Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)

Tuition, economy round-trip airfare between your home country and the host university plus a USD 600 travel allowance per trip, basic medical insurance through the university, and a monthly subsistence allowance that varies by host country. Covers the programme length or two years, whichever is shorter.

Fields: economic policy, public policy, public health, taxation, infrastructure, climate and environment, water, development studies

Citizens of 47 listed countries

Eligible country codes: AO, BJ, BF, BI, CM, CV, CF, TD, KM, CD, CG, CI, DJ, EG, ER, SZ, ET, GM, GH, GN, GW, KE, LS, LR, LY, MG, MW, ML, MR, MA, MZ, NA, NE, NG, RW, ST, SN, SL, SO, SS, SD, TZ, TG, TN, UG, ZM, ZW

• Citizen of a country on the 2027 eligible list (47 African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Egypt), and not a dual citizen of a developed country
• Bachelor's degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline
• Working full time in paid development-related employment when you apply, with at least 3 years of such work since your bachelor's, within the last 6 years (limited local employment is considered for fragile and conflict-affected countries)
• Unconditionally admitted (except for funding) to a JJ/WBGSP Participating Program outside your country of citizenship and residence, and shortlisted by that university
• In good health, not World Bank Group staff or a close relative of staff, and not currently studying in a participating programme

For 2027, Window 1 runs from 18 January to 26 February 2027 and Window 2 from 29 March to 21 May 2027. Which window applies depends on your participating programme. University admission deadlines come earlier.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

• One online application form in English or the language of your master's programme
• Two professional recommendations from people who know your paid development work
• Proof of at least 3 years of development-related employment
• Bachelor's diploma (and most advanced graduate diploma, if any), with English translations if needed
• CV in the World Bank template (Annex 4 of the guidelines)
• Unconditional letter of admission to the participating programme

1. 1

   Step 1: Check the eligible list

   Confirm your country is on the 2027 eligible countries list and that your work history meets the 3-in-6-years rule.
2. 2

   Step 2: Get admitted first

   Apply for admission to at least one of the 44 Participating Master's Programs at 23 to 24 universities (for example LSE, Oxford, Columbia, Tokyo, IHE Delft, Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny).
3. 3

   Step 3: Get shortlisted

   The university shortlists eligible candidates and only then sends you the link to the JJ/WBGSP online application.
4. 4

   Step 4: Request recommendations early

   Submit the Recommendation Request Form before the application form so both recommenders can upload by the deadline.
5. 5

   Step 5: Submit in the right window

   Upload your unconditional admission letter and submit one complete application on a computer before the window closes.

• Scholars must return to their home country after graduation to contribute to its development
• The scholarship cannot be transferred to a different master's programme
• Scholars admitted to US universities must travel on a J-1 visa
• Finalists must provide passport identification and a medical certificate on time or lose the award

• Older guides describe 'preferred' and 'partner' programme tracks; the current 2027 official pages only use Participating Programs (split into Window 1 and Window 2), plus a few under a special application procedure
• Selection weights professional experience, recommendations and commitment to your home country at 30 percent each, and education at 10 percent
• Professors who taught you do not count as professional recommenders; pick supervisors from paid work
• Nigeria and several other African countries are on the fragile and conflict-affected list for 2027, which affects how employment is assessed
• Submit at least a week before the deadline; the Secretariat does not guarantee replies to late emails

Checked against these official pages on 16 Oct 2026.

• World Bank: JJ/WBGSP for developing country nationals (opens in a new tab)
• World Bank: 2027 Application Guidelines, Window 1 (opens in a new tab)
• World Bank: JJ/WBGSP participating programs (opens in a new tab)