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International · Master’s · Fully funded

World Bank (funded by Japan)Scholarship Provider

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2027

A fully funded Master’s in development — tuition, living stipend, airfare — for mid-career professionals from developing countries.

124 days to go Open Updated 16 Oct 2026 By World Bank (funded by Japan)
Award
Fully fundedTuition + stipend + airfare
Who can apply
Developing-country nationalsIncludes India; 3 yrs work experience
Level
Master's only44 participating programs
Deadline
26 Feb 2027Window 1; Window 2: 21 May 2027
Return rule
Return home after studyDevelopment commitment

About the program

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), run by the World Bank's Development Economics Vice Presidency and funded by the Government of Japan, has since 1987 supported over 6,000 mid-career professionals from developing countries through Master's degrees in development-related fields. For 2027 there are 44 participating Master's programs at 24 universities across the US, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan.

Admission first: you must be admitted unconditionally to one of the 44 participating programs before you can apply for the scholarship. The scholarship application link is only sent to admitted, shortlisted candidates.

Eligibility

  • National of a World Bank member developing country (India included); no dual citizenship of a developed country.
  • Bachelor's degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline.
  • Employed full-time in development-related work at application, with at least 3 years of paid experience since the bachelor's, acquired within the past 6 years.
  • Admitted unconditionally to a JJ/WBGSP participating program for 2027 (outside your home country).
  • Not currently enrolled in a participating program; not World Bank Group staff or close family.

Benefits

  • Full tuition fees for the program.
  • Monthly living stipend.
  • Round-trip economy airfare between home country and host institution, plus a USD 600 travel allowance per trip.
  • Basic medical insurance through the institution.

Documents required

  1. Unconditional admission letter from a participating program
  2. Bachelor's degree certificate + transcripts
  3. Proof of employment and development-related experience
  4. Passport / national ID
  5. Medical fitness declaration

How to apply

  1. Apply to a participating Master's programCheck the 44-program list on the World Bank site and secure unconditional admission.
  2. Get shortlisted by the universityThe university nominates eligible admitted candidates to the World Bank.
  3. Complete the online JJ/WBGSP applicationOnly via the official portal — email or post submissions are not accepted. Window 1: 18 Jan – 26 Feb 2027; Window 2: 29 Mar – 21 May 2027.

FAQs

Can Indians apply?

Yes — India is a World Bank member developing country on the eligible list.

Do I apply for the scholarship before admission?

No — you need unconditional admission to a participating program first.

Are there two deadlines?

Yes — Window 1 closes 26 Feb 2027; Window 2 runs 29 Mar – 21 May 2027.

Must I return home after?

Yes — scholars commit to returning to their home country to contribute to its development.

Verified 16 Oct 2026 via buddy4study.com (26-Feb-2027 deadline; eligibility; benefits; USD 600 allowance), opportunitiesforyouth.org and ntchito.com (44 programs; two windows 18 Jan–26 Feb and 29 Mar–21 May 2027), and crawford.anu.edu.au (6,000+ alumni since 1987; Japan sole funder).

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