Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2027: Fully Funded Master's for Development Professionals

What Is the JJ/WBGSP?

The JJ/WBGSP is a long-running scholarship funded by the Government of Japan and run by the World Bank. It supports mid-career professionals from developing countries who have a track record of working on their country's development.

Scholars study a development-related master's degree in areas such as economic policy, public finance, tax policy, infrastructure management, public health, water resources and the environment. For 2027 there are 44 participating master's programs at 24 universities across the USA, Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan.

When the degree is finished, scholars are expected to return home and use their skills for their country's social and economic development.

Important Dates

The 2027 cycle has two application windows. Which one you apply in depends on the master's program you're admitted to.

• Window 1: 18 January to 26 February 2027
• Window 2: 29 March to 21 May 2027

You must already have an unconditional admission letter from a participating program before you submit. Most universities have earlier admission deadlines, so the real work starts now.

Participating Universities

Here are some of the universities on the 2027 list:

• USA: Columbia, Stanford, Yale, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, Brandeis, Williams College
• UK: University of Oxford, London School of Economics, SOAS, University of Leeds
• Netherlands: Erasmus University, IHE Delft, KIT / Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• Japan: University of Tokyo, GRIPS, Keio, Tsukuba, Saitama, Yokohama National University
• Others: Australian National University, Université Clermont-Auvergne (France), Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Côte d'Ivoire)

Only specific programs at each university qualify, not every master's degree, so check the full list of participating programs on the World Bank website.

Who Can Apply?

The rules are strict, and the World Bank says plainly that no exceptions are made. You must:

• Be a citizen of a World Bank member developing country on the eligible countries list
• Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country
• Have a bachelor's degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline
• Be in paid, full-time, development-related work when you apply
• Have at least 3 years of paid development-related work experience since your bachelor's degree, gained within the last 6 years
• Be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) to at least one participating master's program outside your own country of citizenship and residence
• Be in good health
• Not be a World Bank Group staff member, Executive Director or close relative of one

People who previously declined a JJ/WBGSP scholarship, or didn't finish one, can't apply again. Applicants from fragile and conflict-affected countries may be assessed with their limited local job opportunities in mind.

There's also a separate track for Japanese nationals, with its own guidelines.

What You Get

• Full tuition for your master's program
• Round-trip economy airfare between your home country and the university, plus a US$600 travel allowance for each trip
• A monthly living stipend to cover living costs and books (the amount depends on the host country)
• Basic health insurance through the university
• Funding for the length of your program, up to a maximum of two years

Not covered: visa fees, family members' costs, extra courses beyond your degree requirements, language training, research or internship costs, and equipment such as laptops.

How Are Applicants Selected?

Each eligible application is scored separately by two assessors:

• Professional experience: 30%
• Professional recommendations: 30%
• Commitment to your home country: 30%
• Education background: 10%

The final selection also considers geographic spread, gender balance, hardship and limited access to financial resources. So your work experience, your references and your plans for back home together count for 90% of the score.

How to Apply

1. Pick a participating program from the official list that fits your field and career goals.
2. Apply for admission to that university first, following its own deadlines and requirements.
3. Get your unconditional admission letter. Ask the university whether you've been shortlisted for the JJ/WBGSP.
4. Wait for the application link. The JJ/WBGSP form is sent only to candidates who are admitted and shortlisted by their university.
5. Submit your application within your window, with your diploma(s), a CV in the required format, your admission letter, proof of your work experience and two professional recommendation letters submitted online.

Simple Tips

• Start with the university, not the scholarship. Without an admission letter from a participating program, you can't apply at all.
• Count your work experience carefully. It must be paid, full-time and development-related, and earned after your bachelor's degree.
• Choose recommenders who know your work well. Recommendations count for 30%, so a supervisor who can describe your real impact matters more than a famous name.
• Make your return plan concrete. Explain exactly what you'll do back home and how this degree helps. Commitment to your home country is another 30%.
• Check the eligible countries list before you put in any effort.
• Read the guidelines for your window, because the criteria are applied strictly.

Apply Here

📌 Official page and application guidelines: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/jj-wbgsp

📌 Participating programs: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/brief/jjwbgsp-participating-programs

📌 Eligible countries: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/brief/countries-eligible-for-jjwbgsp-scholarship

Disclaimer: World Opportunities Hub is an independent information platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the World Bank or the Government of Japan. Always confirm details on the official website before applying.

| Organization | World Bank & Government of Japan | | Region | USA, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Japan | | Deadline | 26 Feb 2027 (Window 1) / 21 May 2027 (Window 2) | | Level | Master's | | Funding | Fully funded |