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

About the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP)

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP) is offered by World Bank. Funds development-related Master's programmes at preferred universities worldwide for mid-career professionals from World Bank borrowing countries — tuition, stipend, travel and insurance. Scholarships like this are competitive and rule-bound: meeting every published eligibility criterion is what gets your application read, and missing even one usually means an automatic rejection regardless of how strong the rest of your profile is.

Use the eligibility checker on this page for a quick, personalised read of whether you qualify before you invest hours in the application — then confirm the fine print on the official source, since awarding bodies revise criteria and amounts between cycles.

What the scholarship covers

This award typically covers: Full tuition; Monthly living stipend; Round-trip economy airfare; Health insurance and travel allowance. Read the value carefully — "full" funding can still leave gaps (visa fees, travel, or a partner/family), while a partial award may need topping up from savings or part-time work to satisfy a visa's proof-of-funds rule.

Who is eligible

The main requirements are strict gates rather than guidelines: Only nationals of eligible borrowing countries can apply; A completed first degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) is required; At least three years of relevant professional experience is required; An admission letter from a preferred/participating programme is required before applying. Check each against your own situation honestly before applying — the checker on this page does exactly this and flags where you may fall short.

Deadlines and how to apply well

Key dates: 2027 windows — typically Jan–Feb and Mar–May 2027 — 2027-02-28. Always confirm the exact deadline on the official source, as cycles shift year to year and some awards close early once funds are committed.

Strong applications are specific and evidenced: tie your goals to what the scholarship is actually for, supply every requested document in the right format, and give referees plenty of notice. A late or incomplete submission is the most avoidable reason good candidates miss out.