Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2026

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a flagship scholarship scheme run by the World Bank with support from the Government of Japan. It is designed for mid-career professionals from developing countries who want to study a development-related master's degree and then return home to contribute to their country’s social and economic development.

The programme supports study at selected participating master's programmes offered by universities in multiple regions, including the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. It is not a general scholarship for any university; applicants typically need to secure admission to an eligible participating programme before or alongside the scholarship process, depending on the route and institution.

JJ/WBGSP is generally considered fully funded. Based on participating programme postings, funding usually includes full tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, a travel allowance, and health insurance. The scholarship commonly supports master's study for up to two years, although some eligible programmes may be shorter. Costs such as visa fees, family expenses, extracurricular courses, and some research-related expenses are typically not covered.

Applicants are usually expected to be nationals of a World Bank member developing country, hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least a few years before applying, and have at least three years of paid, development-related work experience. The programme is aimed at applicants with a clear record of professional achievement, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to return home and apply their training to development challenges.

To apply, candidates should review the list of participating master's programmes, obtain eligible admission where required, and prepare supporting documents such as academic transcripts, degree certificates, references, a CV, and proof of English proficiency if needed by the university or programme. Because participating universities set their own academic admissions requirements, applicants should check both the scholarship guidance and the host institution’s application instructions carefully.