Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme 2026-2027

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme (JJ/WBGSP) is one of the world’s most prestigious opportunities for development professionals from developing nations.

Funded by the Government of Japan in partnership with the World Bank, this fully funded scholarship programme enables talented individuals to pursue master’s degrees in development-related fields at top universities across five continents.

With coverage of all major expenses and a focus on building the next generation of development leaders, this scholarship represents a life-changing opportunity for those committed to creating positive change in their home countries.

Scholarship Overview

This scholarship is designed specifically for women and men from developing countries who have demonstrated commitment to development work through their professional experience. If you’re a mid-career professional with at least three years of relevant experience, hold a bachelor’s degree, and dream of advancing your expertise to drive meaningful development initiatives, this programme could be your pathway to achieving those goals. The scholarship supports study at 41 carefully selected partner universities known for their excellence in development studies and related disciplines.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the JJ/WBGSP 2026-2027 cycle. You’ll learn about eligibility requirements, the full range of benefits, participating universities and programmes, required documents, step-by-step application instructions, selection criteria, and expert tips to strengthen your application. By the end of this post, you’ll have all the information needed to decide if this scholarship is right for you and how to submit a competitive application.

Who Can Apply?

To be considered for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You must be a national of a World Bank member developing country (eligible countries are listed below)
• You must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country
• Your country must be eligible to borrow from the World Bank
• You must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent university degree
• Your bachelor’s degree must have been earned at least 3 years prior to the scholarship application deadline date
• You must have received unconditional admission (except for funding) to at least one of the 41 JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programmes by the application deadline
• You must be employed in development-related work in a paid full-time position at the time of submitting your application
• You must have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since earning your bachelor’s degree
• This employment must have been acquired within the past 6 years from the application deadline date
• You must be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to at least one participating master’s programme before the scholarship application deadline
• The programme must be located outside of both your country of citizenship and your country of residence
• You must upload your letter of admission before submitting the scholarship application
• You must be in good health

Scholarship Exclusions

• You cannot be an Executive Director of the World Bank Group, their alternate, staff member of any type, or a close relative (mother, father, sister, half-sister, brother, half-brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew) of the aforementioned
• You cannot have previously been offered a JJ/WBGSP scholarship and declined it
• You cannot have previously received a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but failed to graduate
• If you are from a country listed as a Fragile and Conflict State (see Annex 3 of Application Guidelines), the programme takes into consideration limited employment opportunities, and special consideration may be given

Which Countries Are Eligible?

The JJ/WBGSP is open to nationals of World Bank member developing countries. The scholarship website provides a comprehensive list of eligible countries. Below are the regions from which applicants are typically accepted:

1. Africa:  Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
2. Asia:  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam
3. Europe and Central Asia: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
4. Latin America and Caribbea:n Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
5. Middle East: Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen

Note: The specific list of eligible countries may be updated. Can’t find your country? Check the official eligibility list on the World Bank scholarship website using the link provided at the end of this post.

What Can You Study?

The JJ/WBGSP focuses specifically on development-related fields of study. While the scholarship supports 41 participating programmes across various disciplines, all must be related to development topics.

Development-related fields typically include:

• Economic Development and Policy
• Public Administration and Governance
• Health Systems and Public Health
• Education Policy and Administration
• Agriculture and Rural Development
• Environmental Studies and Natural Resource Management
• Infrastructure and Urban Development
• Social Development and Protection
• Financial Sector Development
• Private Sector Development
• Gender and Development
• Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies
• International Development Studies
• Development Finance
• Poverty Reduction Strategies
• Water Resources Management
• Food Security and Nutrition
• Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Important Notes:

• You must apply to one of the 41 participating programmes specifically partnered with JJ/WBGSP
• The complete list of participating universities and programmes is available on the official scholarship website
• Your chosen programme must align with development work and demonstrate clear relevance to addressing development challenges
• General MBA programmes or purely academic research programmes without development focus are typically not eligible
• For a suggested list of development-related topics, refer to Annex 2 of the Application Guidelines on the official website

What You’ll Get

The JJ/WBGSP scholarship provides comprehensive funding to ensure you can focus entirely on your studies without financial stress:

1. Tuition Fees: Full coverage of tuition fees for the duration of your master’s programme at the participating university
2. Monthly Living Stipend: A monthly allowance to cover accommodation, food, local transportation, and other living expenses. The amount varies depending on the cost of living in the host country [NEEDS VERIFICATION: Specific stipend amounts per country/region]
3. Round-Trip Airfare: Economy class air travel from your home country to the host university at the beginning of the programme and return travel upon completion
4. Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your studies
5. Travel Allowance: Additional allowance to cover incidental travel expenses related to your programme

