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Scholarship · Fully funded

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2027 - Developing Country Nationals

World Bank Scholarships Program (Development Economics Vice Presidency), funded by the Government of Japan

Fully funded master's scholarship for mid-career professionals from eligible developing countries to study development-related degrees at participating universities.

Award
Tuition, basic medical insurance, monthly living stipend, economy round-trip airfare, and US$600 travel allowance per trip
Who can apply
Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, Europe, Oceania
Where
Participating universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan
Deadline
26 Feb

About the programme

The JJ/WBGSP offers scholarships for master's study in development-related fields at 44 participating master's programmes in 24 universities across the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan. It is open to citizens of listed developing countries with relevant professional experience. Applications run in two windows for 2027: Window 1 (18 January to 26 February 2027) and Window 2 (29 March to 21 May 2027). Applicants must first be admitted to a participating programme; the application link is sent only to shortlisted candidates.

Duration: Duration of the graduate programme or two years, whichever is less

Eligibility

  • Citizen of a World Bank member developing country on the eligible list
  • Not holding dual citizenship of any developed country
  • Good health
  • Bachelor's (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline
  • At least 3 years of paid development-related employment since the bachelor's degree, acquired within the past 6 years of the deadline; currently in paid full-time development work
  • Admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to a JJ/WBGSP participating master's programme outside country of citizenship and residence by the deadline, with admission letter uploaded
  • Shortlisted as eligible by the participating university before receiving the application link
  • Not a World Bank Executive Director, alternate, staff member, or close relative of these
  • Not previously offered and declined, or previously awarded and did not graduate, a JJ/WBGSP scholarship
  • Sign in to check these against your background.

What they look for

  • Commitment to return home after the degree to contribute to national development

Needs your university. Applicant must be admitted to a participating master's programme and shortlisted as eligible by that university before the application form is issued.

What you will need

  • Letter of admission (unconditional, except for funding)
  • Application form (link sent only to shortlisted candidates)

How to apply

  1. Confirm admission to a participating programme and contact the university to check eligibility
  2. University shortlists eligible applicants and sends the application form link
  3. Two assessors score each application 1-10 on professional experience (30%), professional recommendations (30%), home-country commitment (30%) and education (10%)
  4. Secretariat selects finalists considering geographic and gender distribution, hardship and financial need
  5. Steering Committee approves finalists; winners notified

Applications are submitted on World Bank Scholarships Program (Development Economics Vice Presidency), funded by the Government of Japan’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.

From people who applied

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Source and verification

Last checked
13 Nov 2026, read automatically from the official page

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