What is the World Bank and what does it do?
According to Wikipedia, the World Bank is first and foremost an international financial institution and what it does is to provide loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purposes of economic development. Based on its purpose, the World Bank is in collaboration with Japan to drive sustainable development goals (SDGs)..
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is a scholarship program funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank. This program offers financial support to mid-career professionals from developing countries seeking to pursue master’s or PhD degrees in development-related fields at universities outside of Japan.
The program aims to help build a global community of skilled professionals to contribute to economic and social development in their home countries.
Application process: How to apply for the JJ/WBGSP
Note that the link to the JJ/WBGSP application form will only be communicated to candidates admitted unconditionally (except for finance) to one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs, and shortlisted as eligible JJ/WBGSP applicants by the participating university. Potential candidates are invited to reach out to the university offering the JJ/WBGSP participating master program they are targeting to find out if they meet these two requirements.
To see the application process guideline carefully go through the information below:
2025 APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR JJ/WBGSP SCHOLARSHIP FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRY NATIONALS
ATTENTION! These Guidelines are not valid for applicants who are Japan nationals. For more information on the JJ/WBGSP application guidelines for Japan nationals, please visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/japanese-nationals
Application requirements
To have a JJ/WBGSP application reviewed, applicants must fulfill the following two requirements:
Meet Eligibility Criteria: The applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a national of an eligible World Bank member country.
- Not be a dual citizen of any developed country.
- On or after the date of the call for scholarship applications opens, not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of any type of appointment (including temporary and consultant) of the World Bank Group (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Development Association, International Finance Corporation, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and International Center for Settlements of Investment Disputes); or not be a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) earned at least three years before the date of the Application Deadline.
- Be employed in development-related work in a paid full-time position at the time of submitting the scholarship application. Have at least three years of paid development-related employment since earning a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) and acquired within the past six years from the date of the Application Deadline.
- Nationals from a fragile and/or conflict-affected country are also requested to upload proofs of their successive employments but we do take into consideration the limited employment opportunities in FCS countries listed on or before the scholarship application deadline date, have been admitted unconditionally (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP Participating Programs (window 2) and located outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence.
- Individuals who have previously been offered a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but declined it, or have previously received a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but did not graduate are not eligible to apply again.
Notes:
It is up to the applicant to determine if she/he is eligible given her/his circumstances. The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat will not make that determination for you.
Benefits
A JJ/WBGSP scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
Return Commitment
After earning their degree, developing country scholars commit to return to their home country to use their new skills and contribute to their countries’ social and economic development. That is, scholars are expected to return to their home countries and apply their enhanced knowledge and skills to their development efforts.
Joint Japan and World Bank Scholarship Program Deadline
To accommodate the academic calendar of JJ/WBGSP Participating Programs, the application process is organized in two rounds and it should be noted that the first round which was application Window#1 was opened from January 13 to February 28, 2025 at 12:00 noon EST. This obviously means it is closed but do not worry, application window #2 is available.
Application Window 2 was opened on March 25 and will close on May 23, 2025 at 12:00 noon EST
Courses
- Master of Climate Change
- Master of Environmental and Resource Economics
- Master of Environmental Management and Development
- Master of Public Policy
- Master of Arts in Global Sustainability Policy and Management
- Master in Global Health Policy and Management
- MPA in Economic Policy Management
- MPA in Global Leadership
- MPA in Development Practice
- Master of Public Administration
- Msc in Urban Management and Development
- Urban Digital Transformation & Innovation
- Governance and Economic of Cities
- Urban Housing & Land Justice: Equitable Access to Sustainable Land, Housing & Service
- Urban Environment, Sustainability & Climate Change: Integrated Management of Land, Water and Air
- Strategic Urban Planning & Policies
Call to Apply
I strongly encourage women to apply for this scholarship to create a lasting impact on future generations.
– Lydia Girsang, INDONESIA
We at Info360 wish you the best.