Scholarship Duration

The scholarship covers the full duration of the graduate programme or two years, whichever is less. This means:

• If your programme is one year, you receive funding for one year
• If your programme is two years or longer, you receive funding for two years maximum

What’s NOT Covered:

• Visa application fees
• Expenses for dependants or family members
• Additional travel beyond the provided round-trip airfare
• Personal equipment beyond what’s necessary for studies

Documents You’ll Need

To complete your JJ/WBGSP scholarship application, you will need to prepare the following documents:

1. Valid Passport: Copy of your current passport showing your nationality and validity dates
2. Bachelor’s Degree Certificate: Official certificate or diploma proving you hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) earned at least 3 years prior to the application deadline
3. Academic Transcripts: Complete official transcripts from all universities attended, showing courses taken and grades achieved
4. Letter of Unconditional Admission: Official admission letter from at least one of the 41 JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programmes confirming your unconditional acceptance (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Comprehensive CV detailing your educational background, professional experience (with emphasis on development-related work), skills, achievements, and publications (if any)
6. Employment Verification Letters: Official letters from your employer(s) confirming your full-time paid employment in development-related work, including dates of employment, job title, and description of duties
7. Proof of Development-Related Work Experience: Documentation demonstrating at least 3 years of paid development-related employment within the past 6 years (may be combined with employment verification letters)
8. Personal Statement / Essay: Statement explaining your career goals, commitment to development work, and how the master’s degree will contribute to your country’s development
9. Letters of Recommendation: Professional references attesting to your qualifications and commitment to development work
10. Language Proficiency Test Results: English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent) if required by your chosen programme
11. Medical Certificate: Documentation confirming you are in good health
12. Additional Programme-Specific Documents Any additional documents required by your specific participating programme

Important: Keep digital copies of all documents ready in PDF format. Check file size limitations and naming conventions on the application portal.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

The application process for JJ/WBGSP involves several steps and requires careful planning. Follow this step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Research Participating Programmes

Visit the official JJ/WBGSP website and review the complete list of 41 participating master’s programmes. Identify programmes that align with your career goals, academic background, and development interests. Note their application deadlines and requirements.

Step 2: Prepare for University Admission

Gather all documents required for admission to your chosen participating programmes (transcripts, test scores, references, etc.). Prepare strong application materials including your statement of purpose and CV tailored to each programme.

Step 3: Apply to Participating Universities

Submit applications for admission to at least one (ideally multiple) participating programmes. Apply early, as you must receive unconditional admission before the JJ/WBGSP scholarship deadline. Some universities have early deadlines, so plan accordingly.

Step 4: Receive Unconditional Admission

Wait for admission decisions from the participating programmes. You need at least one unconditional offer of admission (except for funding) by the scholarship application deadline. “Unconditional” means you meet all academic requirements and only lack funding.

Step 5: Get Shortlisted by the University

Once admitted, the participating university will review your profile and determine if you’re eligible for JJ/WBGSP consideration. Only shortlisted candidates receive the link to the scholarship application form.

Step 6: Receive JJ/WBGSP Application Link

If shortlisted by the participating university, you will receive communication with the link to the official JJ/WBGSP application form. This link is not publicly available and only sent to eligible candidates.

Step 7: Complete the Online Scholarship Application

Access the JJ/WBGSP online application portal using the link provided by your participating university. Complete all sections of the application form accurately and thoroughly.

Step 8: Upload Required Documents

Upload all required documents in the specified format. This includes your admission letter, employment verification, academic credentials, passport copy, and any other requested materials. Ensure all documents are clear, legible, and properly labelled.

Step 9: Submit Your Application

Review your entire application carefully before submission. Check for errors, missing information, or incomplete sections. Once satisfied, submit your application before the deadline for your application window.

Step 10: Track Your Application After submission, you should receive confirmation. Keep this for your records. Note any reference number or application ID provided.

Step 11: Wait for Selection Results

The JJ/WBGSP selection committee will review applications and notify successful candidates.

Step 12: Accept Your Scholarship (If Selected)

If offered a scholarship, follow the instructions provided to formally accept the award. Complete any additional paperwork required by the World Bank and your host university.

Important Reminders:

• There are two application windows depending on your chosen programme. Check which window applies to your programme.
• You must be admitted to the university before applying for the scholarship
• Start your university applications early (6-12 months before programme start)
• Only apply to the JJ/WBGSP participating programmes listed on the official website

Important Dates

Note: The specific window that applies to you depends on which participating programme you’ve been admitted to. Check with your chosen university to confirm which application deadline applies.

Scholarship Application Deadline

Window 1 Deadline: 27 February 2026
Window 2 Deadline: 29 May 2026

⚠️ Important Warning: Applications submitted after these deadlines will NOT be accepted under any circumstances. The scholarship programme operates on a strict timeline, and late applications cannot be accommodated. Plan ahead to ensure you submit your application well before the deadline.

