Are you a mid-career professional from a developing country who wants to get a master’s degree in a development related field? Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship for International Students 2025/2026 is for you.
Students can study at top universities around the world with full funding through the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP). For Window 2, the 2025 application cycle is open from March 25 to May 23, 2025.
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About the JJ/WBGSP
Japan and World Bank have partnered to offer the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP). It supports people from developing countries who have work experience and a track record of showing commitment to the development of their countries.
Through the program, participants can acquire the knowledge and skills to contribute to social and economic change in their home countries.
Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship for International Students 2025/2026
- Columbia University – MPA in Economic Policy Management
- Columbia University – MPA in Global Leadership
- Johns Hopkins University – Master of Public Health
- KIT – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: MS in Public Health and Health Equity
- University of California, Berkeley – Master of Development Practice
- University of Tokyo – MPP (GraSPP)
- University of Tsukuba – Master’s in Economic and Public Policy
- Williams College – MA in Policy Economics
- Yale University – Master in Systemic Risk
- Harvard Kennedy School – MPA in International Development
Participating Programs and Universities
The scholarship supports 41 master’s programs offered at 24 universities located in:
- United States
- Japan
- Europe (France, Netherlands, United Kingdom)
- Africa
- Oceania
Eligible programs focus on high-impact areas such as:
- Economic Policy Management
- Infrastructure Management
- Tax Policy
- Public Policy
- Public Administration
- Sustainable Development
You must be accepted unconditionally, without any financial restrictions, into one of these participating programs.
Scholarship Benefits
The JJ/WBGSP offers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living stipend
- Round-trip airfare between the scholar’s home country and host university
- Health insurance during the scholarship period
- Travel allowance
- Funding for books and study materials
This is to remove financial barriers and allow scholars to focus on their studies.
Application Timeline: 2025 Window 2
- Applications will only be accepted from those who have been shortlisted by participating master’s programs.
- Before applying for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, candidates must apply directly to the master’s program of their choice and get unconditional acceptance.
Check the scholarship website for the actual date.
Eligibility Criteria for Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
To be eligible for 2025 JJ/WBGSP, you must:
- be from a developing country that is a World Bank member.
- not be a dual citizen of any developed country
- have a bachelor’s degree that was obtained at least three years prior to the application deadline.
- have three years or more of recent, paid work experience in a development-related field.
- Stay healthy!
- Get unconditional admission to a master’s program that participates in JJ/WBGSP
- Not work for the World Bank Group or be a close family of someone who does
Note: These eligibility criteria are strictly enforced. No exceptions.
Selection Process
Each eligible application will be reviewed by two assessors independently based on the following criteria:
- Quality of professional experience (30%)
- Strength of professional recommendations (30%)
- Level of commitment to development (30%)
- Educational background (10%)
Other factors that will be considered are:
- Geographic balance and gender
- Hardship or exceptional life situations
- Few financial resources for studying abroad.
The JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee, composed of senior management and World Bank Board of Directors, will approve the final selections made by the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat.
Post-Scholarship Commitment
After graduate programs, JJ/WBGSP scholars must return to their home countries. To ensure that the knowledge and skills gained are applied to regional, national or local development initiatives, this return requirement was put in place.
How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship for International Students 2025/2026
- Check the list of eligible master’s programs on the JJ/WBGSP website
- Apply to the program of your choice
- Get an unconditional offer of admission
- If shortlisted, you will receive a link to complete the JJ/WBGSP scholarship application
- Submit your application no later than May 23, 2025, at 12:00 noon EST
Apply as early as possible to meet both university and scholarship deadlines.
FAQs on Fully Funded Scholarships: Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship for International Students
1. How can I increase my chances if my country has very few selected programs?
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) only partners with specific universities and programs. If your country has very few listed, your best bet is to look into programs in other eligible countries that align with your background and development goals. Choose a program that is closely related to solving problems in your home country. Be honest, passionate and specific when writing your personal statement and development plans. Also, reach out early to partner universities to understand how to strengthen your application.
2. What if I am accepted into the university but not selected for the scholarship?
Being accepted into a JJ/WBGSP partner university does not automatically mean you will get the scholarship. Many students get admitted to these programs but only a few get funded by the World Bank. If you are not selected for the scholarship, you can still attend the university but you will need to fund your studies yourself or look for other scholarships. That’s why it’s important to apply for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship and other scholarships at the same time. Always have a backup plan in case you are not awarded the funding.
3. Can working with a local community organization make my application stronger?
Yes, having experience with a local development group or non-profit can add great value to your application. The World Bank scholarship prefers applicants who are already involved in solving development issues. If you are working with a local project that helps education, health, farming or poverty in your country, be sure to explain how you contribute. Talk about the problems you are helping to solve, your role and how you want to improve these efforts with further education. Real-life, hands-on work in your country is seen as a strong sign of leadership and commitment.
4. Can I apply again if I was not selected the first time?
Yes, the JJ/WBGSP allows applicants to apply more than once. If you were not selected in the past, take time to review what might have been missing in your application. Maybe your development goals were not clearly stated, or your work experience was not strong enough. You can also ask your past recommenders to improve their letters, or choose others who know your work better. Improve your CV, gain more experience and write a more powerful motivation letter. Many past winners were only successful after their second or third try, so don’t give up.
5. How can I show that I will return to my country and not remain abroad?
One of the key points the World Bank wants to see is your strong plan to go back home after your studies. To show this, write clearly in your statement how your education will be used in your home country. Mention the specific job or project you want to work on. If you already have contacts or job offers waiting, say so. If you’ve worked with the government, NGOs or local businesses before, explain how you plan to return and continue your service. The clearer your plan, the more they will believe you will return and contribute.
Conclusion
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is a special, fully funded opportunity for those who want to help their countries grow. If you are driven to change the world and meet the eligibility criteria, this program can change your leadership and career path.
Recommended: University of Nottingham Developing Solutions Scholarship for International Students 2025/2026