College — Center for Development Economics: Master of Arts in Policy Economics
10. Yale University — School of Management: Master’s in Systemic Risk

Window 1 will close on February 27, 2026.

The link to the online Application Form for Window 2 will be accessible from 30 March to May 29, 2026, at noon EST.

JJWBGSP Participating Programs 2026

Application Window #2: March 25 to May 23, 2026, at noon EST

1. Australian National University — Crawford School of Public Policy

• Master of Climate Change
• Master of Environmental and Resource Economics
• Master of Environmental Management and Development
• Master of Public Policy

2. Brandeis University — The Heller School for Social Policy and Management

• Master of Arts in Global Sustainability Policy and Management
• Master in Global Health Policy and Management

3. Columbia University — School of International and Public Affairs

• Master of Public Administration
• MPA in Development Practice

4. Erasmus University

• Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) — Rotterdam
  • MSc in Urban Management and Development: Four Tracks
    • Urban Digital Transformation & Innovation: Governance and Economics of Cities
    • Urban Housing & Land Justice: Equitable Access to Sustainable Land, Housing & Services
    • Urban Environment, Sustainability & Climate Change: Integrated Management of Land, Water and Air
    • Strategic Urban Planning & Policies: Managing Socio-Spatial Dynamics for Sustainable Cities

• International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) — The Hague
  • Master in Development Studies

5. Harvard University — Kennedy School of Government

• Master of Public Administration in International Development

6. IHE Delft Institute for Water Education

• MSc in Water and Sustainable Development — Water, Food and Energy Track
• MSc in Water and Sustainable Development — Water Hazards, Risks and Climate Track
• MSc in Water and Sustainable Development — Water and Health Track
• MSc in Water and Sustainable Development — Water Resources and Ecosystem Health Track

7. Keio University

• Master in Taxation Policy and Management

8. London School of Economics and Political Science

• MSc Development Management
• MSc Development Studies
• MSc Global Health Policy
• MSc International Social and Public Policy

9. National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)

• Tax Course of the Public Finance Program

10. Saitama University

• International Graduate Program on Civil and Environmental Engineering

11. SOAS University of London

• MSc Development Economics
• MSc Economics

12. Stanford University

• Master in International Policy

13. Université Clermont-Auvergne — FERDI

• Master in Economic Policy Management

14. University of Leeds

• Master of Public Health (International)
• MSc Sustainable Cities
• MSc Water, Sanitation and Health Engineering
• MSc Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security

15. University of Oxford

• Blavatnik School of Government
  • Master of Public Policy
• Department of International Development
  • MSc in Refugees and Forced Migration Studies

16. University of Tokyo

• Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • International Program on Agricultural Development Studies

17. Yokohama National University

• Infrastructure Management Program (IMP) | Institute of Urban Innovation, Yokohama National University

Who is eligible for the JJ/WBGSP program?

The applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria to apply to the World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP) Program :

• Be a national of a developing country that is a World Bank member.
• Applicant should not have dual citizenship of any developed country
• Be healthy
• Have obtained a university degree within the past 6 years.
• Have at least three years of working experience in development-related areas.
• Be currently employed in a development-related full-time paid position. (An exception will be given to the nationals of fragile and conflict-ridden countries.
• Applied and obtained an unconditional offer from at least one of JJ/WBGSP’s preferred university master programs outside the applicants’ home country or the country of residence on or before the application deadline.
• Not be World Bank staff or family members of World Bank staff.
• Please return to their home country after completion of the program

Eligible countries:

The applicants from the following countries can apply to the World Bank scholarships:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Arab Rep., Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Fed. Sts., Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen, Republic of, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Application procedures

Applicants of the World Bank Graduate Scholarship should read the eligibility criteria and follow the steps below:

• To Apply to one or more of the JJWBGSP programs, you need first to select your program of desire,
• Prepare Required documents
•  Submit your application to the university. After reviewing it, the partner master program shortlists eligible candidates and invites them to apply for the scholarship.
• Applicants of the preferred program can apply directly to the program.

Application for JJ/WBGSP will be available during the application period.

