The World Bank Group Young Professionals Program (WBG YPP) 2026 is now accepting applications.  World Bank Group Young Professionals Program now unites the respective Young Professionals Programs of the World Bank and IFC (WBG YPP). Applications for the new program are now being accepted by three institutions (the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA). The WBG YPP will hire and train future leaders to collaborate successfully across institutions on joint WBG solutions to development challenges, building on the rich legacy of its predecessor programs.

• Organization: World Bank Group (WBG)
• Contract duration: 5 years (renewable)
• Applications are open September 1 – 30
• Result notification: Late January 2026

Key features of the program include:

1. Leadership Development
2. Professional Experience
3. Training on WBG Policies, Products and Operations
4. Coaching and Mentoring
5. Global Rotations across WBG
6. Management-supported rotations and job placements
7. Networking Events

• Mentoring opportunity by a previous Young Professional and World Bank Group mentor
• Competitive salary based on education and professional level
• Health, accident & life insurance
• Financial support
• Pension plan

You may also like these opportunities:

• Open Doors Russian Graduate and Postgraduate 
• 2025-2026 TDTU Undergraduate Scholarship for International Students in Vietnam

Who can apply to YPP?

• Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• No age limit is mentioned
• Be a citizen of a member country of the World Bank Group.
• Hold at least a Master’s degree with 2-6 years of professional working experience
• Completion of a master ‘s-level degree or equivalent in a relevant field, or a higher qualification in a relevant field, before September 1, 2026. If you are pursuing a doctorate, full-time doctoral research studies in a relevant field at an accredited institution may count towards the required work experience, and the degree must be substantially complete with all the written work submitted before September 1, 2026.
• Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English.
• It is a plus but not required to be proficient in one or more of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
• Be professional in the fields of economics, engineering, social science, public health, education, urban planning, natural resources, etc. or related World Bank, IFC, MIGA operations.
• Do not hold an ET or ST contract in the World Bank
• You are not a World Bank Group staff member, nor are you precluded from applying or joining the program by the employment eligibility policy from the time of application to the Young Professionals Program.
• You may apply this year if you are a JPA or a former Bank intern (interns should have their appointment end date on or before September 30, 2025)
• Applicants should have leadership skills.
• The applicants should show good managerial skills
• Candidates should be passionate for international development
• Be committed and passionate about international development
• Possess outstanding academic credentials
• Displaying excellent client engagement, communication, and team leadership.

Contract Start Date and Terms:

• The Young Professionals Program does not allow for deferred entry; therefore, you must be ready to begin full-time employment with the World Bank Group on September 1, 2026.
• If you receive an invitation to join the Young Professionals Program, your offer will include a two-year term contract as a mid-career staff member at the GF level. This contract may be followed by a five-year renewable contract based on your performance.
• You may also be eligible for a G-type visa for yourself and your dependents.
• You could be located in Washington, DC, or any of the World Bank Group’s country offices around the world, and you must be prepared to relocate as necessary.

Selection criteria:

The following criteria are considered for selection to the world bank young professional program:

•  Proven technical expertise and comprehensive knowledge in a relevant work area, backed by appropriate education, experience, and specialization in the chosen program (applicants select their work program in the application).
•  Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, encompassing quantitative, qualitative, analytical, and strategic skills, as well as sound business judgment.
•  Leadership potential, demonstrated through accountability, focus on results, ability to inspire and motivate, and effective management of oneself, projects, people, and outcomes.
•  Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely present complex ideas and concepts.
•  Adaptability and flexibility in working within complex, multi-stakeholder, and multicultural environments.
•  Must be born on or after October 1, 1992.
•  Must hold the nationality of a World Bank Group member country.
•  A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience post-undergraduate studies.
•  Completion of a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, or higher qualifications by September 1, 2025. For those pursuing a doctorate, full-time doctoral research in a relevant field may count towards the experience requirement, provided the written work is substantially completed by September 1, 2025.
•  Excellent command of spoken and written English (fluency in other languages may be a plus).
•  Must not be a current staff member of the World Bank Group (refer to YPP FAQs for details).
•  Must meet the employment eligibility policy (refer to YPP FAQs for details).
•  A strong commitment to the mission and values of the World Bank Group.
•  Fulfillment of the World Bank Group core competencies.
•  Must meet the specific qualification requirements outlined for the selected work program in the application.

Required documents:

• Resume/CV (ideally 1 page and Max 2 pages)
• Passport photo page
• Transcript or enrollment letter
• Two Recommender details (needed when your application is considered forthe  YP role)

How to apply?

Applicants who meet the requirements can apply online to World Bank Young Professional Program. It takes about 90 minutes to complete your application. Your application cannot be saved to continue later on the last day of the application.

Note: Duplicate applications will not be reviewed and will not increase your chances of selection.

Apply Online

• Eligible applicants will be selected based on their:
• Professional expertise
• Leadership skills and experience
• Commitment, ethics
• Interview format

For more information about the WBG Young Professionals Program, please visit the World Bank’s website.

You may also like these opportunities:

• American Philosophical Society’s Daland Fellowships in Clinical Investigation
• Free Online Course on ‘Stress Management-Techniques for Coping with Stress’ by Alison
• University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship 
• DAAD Scholarship for Master’s Program in Infrastructure Planning (MIP) in Germany
• Getty/ACLS Postdoctoral Fellowships in HISTORY OF ART (New York, USA)