Remember: You must receive unconditional admission to a participating programme before the scholarship deadline. Since university admission processes can take several months, start your university applications 6-12 months before the scholarship deadline.

How Winners Are Chosen

Beyond meeting the basic eligibility requirements, the JJ/WBGSP selection committee evaluates candidates based on several key criteria:

1. Academic Excellence: Your academic record demonstrates strong performance, critical thinking abilities, and preparedness for graduate-level study. While you don’t need perfect grades, a solid academic foundation is essential.
2. Professional Achievement and Impact: The quality and relevance of your development-related work experience matters significantly. The committee looks for candidates who have made tangible contributions to development initiatives, demonstrated increasing responsibility, and shown commitment to addressing development challenges in their communities or countries.
3. Leadership Potential: Evidence of leadership qualities, whether formal (management positions) or informal (initiative-taking, mentoring, community mobilisation). The programme seeks individuals who will become development leaders in their home countries.
4. Commitment to Development: A clear, demonstrated commitment to development work through your career choices, volunteer activities, and future plans. The committee wants to see genuine passion for creating positive change, not just credential-building.
5. Career Plan and Programme Relevance: A well-articulated plan showing how the master’s degree fits into your career trajectory and will enhance your ability to contribute to your country’s development. The committee assesses whether the chosen programme aligns logically with your background and goals.
6. Likelihood of Returning Home: Strong indicators that you will return to your home country after completing your degree to apply your knowledge and skills. The scholarship aims to build capacity in developing countries, not facilitate brain drain.
7. Communication and Presentation Skills: Your ability to articulate your experiences, goals, and ideas clearly and compellingly in your application materials and (if applicable) interviews.
8. Diversity and Representation: The programme values diversity and seeks to support candidates from various backgrounds, including those from fragile and conflict-affected states, women in development, and individuals from underrepresented fields or regions.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

1. Start Your University Applications Early: The most critical tip: begin researching and applying to participating programmes 8-12 months before the scholarship deadline. You cannot apply for the scholarship until you have admission, and university admission processes are lengthy. Missing the scholarship deadline because you applied to universities too late is the most common mistake.

2. Apply to Multiple Participating Programmes: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to 3-5 participating programmes to increase your chances of receiving admission. Each programme has different acceptance rates and fit criteria. More admissions mean more opportunities to secure the scholarship.

3. Carefully Document Your Development Work Experience: The 3-year development work requirement is strictly enforced. Ensure you have proper documentation from employers clearly showing your roles involved development-related activities. If your job title doesn’t obviously indicate development work, provide detailed descriptions of your responsibilities. Keep records of all employment letters and contracts.

4. Tailor Your Application to Development Goals: Throughout your application, consistently emphasise your commitment to development work and your plans to contribute to your country’s development after graduation. The scholarship exists to build development capacity in the Global South, so demonstrate you’re committed to this mission rather than just seeking an overseas degree.

5. Check Your Citizenship Status Carefully: If you hold or have ever held citizenship in a developed country, you are ineligible even if you’re primarily a national of a developing country. This includes citizenship by birth, naturalisation, or ancestry. Be honest about this, as false declarations will disqualify you and potentially lead to scholarship cancellation even after award.

6. Understand the Timeline for Each Participating Programme: Different participating universities have different academic calendars and admission cycles. Some may require Window 1 applications (February deadline) whilst others use Window 2 (May deadline). Confirm which window applies to your chosen programme and plan accordingly. This information should be available from the participating university.

7. Prepare a Strong Career Development Narrative: Your application should tell a coherent story: your academic foundation, your development work experience, how the master’s degree fits your progression, and your specific plans for applying your education back home. Avoid vague statements like “I want to help my country” and instead provide specific examples of challenges you want to address and how your enhanced skills will enable you to do so.

8. Network with JJ/WBGSP Alumni If Possible: If you know anyone who has received this scholarship, reach out for advice. Alumni can provide invaluable insights about the application process, what the selection committee values, and what life is like as a JJ/WBGSP scholar. Some participating universities may also have alumni networks you can tap into.

9. Address Any Potential Weaknesses Proactively: If you have any aspects of your application that might raise questions (employment gaps, lower grades in certain periods, changing career directions), address them proactively with honest, brief explanations. Don’t ignore potential concerns; instead, demonstrate growth and learning from challenges.

10. Keep Copies of Everything: Maintain organised digital and physical files of all your application materials, correspondence with universities, and supporting documents. You’ll need to reference these materials multiple times throughout the process, and having everything systematically organised will save you significant stress and time.

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