The Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship 2027 (Fully Funded)
Overview
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a fully funded scholarship for full-time Master's study, funded by Japan and the World Bank Group. It is run by the World Bank's Vice Presidency for Development Economics (DEC), whose scholarship programs since 1982 have helped build a pool of more than 6,000 trained development professionals and academics. The scholarship is only available to students admitted to one of 26 participating Master's programs, located in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan.
What you get
The scholarship pays for economy class air travel between the home country and the host university at the start and end of the scholarship period, with a US $600 travel allowance for each trip. It covers tuition and basic medical insurance obtained through the university, plus a monthly subsistence allowance for living expenses including books, which varies by host country. Funding lasts for the length of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.
It does not cover visa costs, family expenses, extra-curricular courses, language training not provided by the program, additional travel, research or field trip costs, equipment such as computers or resident permit fees. It may only supplement other funding, not duplicate it.
Who can apply
Applicants from developing countries must be nationals of a World Bank member developing country, hold no dual citizenship of a developed country, and be in good health. They need a Bachelor's or equivalent degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline and 3 or more years of recent development-related work experience after it. Eligible Master's programs relate to development, such as economic policy management, public administration, tax policy, infrastructure management, development studies, public policy, environmental policy, social development, health systems management and urban planning.
How to apply
The application form link is given only to candidates admitted unconditionally, except for financing, to a participating Master's program and shortlisted by the university as eligible. Candidates should ask the university offering the program whether they meet both conditions. The application must be done on a computer rather than a phone. Applications delivered in person, by fax, email or post, or started before the call opens, are disqualified, as are multiple applications. Applicants admitted to several participating programs must choose one to seek funding for before submitting.
Key dates
The first application window runs from January 18 to February 26, 2027. The second window runs from March 29 to May 21, 2027.