2025 Fully Funded Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program.
The Fully Funded Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program stands as a beacon of opportunity for aspiring scholars from developing countries. Established through a collaboration between Japan and the World Bank, this program aims to empower individuals to pursue graduate studies in fields that are vital for the development needs of their home countries.
Central to the scholarship program is its comprehensive support, which covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel expenses, and other associated costs. By providing full funding, the program ensures that financial barriers do not hinder talented individuals from pursuing advanced education and acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to the development of their nations.
Moreover, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program offers recipients access to prestigious educational institutions and world-class faculty members. Scholars have the opportunity to study at renowned universities and research institutions in Japan, gaining exposure to cutting-edge research, innovative methodologies, and global best practices in their chosen fields of study.
Beyond academic pursuits, the scholarship program emphasizes leadership development and community engagement. Scholars participate in leadership training workshops, networking events, and community service projects, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to become agents of change in their home countries.
The Fully Funded Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program represents a collaborative effort to invest in the next generation of leaders and innovators from developing countries. By providing access to quality education and opportunities for personal and professional growth, the program empowers scholars to drive positive change and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities and nations.
The JJ/WBGSP 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 degree program in a development-related topic.
Eligibility Requirements For The Fully Funded Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program.
Details on Eligibility Criteria for each call for applications are provided in that call’s Application Guidelines, and these detailed eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made.
Broadly speaking, Developing Country nationals must:
- Be a national of a World Bank member developing country on this list;
- Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country;
- Be in good health;
- Hold a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years prior to the Application Deadline date;
- Be employed in development-related work in a paid full- time position at the time of submitting the scholarship application. Have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since earning a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) and acquired within the past 6 years from the date of the application deadline. Please see FAQs—Window 1 on how to count qualified part time employment toward this 3-year requirement. Please see Annex 2 of the Application Guidelines for a suggested list of development-related topics. The only exception to this criterion is for developing country nationals from a country that is on the list of Fragile and Conflict States featured in Annex 3 of the Application Guidelines. In such cases, we do take into consideration the limited employment opportunities in those countries.
- On or before the scholarship application deadline date, be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs located outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence listed at the time the call for scholarship applications opens. The letter of admission must be uploaded before submitting the scholarship application. For details, see “How to Apply”.
- Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of any type of appointment of the World Bank Group or 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.
- 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.
Please note: All eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made. Eligibility criteria WILL NOT change during an open call for applications. However, this information is subject to change between the close of one application process and the opening of the next.
Selection Process
The JJ/WBGSP uses the following process to review eligible scholarship applications from developing country nationals, with the aim of identifying the candidates with the highest potential, after completion of their graduate studies, to impact the development of their countries.
Two qualified assessors independently review each eligible application and score the application on a scale of 1 to 10, taking into account four main factors and the degree of cohesion among them:
- Quality of Professional Experience (30% weight)
- Quality of Professional Recommendations (30% weight)
- Quality of Commitment to your Home Country (30% weight)
- Quality of Education Background (10% weight)
The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat uses the average score of the two assessors and the following criteria to select the finalists:
- Maintaining a reasonably wide geographical distribution of awards
- Maintaining a reasonable distribution of awards across gender
- Unusual circumstances/hardships, when assessing the employment experience and other aspects of an application;
- Giving scholarships to those applicants who, other things being equal, have limited access to financial resources for graduate studies abroad.
The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat presents the list of finalists to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee (composed of members of the World Bank Board of Directors and WB management) for approval. Winners are notified soon after the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee approval.
Method of Application
To accommodate the academic calendar of JJ/WBGSP Participating Programs, the application process is organized in two rounds:
- Application Window#1
Window 1 will open from January 13 to February 28, 2025 at 12:00 noon EST - Application Window #2
Window 2 will open from March 25 to May 23, 2025 at 12:00 noon EST
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.
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