Established in 1987 with funding from the Government of Japan, the World Bank Joint Japan Graduate Scholarship Program has helped create an international community of highly trained professionals working in economic and social development through financing of graduate and post-graduate studies.
To date, the Program has awarded over 5000 scholarships selected from over 65,000 applicants, disbursing over US$200 million dollars in funding from the Japanese government.
The JJ/WBG Scholarship Program is quite unique among the hundreds of multilateral, bilateral and NGO funded scholarship programs offered to international students. Unlike most other well- known programs it does not focus on a specific region, group, hosting institution or country, or field of study. Except for a small funding window for Japanese citizens, the only major restrictions are: scholars from developing countries pursue abroad graduate studies in one of our partner or preferred university graduate programs, and upon graduation scholars return home to contribute to the development of their country.
The World Bank administers the Scholarship Programs through the World Bank Institute (WBI). Policy guidance for the Program is provided by a Steering Committee comprised of three Executive Directors and five managers of the Bank. A secretariat for day-to-day administration is maintained within WBI.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must meetthe following eligibility criteria:
- Be a national of a World Bank member country eligible to borrow.
- Not be a dual citizen of any developed country.
- Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, staff (including consultant) of the World Bank Group (the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Development Association, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes), relative or in-law of the aforementioned.
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) earned before 2012.
- Have at least 3 years of development-related experience since earning a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree)
- Have, by the notification of the scholarship award, been accepted unconditionally (except for funding) to enroll in the upcoming academic year in one of the JJ/WBGSPpreferred universitymasters programsthat is listed on the JJ/WBGSP website, that is located outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence.
- Be in good health, as certified by a medical doctor, with respect to the capacity to be a productive scholar for the duration of the masters program.
Offered Benefits
The scholarship is fully funded by the Government of Japan, and provides for the recipient only the following benefits:
• economy class air travel between your home country and the host university at the start of your study program and immediately following the end of the scholarship period. In addition to the two-way air travel, you will receive a US $500 travel allowance for each trip;
• tuition for your graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance usually obtained through the university. Please note that all our partner and preferred masters programs are 2 years or less and the scholarship covers the duration of the program;
• a monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses, including books, while you are studying at the preferred masters program. The amount of the allowance varies depending on the host country.
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship does not cover:
• expenses for the scholar's family;
• extra-curricular courses or training;
• language training that is not provided by the graduate program;
• additional travel during the course of the study program;
• expenses related to research, supplementary educational materials, field trips, participation in workshops/seminars, or internships; or
• educational equipment such as computers.
Note: The JJ/WBGSP scholarship may only supplement, and does not duplicate, any other source of financial support/fellowship you might have. If selected as a finalist or if you are awarded a scholarship, you must inform the J/WBGSP if you have other sources of scholarship funds. The JJ/WBGSP stipend may be withdrawn completely or partially if during the scholarship period the Program has evidence of additional sources of support.