Required Documents:

Applicants for Joint Japan World Bank Group Scholarships ( JJ/WBGS ) need to prepare the following document to apply for this scholarship:

• CV
• Proof employment
• certificate of most advanced university degree earned
• two professional recommenders
• unconditional letter from one or more of the preferred program

Application link for window #1 open in the relevant universities and programs will open on January 15, 2025. Please stay updated for application openings.

Application link for window #2  (March-May 24)

Selection criteria:

The application for World Bank Graduate Scholarships will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Professional experience (30 %)
• Professional recommendations (30 %)
• Commitment to your home country (30 %)
• Education background (10%)

You may Check

• Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship 2025 | Study in the UK
• International Media Studies Scholarship at DW Academy in Germany
• 2025 Chinese Government Scholarship at UCAS Beijing
• Friedrich Ebert Foundation: DAAD Scholarship for International Students
• DAAD Scholarship for Master’s Program Infrastructure Planning (MIP) in Germany
• Master Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship Program for Public Policy and Good Governance (DAAD PPGG)
• Edinburgh Global Online Learning Scholarships for Master’s degree
• World Bank Scholarship at Tsukuba University, Japan 
• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship at Asia Pacific University in Japan

Frequently Asked Questions about the World Bank Scholarships:

Where You Can Study

Can I apply for any master’s program with this scholarship?

No, you can only apply for master’s programs designated as “Participating Programs” by the JJ/WBG Scholarship Program. The list of eligible programs for 2025 is available on the above post and as well on the World Bank’s official website. Only these programs qualify for scholarship funding, and applications for non-participating or dual-degree programs are not eligible.

Does this scholarship support undergraduate, PhD, or short-term studies?

No, the scholarship only supports master’s programs. It does not cover undergraduate studies, PhD programs, distance learning, short-term training, or research projects.

Can I receive funding for a master’s program I am already enrolled in?

No, the scholarship is not available for students already enrolled in one of the Participating Programs.

Can I use a deferred admission letter for my application?

Yes, you can use a 2024-25 unconditional admission letter that has been deferred for the 2025-26 academic year. Ensure you upload either the original letter with deferral confirmation or a revised unconditional admission letter for 2025-26.

Can I apply with last year’s admission letter if it hasn’t been deferred?

No, only current or deferred admission letters for the upcoming academic year are accepted.

Benefits

Does the scholarship cover visa or family-related expenses?

No, the scholarship does not support visa applications, family member expenses, or related inquiries. Scholars are responsible for their own visa processes and any family-related costs.

Will the scholarship cover my enrollment deposit?

No, applicants must pay any required enrollment deposits themselves. This requirement does not affect the conditional status of your admission letter for scholarship evaluation purposes.

What is the value of the scholarship?

The scholarship amount varies based on factors such as program length and location. Specific funding details are not disclosed to applicants.

Eligibility

How do I know if I meet the eligibility criteria?

Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet the eligibility requirements listed in the Application Guidelines. The program does not provide individual assessments of eligibility.

Are there nationality restrictions?

Yes, only citizens of eligible developing countries listed in the application guidelines may apply. Exceptions are not allowed.

Is there an age limit?

No, there is no minimum or maximum age requirement.

Do I need an admission letter to apply?

Yes, a current unconditional admission letter (except for financial or medical requirements) is mandatory for application eligibility.

Can I defer my scholarship if I defer my admission? You can defer the scholarship to the following academic year with proper documentation if awarded. However, you cannot use deferred admission to apply for a new scholarship.

Does part-time work count towards development-related experience?

Yes, part-time work can count if it is explicitly detailed in your CV, including average hours worked weekly and its relevance to development.

Are unpaid internships or volunteer work considered?

For applicants from fragile states, unpaid development-related internships or volunteer work may count. For other applicants, only paid work qualifies. Details must be clearly outlined in your CV.

Can I apply again if I was not selected previously?

Yes, you may reapply if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Does military service or mandatory national service count as development experience?

No, mandatory service does not qualify as development-related work experience, though it can be included under volunteer community involvement if specified as mandatory.

Can I transfer the scholarship to another program?

No, scholarships are tied to the specific Participating Program for which they were awarded.

Can I apply for any application window?

No, you must apply under the window corresponding to your targeted master’s program.

Can I pursue a PhD after the scholarship?

Yes, but you must outline your career plans in your Statement of Purpose and meet all criteria for application.

You can read more details on the  World Bank website