The Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a prestigious fully-funded scholarship designed for individuals from developing countries who wish to pursue a master’s degree in fields related to development. With a focus on fostering global development, this program provides the financial support needed for talented professionals to advance their education and contribute to their communities.
If you’re passionate about making a difference in your home country and are seeking financial assistance to pursue higher education, the JJ/WBGSP could be the perfect opportunity for you. In this blog post, we will cover the key eligibility criteria, application process, and important details of the program to guide you in applying for this life-changing scholarship.
Scholarship Benefits
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program offers several comprehensive benefits to support students throughout their studies. Some of the key benefits include:
- Full Tuition Coverage: The scholarship covers the full tuition fees for the chosen master’s program, relieving students of financial stress related to their education.
- Travel Costs: Students are provided with a round-trip airfare to and from the host country, allowing them to travel to their university and return home after completing their studies.
- Monthly Living Allowance: The scholarship includes a monthly stipend to cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, and transportation, ensuring that students can focus on their academic work.
- Health Insurance: Participants receive health insurance throughout their studies, covering medical costs during their stay in the host country.
- Opportunities for Networking: As a recipient of the JJ/WBGSP, you will have access to an extensive network of professionals, alumni, and experts from around the world, providing valuable opportunities for future collaboration and career development.
- Support for Career Development: The program encourages scholars to apply their education in development projects within their home countries, helping them develop leadership skills that contribute to their nation’s growth.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Citizenship: Applicants must be nationals of World Bank member countries that are eligible for the scholarship. A full list of eligible countries can be found on the official program website.
- Academic Qualifications:
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a relevant field.
- The degree should have been completed before the application deadline.
- Work Experience:
- Applicants must have at least three years of paid, relevant professional experience in a development-related field.
- The work experience should be in a field that contributes to the development of the applicant’s home country.
- Admission to a Program:
- Applicants must be accepted into a master’s program at one of the participating universities before applying for the scholarship.
- The program must be a full-time master’s program in a development-related field.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be under the age of 45 at the time of application.
- Professional Development Focus: Applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to returning to their home country after completing their studies to contribute to its development.
- English Proficiency: Applicants must meet the language proficiency requirements of the chosen university.
Eligible Countries
To be eligible for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, applicants must be citizens of one or more of the following countries:
Africa:
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Asia:
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen.
Europe:
Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, and Malta.
North America and the Caribbean:
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
South America:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Oceania:
Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Participating/Eligible Universities
Australia:
In Australia, the eligible institution is the Australian National University — Crawford School of Public Policy.
United States:
In the United States, the participating universities are Brandeis University — The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Columbia University — School of International and Public Affairs, Harvard University — Kennedy School of Government, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University — Bloomberg School of Public Health, University of California-Berkeley — Goldman School of Public Policy, Williams College — Center for Development Economics, and Yale University — School of Management.
United Kingdom:
In the United Kingdom, the eligible institutions include the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, SOAS University of London, University of Oxford, and University of Leeds.
Netherlands:
The Netherlands is represented by Erasmus University (which hosts the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies and International Institute of Social Studies), KIT (Royal Tropical Institute) in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.
Japan:
In Japan, the participating institutions are Keio University, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Saitama University, University of Tokyo, Yokohama National University, and University of Tsukuba.
France:
Finally, in France, the eligible institution is Université Clermont-Auvergne — FERDI.
Each of these institutions offers specialized master’s programs in development-related fields, making them ideal hosts for scholars aiming to advance sustainable development in their home countries through the JJ/WBGSP.
Eligible Programs
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship is available for applicants who have been admitted to one of the eligible master’s degree programs in development-related fields. These programs include Economics (such as Development Economics, Financial Economics, and Econometrics), Public Administration, Public Policy, International Relations, Environmental Science and Policy, Agricultural Economics, Education and Development, Social Work and Development, Law and Development, Health and Development, Urban and Regional Planning, Management and Development (with a focus on managing development projects), Infrastructure and Development, and Business Administration (with an emphasis on development).
Application Process
To apply for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), follow these steps to ensure a smooth application process:
- Step 1: Review the Eligibility Criteria
Before starting your application, carefully review the eligibility criteria to ensure you meet all the requirements. Only eligible candidates will be considered for the scholarship. - Step 2: Obtain Admission to a Participating University
You must be admitted to a participating university before you can apply for the scholarship. The program only supports full-time master’s programs in a development-related field at designated universities. Ensure you meet the admission requirements of your chosen institution. - Step 3: Complete the Online Application
The JJ/WBGSP application process is entirely online. Go to the official scholarship website and create an account. Fill in the application form with your personal details, educational background, and professional experience. Be sure to provide all the required information, as incomplete applications may be disqualified. - Step 4: Submit Your Application
After reviewing your application and ensuring all information is accurate, submit your completed application online. Ensure that you submit it before the specified deadline to avoid disqualification.
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Required Documents
When applying for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), you will need to provide the following documents as part of your application:
- Admission Letter: A copy of the official admission letter from a participating university for a master’s degree program in a development-related field.
- Passport or National ID: A valid copy of your passport or national ID card to verify your identity and citizenship.
- Academic Transcripts: Official academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended, showcasing your academic performance and qualifications.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): An up-to-date CV highlighting your educational background, work experience, skills, and any relevant achievements.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two professional references (usually from academic or work-related supervisors) who can speak to your qualifications and potential for success in a graduate program.
- Statement of Purpose: A written essay explaining why you are applying for the scholarship, your academic and career goals, and how the program aligns with your professional aspirations.
- Proof of Language Proficiency: Depending on the language of instruction at your chosen university, you may need to submit proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL or IELTS scores) or proficiency in the required language.
- Supporting Documents for Employment and Experience: Any documents verifying your work experience, especially if it’s related to development or the field you are planning to study.
Selection Process
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) follows a thorough and competitive selection process to identify deserving candidates for the scholarship. Below are the key stages of the process:
- Initial Screening: Once your application is submitted, the World Bank and partner universities will conduct an initial screening to verify that you meet all the eligibility criteria and have provided all necessary documentation. Incomplete applications or applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Review by Participating Universities: After initial screening, applications will be reviewed by the selected universities offering the eligible master’s programs. The universities will assess the academic qualifications, professional experience, and the alignment of your career goals with the development objectives of the scholarship.
- Shortlisting of Candidates: Based on the review, a shortlist of candidates will be created. This shortlist will be determined by factors such as academic performance, professional experience, motivation, and the relevance of the applicant’s field of study to development work.
- Interview Process: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview, which can be conducted virtually or in-person. The interview will further evaluate your potential for success in the program, your communication skills, and how well your personal goals align with the objectives of the scholarship.
- Final Selection: After the interview process (if applicable), a final selection committee will review all applications and interview results. The selected candidates will be notified and invited to receive the scholarship.
- Announcement of Results: The final list of selected scholars will be published, and successful candidates will be notified via email. Instructions on the next steps, including finalizing the admission and scholarship agreement, will be provided.
Scholarship Duration
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) provides full funding for the duration of the master’s program, which typically lasts 2 years.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) for 2025 is May 23, 2025, at 12:00 noon EST.
