Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship: requirements, benefits and deadline

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), funded by the Government of Japan and run by the World Bank, pays for a development-related master’s at one of 44 participating programmes for professionals from developing countries.

Country
Partner universities worldwide
Level
Development-related master’s
Funding
Fully funded
Next deadline
Window 1: 18 January – 26 February 2027; Window 2: 29 March – 21 May 2027

Official website

What it covers

  • Tuition for your graduate programme and basic medical insurance through the university
  • A monthly subsistence allowance for living costs, which varies by host country
  • Economy air travel between your home country and the university at the start and end, plus a US$600 travel allowance for each trip

Who can apply

  • Be a national of a country on the World Bank’s 2027 eligible list, which includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria and Pakistan
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline
  • Have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since your bachelor’s, within the past 6 years, and be in paid full-time development-related work when you apply
  • Be admitted unconditionally (except for finance) to one of the 44 participating master’s programmes

Key dates

Window 1
18 January – 26 February 2027
Window 2
29 March – 21 May 2027
Application form
The link is sent only to candidates admitted to a participating programme

How to apply

  1. Check that your country is on the 2027 eligible list and that you meet the work experience rules.
  2. Apply for admission to one of the 44 participating master’s programmes.
  3. Once admitted unconditionally, apply for the scholarship in the window that matches your programme.

Open Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship listings on SeekFora

Frequently asked questions

What does the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship cover?

Tuition for your graduate programme and basic medical insurance through the university. A monthly subsistence allowance for living costs, which varies by host country. Economy air travel between your home country and the university at the start and end, plus a US$600 travel allowance for each trip.

Who can apply for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship?

Be a national of a country on the World Bank’s 2027 eligible list, which includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria and Pakistan. Hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline. Have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since your bachelor’s, within the past 6 years, and be in paid full-time development-related work when you apply. Be admitted unconditionally (except for finance) to one of the 44 participating master’s programmes.

When is the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship deadline?

Window 1: 18 January – 26 February 2027; Window 2: 29 March – 21 May 2027. Window 1: 18 January – 26 February 2027. Window 2: 29 March – 21 May 2027. Application form: The link is sent only to candidates admitted to a participating programme.

How do I apply for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship?

Check that your country is on the 2027 eligible list and that you meet the work experience rules. Apply for admission to one of the 44 participating master’s programmes. Once admitted unconditionally, apply for the scholarship in the window that matches your programme.

Sources: World Bank: Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program · World Bank: Countries eligible for the JJ/WBGSP in 2027 (checked 26 September 2026)

Compare dates across programmes in the scholarship deadlines calendar.

Other scholarship guides