Quick facts

• Provider: Funded by the Government of Japan, administered by the World Bank Group
• Level: Master’s (development-related programmes only)
• What it covers: Tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance
• Programmes: 44 participating master’s programmes at 24 universities in the USA, Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan
• USA options in Application Window #2: Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (Master of Public Administration; MPA in Development Practice) and Stanford University (Master in International Policy)
• Deadline: Application Window #2 runs 29 March to 21 May 2027 (applications close 21 May 2027). Note: Application Window #1, for a separate list of programmes, runs 18 January to 26 February 2027 — this page’s headline deadline is the Window #2 date, and applicants must check which window their chosen programme falls under
• Official pages: Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program and Participating programmes — Application Window #2

About this scholarship

This is a multi-destination programme, not a USA-only award — the USA options are the participating programmes at Columbia University and Stanford University listed above, alongside programmes in Europe, Africa, Oceania and Japan.

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is open to citizens of certain developing countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts, who are applying to a master’s in a development-related topic. It is not a general scholarship — if you are not admitted to one of the 44 participating master’s programmes, you are not eligible in 2027. After earning the degree, scholars commit to return home to use their new skills and contribute to their countries’ social and economic development.

Who can apply

• Be a citizen of an eligible World Bank member developing country, and not also hold citizenship of a developed country
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) earned at least three years before the application deadline
• Have at least three years of paid development-related employment since graduating, acquired within the past six years
• Be employed full-time in development-related work at the time of application
• Be admitted unconditionally (except for financing) to a participating master’s programme located outside your home country and country of residence
• Not be World Bank Group staff, an Executive Director or alternate, or a close relative of such a person, and not have previously held a JJ/WBGSP scholarship

How to apply

1. Choose a participating programme from the official 2027 list and confirm its window. The USA options above are in Window #2.
2. Apply directly to that university and secure unconditional admission (except for financing) for the upcoming academic year.
3. The participating university shortlists eligible candidates — the JJ/WBGSP application link is only communicated to candidates who are both admitted unconditionally and shortlisted as eligible by the university. You cannot apply to the World Bank without that link, so contact the university to confirm both requirements.
4. Submit the one online JJ/WBGSP application by the window deadline: 21 May 2027 for Window #2.
5. After completing the degree, return home as required.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in the USA with this scholarship? Yes, if you choose a USA participating programme. In Window #2, these are Columbia SIPA (Master of Public Administration; MPA in Development Practice) and Stanford (Master in International Policy). Check the official list, because it differs between windows.

Do I apply to the World Bank first? No. University admission comes first — the application link is only sent to candidates who are admitted unconditionally and shortlisted as eligible by the university.

What does it cover? Tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a travel allowance, for the length of the programme or two years, whichever is less.

What if I am not admitted to a participating programme? Then you are not eligible in 2027.

Must I return home after the degree? Yes. Scholars commit to return home to use their new skills and contribute to their countries’ social and economic development.

Related scholarships

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• Boston University Presidential Scholarship
• P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
• Rotary Peace Fellowship (master’s track)

Last verified: 27 October 2026. Deadlines must be re-checked on the official World Bank pages before applying.