The Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship 2027 is one of the best opportunities available for international students from developing countries to pursue master’s studies in development-related fields. This scholarship provides fully funded master’s degree opportunities at participating universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan. The JJ/WBGSP Scholarship covers full tuition fee, monthly subsistence allowance, economy class air travel, travel allowance and basic medical insurance. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, also known as JJ/WBGSP, is funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank. The program supports students from developing countries who have relevant professional experience and a strong commitment to their country’s development.
This scholarship is designed for applicants who want to pursue a master’s degree in a development-related field. After completing the program, scholars are expected to return to their home countries and use their new skills to contribute to social and economic development.
JJ/WBGSP offers scholarships for 44 Participating Master’s Programs at 24 universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan. These programs focus on key development areas such as economic policy management, tax policy, infrastructure management and other development-related fields.
Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s
- Institution: World Bank and Government of Japan
- Study Destination: U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan
- Program Duration: Duration of the graduate program or 2 years, whichever is less
- Number of Participating Programs: 44 master’s programs
- Participating Universities: 24 universities
- Opportunity Focus Areas:
- Economic Policy Management
- Tax Policy
- Infrastructure Management
- Development Policy
- Public Policy
- Other development-related fields
Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Deadline
The official application windows for the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship are:
- Application Window 1: January 15, 2026 to February 27, 2026 at 12:00 noon Washington time
- Application Window 2: March 25, 2026 to May 23, 2026 at 12:00 noon Washington time
Applicants should always check the official website for the latest application cycle and exact deadline before applying.
Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Coverage
Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international students. It provides the following benefits:
- Full tuition fee for the graduate program
- Cost of basic medical insurance obtained through the university
- Economy class air travel between the scholar’s home country and the host university at the beginning of the study program
- Economy class air travel from the host university to the scholar’s home country immediately after the end of the scholarship period
- US$600 travel allowance for each trip
- Monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses, accommodation, food and books
Please note that the monthly allowance amount varies depending on the host country. All JJ/WBGSP scholarships cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.
What JJ/WBGSP Does Not Cover
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program does not cover:
- Visa application costs
- Expenses to bring or support family members
- Extra-curricular courses or training
- Courses that do not meet the minimum credits required to earn the graduate degree
- Language training not provided by the graduate program
- Additional travel during the study program
- Expenses related to research
- Supplementary educational materials
- Field trips
- Participation in workshops or seminars
- Internships
- Educational equipment such as computers
- Resident permit fee
Eligibility Criteria for the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship
To qualify for this scholarship, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Applicants must be nationals of a World Bank member developing country.
- Applicants must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
- Applicants must be in good health.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline.
- Applicants must have at least 3 years of recent development-related work experience after earning a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- Applicants must be employed in development-related work in a paid full-time position at the time of submitting the scholarship application.
- Applicants must be admitted unconditionally, except for funding, to at least one JJ/WBGSP participating master’s program.
- The master’s program must be outside the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence.
- Applicants must upload the letter of admission before submitting the scholarship application.
- Applicants must not be an Executive Director, Alternate Executive Director, staff member or consultant of the World Bank Group.
- Applicants must not be a close relative of an Executive Director, Alternate Executive Director, staff member or consultant of the World Bank Group.
The exception to the paid full-time employment requirement may apply to nationals from countries listed as Fragile and Conflict States in the application guidelines.
Required Documents for the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship
Applicants may be required to submit the following documents:
- Completed online scholarship application
- Proof of nationality
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent qualification
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae or resume
- Proof of development-related work experience
- Proof of current paid full-time employment in development-related work
- Unconditional admission letter from a JJ/WBGSP participating master’s program
- Statement of purpose or motivation statement
- Recommendation letters, if required
- Any additional documents required in the official application guidelines
Applicants should prepare all documents carefully before submitting the online scholarship application.
How to Apply for the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship?
Please follow the application instructions below to apply for this scholarship:
- Check the list of JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs.
- Choose the master’s program that matches your academic background and professional development goals.
- Apply directly for admission to one or more participating master’s programs.
- Contact the university directly for questions about admission requirements and the university application process.
- Receive unconditional admission, except for funding, from at least one participating master’s program.
- Create an account on the official JJ/WBGSP online application system.
- Complete the online scholarship application form carefully.
- Upload the required documents, including your admission letter.
- Review your application before submission.
- Submit the application before the official deadline.
- Wait for the selection result from the Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program.
Website
To know more about the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship, please visit the official website:
