World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2026 (Fully Funded 🎓)

The Joint Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a prestigious fully funded master’s scholarship for professionals and students from eligible developing countries. It supports graduate study in development-related fields at top universities in the United States, Europe, Japan, Africa and Oceania.

🌍 Scholarship Overview

(Official scholarship dates and windows from World Bank site.)

📌 Eligibility Criteria

• Be a national of a World Bank member developing country (no dual citizenship with developed country).
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree earned at least 3 years prior to deadline.
• At deadline, have at least 3 years of paid development-related work experience (verified).
• Be employed in development-related work at time of application (exceptions apply for fragile/conflict states).
• Be in good health.
• Must not be a current World Bank Group staff member or close relative of high-level staff.
• Must have unconditional admission (except for funding) to a participating program before applying.

📄 Required Documents

• Completed online scholarship application form.
• Unconditional admission letter from a participating master’s program (must be uploaded).
• Official academic transcripts & degree certificates.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Two professional recommendation letters.
• Current employment verification letter (for development work experience).
• Personal statement/motivation statement (development impact focus).
• Passport copy (proof of citizenship).
• English language test results (if required by university).

📋 Application Steps

1. Choose a Participating Program – Review the list of 44 eligible master’s programs and choose the one that fits your career goals.
2. Apply for Admission – Submit admission applications to the host university and secure an unconditional acceptance (except for funding).
3. Verify Eligibility – Confirm you meet citizenship, education and work requirements.
4. Prepare Documents – Gather reference letters, transcripts, CV, personal statement, passport and job verification.
5. Submit JJ/WBGSP Application – Upload all documents through the official World Bank scholarships portal.
6. Await Results – Selection is merit-based; results usually announced ~2–3 months after each window closes.

🏆 Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition fees at the host university.
• Monthly living allowance covering accommodation, food, books, and essentials.
• Round-trip economy airfare from home country to host university.
• USD 600 travel allowance per trip for extra travel costs.
• Basic medical insurance for the study period.
• Networking with global development professionals and alumni community.

Note: The scholarship does not cover visa application fees, family support, extra courses, language training, or research travel.

📅 Important Dates

• Window 1: January 15 – February 27, 2026.
• Window 2: March 30 – May 29, 2026.
• Final Deadline: May 29, 2026.

📞 Contact & Official Links

• Official Scholarship Website: worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/jj-wbgsp
• General Scholarships Page: worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships
• Guidelines & FAQs: Available from the official World Bank portal (downloadable PDFs).
• Email Contact: Use contact forms on the official World Bank scholarships portal.