Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2026

If you are seeking a fully-funded master’s scholarship for 2026, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) may be exactly what you’re looking for. This scholarship supports mid-career professionals from eligible developing countries who aim to pursue a master’s degree in development-related fields and later contribute to their home country’s development. Applications open January 15, and here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location / Host institutions: 44 master’s programmes at 24 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan (See list below)

• Study level: Master’s degree only (no undergraduate, PhD, or short courses).

• Target group: Nationals of eligible developing countries (not holding dual citizenship with a developed country), with relevant development-related work experience.

• Fields of Focus: Development-related topics including, but not limited to: economic policy management, public policy, tax policy, infrastructure management, development studies, environmental and sustainable development, health systems, urban planning, social development.

• Coverage: Fully funded — tuition, monthly living stipend (covering accommodation, food, books, living expenses), round-trip economy airfare + travel allowance, basic medical insurance.

• Duration: For the duration of the master’s programme or up to two years (whichever is less).

• Application Window (2026 cycle):

  • Window 1: January 15 – February 27, 2026

  • Window 2: March 30 – May 29, 2026

  
  

📚 Scholarship Overview

The JJ/WBGSP is funded by the government of Japan in collaboration with the World Bank — specifically its Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC). Since its inception in 1987, the programme has supported over 7,000 mid-career professionals from around 160 developing countries.

If awarded the scholarship, you are expected — after graduation — to return to your home country and apply the acquired knowledge and skills toward social and economic development.

The application process for 2026 works via two windows. However, before you can apply for the scholarship, you must first be unconditionally admitted (except for funding) to one of the 44 participating master’s programmes. Only after confirming such admission and being shortlisted by the university can you receive the link to the JJ/WBGSP application form.

Selection of scholars is based on a scoring system by two independent assessors.

Applications are scored on:

• Quality of professional experience (30%)

• Quality of professional recommendations (30%)

• Commitment to home country development (30%)

• Educational background (10%)

Beyond scores, the selection process also seeks to ensure geographical and gender balance, and gives consideration to applicants from financially constrained backgrounds or unusual hardship circumstances.

🎁 Benefits of the Scholarship

• Full tuition coverage

• Monthly allowance covering living costs (housing, food, books, etc.)

• Health insurance via host university

• Two-way economy-class airfare + US $600 travel allowance per trip (start and end)

• Financial support designed to allow scholars to focus on studies without financial burden

❌ What is not covered: visa fees, costs for family/dependents, extra-curricular training, additional travel (other than the initial/return flights), research materials, personal equipment (e.g. computers), resident permit fees.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply (as a developing country national), you must:

• Be a national of an eligible World Bank member developing country.

• Not hold dual citizenship with a developed country. See list here

• Be in good health.

• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), obtained at least 3 years before the application deadline.

• Have at least 3 years of paid full-time employment in a development-related field since earning your bachelor’s (or equivalent), acquired within the last 6 years before the application deadline. (For applicants from countries listed as “Fragile and Conflict States,” there is some flexibility considering limited employment opportunities.)

• By application deadline, hold an unconditional admission letter (except for funding) from one of the participating master’s programmes, and the university must be located outside your country of citizenship and residence.

• Not be (or be closely related to) a staff/Executive-Director (or alternate) of the World Bank Group.

• Not have previously declined or failed to complete a JJ/WBGSP scholarship award.

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📝 How to Apply

1. Apply for admission to a master’s programme that is listed among the 44 participating programmes. Without an admission letter, you cannot proceed.

2. If admitted (unconditionally), contact the university to confirm whether you are eligible for nomination for JJ/WBGSP. Only shortlisted candidates will receive the link to the scholarship application form.

3. Complete the JJ/WBGSP online application by the deadline (depending on Window 1 or 2). Submit required documents including admission letter, transcripts, CV, proof of employment, and professional recommendation letters.

4. Two independent assessors will review your application. Final selection is then approved by the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee.

🗂️ Resources

• Application Window 1 Guidelines (PDF)

• Application Window 2 Guidelines (PDF)

🏫 Participating Universities & Offered Study Programmes (2026)

Below is a selection — not exhaustive — of participating universities and some of their master’s programmes eligible under JJ/WBGSP 2026: A full List of participating in and programmes can be accessed here

• Australian National University (Crawford School of Public Policy)

  • Master of Climate Change

  • Master of Environmental and Resource Economics

  • Master of Environmental Management and Development

  • Master of Public Policy

• Brandeis University — Heller School for Social Policy and Management

  • MA in Global Sustainability Policy and Management

  • Master in Global Health Policy and Management

  • Master of Public Policy

• Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

  • MPA in Economic Policy Management

  • MPA in Global Leadership

  • MPA in Development Practice

  • Master of Public Administration

• Erasmus University Rotterdam / Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS — Rotterdam)

  • MSc in Urban Management and Development (with tracks such as Urban Digital Transformation & Innovation; Urban Housing & Land Justice; Urban Environment, Sustainability & Climate Change; Strategic Urban Planning & Policies)

• International Institute of Social Studies (IISS — The Hague, Erasmus University)

  • Master in Development Studies

• Harvard University — Kennedy School of Government

  • Master of Public Administration in International Development

• IHE Delft Institute for Water Education

  • MSc in Water and Sustainable Development (multiple tracks: e.g. Water, Food and Energy; Water Hazards, Risks and Climate; Water and Health; Water Resources and Ecosystem Health)

• Johns Hopkins University — Bloomberg School of Public Health

  • Master of Public Health (MPH)

• Keio University (Japan)

  • Master in Taxation Policy and Management

• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam / Royal Tropical Institute (KIT)

  • MS in Public Health and Health Equity

• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

  • MSc Development Management

  • MSc Development Studies

  • MSc Global Health Policy

  • MSc International Social and Public Policy

• University of Oxford — Blavatnik School of Government & other departments

  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)

  • MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies

  • MSc in International Health & Tropical Medicine

• University of Tokyo (GraSPP & Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Science)

  • Master of Public Policy (International Program)

  • International Program on Agricultural Development Studies

• University of Tsukuba (Japan)

  • Master’s Program in Economic and Public Policy

• Williams College — Center for Development Economics

  • MA in Policy Economics

• Yale University — School of Management

  • Master’s Degree in Systemic Risk

• Yokohama National University (Japan)

  • Infrastructure Management Program (IMP) — Institute of Urban Innovation

  • Master’s Program in Public Policy and Taxation — Graduate School of International Social Sciences

(Note: This list includes many — but not all — of the 44 participating master’s programmes.)

👌🏻 Tips for Applicants

• Before applying: secure unconditional admission (except funding) to one of the participating master’s programmes.

• Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria: citizenship, bachelor’s degree timing, work experience (at least 3 years in development-related field), etc.

• Choose programmes that align with your background and aspirations — especially those with relevance to safety, infrastructure, logistics, environment, or policy (since your interest lies in safety engineering and transport/logistics).

• Prepare strong professional recommendation letters and a compelling motivation / commitment statement to show your potential contribution to your home country’s development.

• Apply early — during the first window may give some advantages, especially for popular programmes.

🔗 Official Scholarship Link

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