Are you a professional from a developing country with experience in development-related work? The 2025 Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) offers a golden opportunity for you to pursue a fully funded master’s degree abroad.
This prestigious scholarship, funded by the Government of Japan and the World Bank, provides full tuition, monthly living stipends, accommodation, and travel costs.
Read on for a complete guide on how to apply.
Scholarship Overview
Host Institutions: Selected universities in the USA, UK, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan
Study Level: Master’s Degree
Eligible Countries: All World Bank member developing countries
Scholarship Coverage:
Full tuition
Monthly living stipend
Basic medical insurance
Round-trip airfare + $500 travel allowance per trip
Deadline: May 23, 2025
Participating Universities and Programs
The JJ/WBGSP supports 52 development-focused master’s programs in areas such as economic policy, tax policy, and infrastructure management. Programs are offered at top universities across multiple continents.
Application Windows:
Window 1: January 13 – February 28, 2025 (12:00 PM EST)
Selection results: March 2025
Window 2: March 25 – May 23, 2025 (12:00 PM EST)
Selection results: June 2025
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be a citizen of a World Bank member developing country
Not hold dual citizenship with any developed country
Be in good health
Hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least 3 years prior to the deadline
Have at least 3 years of recent, paid development-related work experience
Be currently employed in a development-related full-time paid position
Scholarship Benefits
Tuition: Full coverage of graduate program fees
Travel: Round-trip economy class airfare + $500 travel allowance for each trip
Living Expenses: Monthly stipend to cover accommodations, food, and books
Medical: Basic insurance through the university
Duration: Up to two years (or program length, if shorter)
Commitment After Graduation
Recipients must return to their home country and contribute to its development using the skills acquired during their study.
How to Apply
1. Visit the official application portal during the application windows.
2. Select from the list of JJ/WBGSP participating programs.
3. Submit all required documents and complete the application form.
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Deadline: May 23, 2025
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