World Bank Scholarships Program 2026
Supporting Future Development Leaders from Developing Countries
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is now open for the 2026 application cycle, offering a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for talented professionals from developing countries to pursue master’s degree studies in development-related fields at leading universities around the world.
Funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank, the JJ/WBGSP aims to build a global network of development leaders committed to advancing economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in their home countries.
About the JJ/WBGSP
The JJ/WBGSP is designed for early- to mid-career professionals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to development work and public service. The program supports studies in key development disciplines such as:
- Economic policy management
- Tax policy
- Infrastructure management
- Public policy and governance
- Development economics and related fields
Subject to available funding, the scholarship supports studies at 44 participating master’s programs offered by 24 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.
Applicants should note that only candidates admitted to one of the 44 JJ/WBGSP Participating Master’s Programs are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
2026 Application Windows
To accommodate varying academic calendars, the JJ/WBGSP application process is organized into two rounds for developing country nationals:
Application Window #1
- Opens: 15 January 2026
- Closes: 27 February 2026
Application Window #2
- Opens: 30 March 2026
- Closes: 29 May 2026
The scholarship application link is only shared with candidates who:
- Have received unconditional admission (except for funding) to a participating master’s program; and
- Have been shortlisted as eligible by the participating university.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their target university directly to confirm eligibility and admission requirements.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility criteria are strictly enforced and detailed in each call’s Application Guidelines. Broadly, applicants must:
- Be a national of a World Bank member developing country
- Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country
- Be in good health
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) obtained at least three years before the application deadline
- Be currently employed full-time in development-related work
- Have a minimum of three years of paid development-related work experience acquired within the past six years
An exception to the employment requirement applies to candidates from Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, where employment opportunities may be limited.
Applicants must also:
- Be unconditionally admitted to a participating master’s program outside their country of citizenship and residence
- Not be a current or former World Bank Group staff member, Executive Director, or close relative thereof
- Not have previously declined a JJ/WBGSP scholarship or failed to complete the program if awarded
⚠️ All eligibility criteria are applied without exception.
Scholarship Benefits
A JJ/WBGSP award provides comprehensive financial support, including:
Covered Costs
- Full tuition fees for the graduate program
- Monthly living stipend to cover accommodation, food, books, and basic expenses
- Round-trip economy airfare between the scholar’s home country and host university
- US$600 travel allowance per trip
- Basic medical insurance arranged through the host university
Scholarships cover the entire duration of the master’s program or up to two years, whichever is shorter.
Costs Not Covered
- Visa and residence permit fees
- Family support or dependents’ expenses
- Extra-curricular or supplementary courses
- Language training not included in the academic program
- Research expenses, field trips, internships, or workshops
- Educational equipment such as laptops
The JJ/WBGSP may supplement, but does not duplicate, other funding sources.
Selection Process
Eligible applications are evaluated through a rigorous, merit-based process:
Assessment Criteria
Two independent assessors score each application based on:
- Professional experience quality (30%)
- Professional recommendations (30%)
- Commitment to home country development (30%)
- Educational background (10%)
Final Selection Considerations
- Geographic and gender balance
- Applicants facing exceptional hardship
- Preference for candidates with limited access to financial resources
Finalists are submitted to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee for approval, after which successful candidates are formally notified.
Commitment After Graduation
JJ/WBGSP scholars commit to returning to their home countries upon completion of their studies to apply their newly acquired skills toward social and economic development.
This commitment is central to the program’s mission of building long-term national capacity.
Why Apply?
The JJ/WBGSP 2026 offers more than financial support—it provides access to world-class education, global professional networks, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to development efforts at home.
For professionals dedicated to public service, policy reform, and sustainable development, the JJ/WBGSP remains one of the most prestigious and impactful scholarship programs globally.
APPLY HERE