World Bank Scholarships Program 2026 Supporting Future Development Leaders from Developing Countries The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is now open for the 2026 application cycle, offering a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for talented professionals from developing countries to pursue master’s degree studies in development-related fields at leading universities around the world. Funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank, the JJ/WBGSP aims to build a global network of development leaders committed to advancing economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in their home countries. About the JJ/WBGSP The JJ/WBGSP is designed for early- to mid-career professionals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to development work and public service. The program supports studies in key development disciplines such as: Economic policy management Tax policy Infrastructure management Public policy and governance Development economics and related fields Subject to available funding, the scholarship supports studies at 44 participating master’s programs offered by 24 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. Applicants should note that only candidates admitted to one of the 44 JJ/WBGSP Participating Master’s Programs are eligible to apply for the scholarship. 2026 Application Windows To accommodate varying academic calendars, the JJ/WBGSP application process is organized into two rounds for developing country nationals: Application Window #1 Opens: 15 January 2026 Closes: 27 February 2026 Application Window #2 Opens: 30 March 2026 Closes: 29 May 2026 The scholarship application link is only shared with candidates who: Have received unconditional admission (except for funding) to a participating master’s program; and Have been shortlisted as eligible by the participating university. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their target university directly to confirm eligibility and admission requirements. Who Is Eligible to Apply? Eligibility criteria are strictly enforced and detailed in each call’s Application Guidelines. Broadly, applicants must: Be a national of a World Bank member developing country Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country Be in good health Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) obtained at least three years before the application deadline Be currently employed full-time in development-related work Have a minimum of three years of paid development-related work experience acquired within the past six years An exception to the employment requirement applies to candidates from Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, where employment opportunities may be limited. Applicants must also: Be unconditionally admitted to a participating master’s program outside their country of citizenship and residence Not be a current or former World Bank Group staff member, Executive Director, or close relative thereof Not have previously declined a JJ/WBGSP scholarship or failed to complete the program if awarded All eligibility criteria are applied without exception. Scholarship Benefits A JJ/WBGSP award provides comprehensive financial support, including: Covered Costs Full tuition fees for the graduate program Monthly living stipend to cover accommodation, food, books, and basic expenses Round-trip economy airfare between the scholar’s home country and host university US$600 travel allowance per trip Basic medical insurance arranged through the host university Scholarships cover the entire duration of the master’s program or up to two years, whichever is shorter. Costs Not Covered Visa and residence permit fees Family support or dependents’ expenses Extra-curricular or supplementary courses Language training not included in the academic program Research expenses, field trips, internships, or workshops Educational equipment such as laptops The JJ/WBGSP may supplement, but does not duplicate, other funding sources. Selection Process Eligible applications are evaluated through a rigorous, merit-based process: Assessment Criteria Two independent assessors score each application based on: Professional experience quality (30%) Professional recommendations (30%) Commitment to home country development (30%) Educational background (10%) Final Selection Considerations Geographic and gender balance Applicants facing exceptional hardship Preference for candidates with limited access to financial resources Finalists are submitted to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee for approval, after which successful candidates are formally notified. Commitment After Graduation JJ/WBGSP scholars commit to returning to their home countries upon completion of their studies to apply their newly acquired skills toward social and economic development. This commitment is central to the program’s mission of building long-term national capacity. Why Apply? The JJ/WBGSP 2026 offers more than financial support—it provides access to world-class education, global professional networks, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to development efforts at home. For professionals dedicated to public service, policy reform, and sustainable development, the JJ/WBGSP remains one of the most prestigious and impactful scholarship programs globally. APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.