Master's Scholarship•USA · Waltham

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

Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

TBA

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is funded annually by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank. Since 1987 it has helped more than 7,000 mid-career professionals from developing countries earn development-related master’s degrees. Scholars study at one of the JJ/WBGSP participating “preferred” master’s programs hosted by partner universities in the United States, the Netherlands and Japan. The goal is to build a network of skilled professionals who return to contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.

Benefits & funding

  • Full tuition for the graduate program, plus basic medical insurance obtained through the university.
  • Economy-class round-trip airfare between home country and host university, plus a US $600 travel allowance for each trip.
  • A monthly subsistence (living) allowance covering accommodation, food and books; the amount varies by host country.
  • Coverage lasts for the duration of the program or two years, whichever is less.
  • Not covered: visa costs, family support, extra or language courses, additional travel, research expenses, computers and resident-permit fees.

Eligibility

  • Be a national of a World Bank member developing country on the JJ/WBGSP eligible-country list (97 countries/economies); you must not hold dual citizenship of a developed country.
  • Hold a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline.
  • Have at least 3 years of paid, full-time, development-related work experience after the bachelor’s degree, and be employed in a paid full-time development-related job at the time of applying. (Applicants from Fragile and Conflict-affected States have more flexible requirements.)
  • Be admitted to a participating master’s program located outside your country of citizenship and residence.
  • Be in good health. Not open to World Bank staff or their close relatives.

Application process

  1. 1
    Apply directly to one or more JJ/WBGSP participating “preferred” master’s programs and secure unconditional admission (except for financing).
  2. 2
    Confirm with the university that you meet the JJ/WBGSP eligibility criteria.
  3. 3
    During the relevant application window, submit the JJ/WBGSP scholarship application using the link the participating university shares with shortlisted, eligible admitted candidates.
  4. 4
    Selected scholars are notified and enroll for the program start.

Program timeline

  1. Window 1 (partner/preferred programs)

    opens mid-January, closes late February each year — the 2026 window closed February 27, 2026.

  2. Window 2

    opens late March, closes late May each year — the 2026 window closed May 29, 2026.

  3. Program start

    varies by host university, typically the following academic year.