Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship – Developing Countries 2024

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a great opportunity for citizens from certain developing countries who have relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts to pursue a master’s degree program in a development-related topic. The scholarship offers funding for 52 participating master’s programs in 27 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan, in key areas of development, such as economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management.

The JJ/WBGSP scholarship provides a range of benefits to its recipients, including economy-class air travel between their home country and the host university at the start and end of the study program, tuition for the graduate program, and basic medical insurance. Additionally, scholars receive a monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses while on campus, including accommodation, food, and books. It is important to note that the scholarship covers the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less, and does not cover additional expenses such as visa application fees, family support, and extra-curricular courses.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be nationals of a World Bank member developing country and hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent earned at least three years before the application deadline date. Applicants must also be employed in development-related work in a paid full-time position, with at least three years of paid development-related employment since earning a bachelor’s degree acquired within the past six years from the date of the application deadline. Furthermore, applicants must be admitted unconditionally to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs located outside of their country of citizenship and country of residence.

The selection process for the scholarship takes into account the quality of professional experience, professional recommendations, commitment to the home country, and quality of education background. The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat presents the finalists to the JJ/WBG Steering Committee for approval, with the winners notified soon after. The application deadline for the scholarship is May 24, 2024. To apply, interested applicants can visit the JJ/WBGSP website for more information and guidelines.