Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) for Master's Study

If you are a development professional from a developing country, this scholarship can pay for a master's degree abroad. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) supports women and men who have work experience in development and a record of contributing to their home countries. It is for those applying to a master's program in a development-related subject.

• Host: Japan Government and World Bank
• Level: Master's degree
• Study destination: universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan
• Deadlines: 27 February 2026 (Window #1) and 29 May 2026 (Window #2) at noon EST
• Awards: 41 participating programs; number of scholarships not specified
• Coverage: tuition, monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, travel allowance
• Duration: the graduate program length or two years, whichever is less

This scholarship fits you if you are a national of a World Bank member developing country, you do not hold dual citizenship of any developed country, and you have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since earning your bachelor's degree. You must be employed in a paid full-time development-related job when you apply.

You also need to be admitted unconditionally to one of the participating master's programs before you can submit the scholarship application. If you are from a Fragile and Conflict State, the program takes limited employment opportunities into account.

JJWBGSP offers scholarships for 41 Participating Programs at universities in U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.

Developing country nationals of World Bank Member Countries

A JJWBGSP scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

The scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.

The applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a national of a World Bank member developing country on this list;
• Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country;
• Be in good health;
• Hold a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years prior to the Application Deadline date;
• Be employed in development-related work in a paid full-time position at the time of submitting the scholarship application. Have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since earning a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) and acquired within the past 6 years from the date of the application deadline. Please see FAQs, Window 1 on how to count qualified part time employment toward this 3-year requirement. Please see Annex 2 of the Application Guidelines for a suggested list of development-related topics. The only exception to this criterion is for developing country nationals from a country that is on the list of Fragile and Conflict States featured in Annex 3 of the Application Guidelines. In such cases, we do take into consideration the limited employment opportunities in those countries.
• On or before the scholarship application deadline date, be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs located outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence listed at the time the call for scholarship applications opens. The letter of admission must be uploaded before submitting the scholarship application. For details, see “How to Apply”.
• Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of any type of appointment of the World Bank Group or a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew.
• Individuals who have previously been offered a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but declined it, or have previously received a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but did not graduate, are not eligible to apply again.

Applications are currently closed.

To be considered for a JJ/WBGSP scholarship, you must first apply and be unconditionally accepted for admissions to at least one of the Participating Programs. The link to the JJ/WBGSP application form will only be communicated to candidates admitted unconditionally (except for finance) to one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs, and shortlisted as eligible JJ/WBGSP applicants by the participating university.

There are 2 application windows depending on the participating program:

• Application Window#1
  From 15 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 at noon EST
  JJWBGSP Participating Programs accepting applications under Window #1

• Application Window #2
  From 30 March 2026 to 29 May 2025 at noon EST
  JJWBGSP Participating Programs accepting applications under Window #2

It is important to visit the Application Guidelines official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

• Who can apply for the JJ/WBGSP? Nationals of World Bank member developing countries who do not hold dual citizenship of any developed country, hold a bachelor's degree earned at least 3 years before the deadline, and have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment within the past 6 years.
• What does the scholarship cover? Tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance, for the program duration or two years, whichever is less.
• When is the deadline? Window #1 runs from 15 January 2026 to 27 February 2026 at noon EST. Window #2 runs from 30 March 2026 to 29 May 2025 at noon EST. Note the year in Window #2 as printed in the source.
• How do I apply? First apply and be unconditionally admitted to a participating master's program. The scholarship application link is sent only to candidates admitted unconditionally (except for finance) and shortlisted by the university.
• Can I apply if I already declined a JJ/WBGSP scholarship? No. Individuals who previously declined an offer or received the scholarship but did not graduate are not eligible to apply again.

• Read the official Application Guidelines and the FAQs carefully before you start.
• Prepare your admission letter and other documents early, since you must upload them before submitting the scholarship application.
• Check that you meet the employment and degree timing requirements well before the deadline.
• Confirm which application window applies to your chosen participating program.
• Submit your application before the noon EST deadline to avoid last-minute issues.