If you are a development professional from a developing country driven to make a difference, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP) 2026 is an opportunity you must explore.
This prestigious program offers fully funded scholarships for 52 participating Master’s programs at universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. The curriculum focuses on critical development areas such as economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management.
The goal is simple but powerful: to empower scholars to return to their home countries and apply their new skills to drive social and economic change.
Scholarship Details at a Glance
- Host Regions: USA, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Japan
- Participating Programs: 52 Specialized Master's Degrees
- Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
- Application Window #1: Jan 15 – Feb 27, 2026
- Application Window #2: Mar 30 – May 29, 2026
Comprehensive Financial Benefits
The JJWBGSP provides a robust financial package designed to ensure scholars can focus entirely on their studies without financial stress. Benefits cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Tuition & Medical: Full coverage of graduate program tuition and basic medical insurance.
- Monthly Subsistence: A monthly allowance to cover living expenses, including accommodation, food, and books. (Note: The amount varies depending on the host country).
- Travel Support:
- Economy class air travel between your home country and the host university (at the start and end of the program).
- $500 Travel Allowance per trip to assist with transit expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the 2026 intake, applicants must meet strict criteria set by the World Bank.
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen of a World Bank member developing country.
- Restriction: You cannot hold dual citizenship with any developed country.
- Health: You must be in good health.
- Education: You must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) earned at least 3 years prior to the application deadline.
- Work Experience: You must have at least 3 years of paid development-related work experience acquired after your Bachelor's degree.
- Current Employment: At the time of application, you must be employed in a paid, full-time development work position.
Application Windows
To accommodate different university schedules, the application process is divided into two distinct windows.
- Window #1: January 15, 2026 – February 27, 2026
- Window #2: March 30, 2026 – May 29, 2026
How to Apply
The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps to ensure your submission is successful:
- Choose a Program: Review the list of 52 participating Master's programs and select the one that aligns with your development career goals.
- Apply to the University: You must apply to one of the participating university programs and seek unconditional acceptance.
- Submit Scholarship Application: Once you have your university application details or acceptance letter (depending on the window requirements), complete the online JJWBGSP application.
- Upload Documents: Ensure all required documents, including professional and academic references, are uploaded before the deadline.