Your Complete Guide to the Joint Japan-World Bank Graduate Scholarships 2025.

The Joint Japan-World Bank Graduate Scholarships Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2025 is now accepting applications. This esteemed program provides fully paid scholarships to people from specific developing nations who have appropriate work experience and a dedication to the advancement of their nations. The scholarship funds master’s degree programs at internationally recognized universities in development-related subjects. You will get a thorough guide on navigating this great possibility in this post!

A snapshot of the JJ/WBGSP Scholarship

24 universities in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan are home to 41 participating master’s programs.
Level of Study: Master’s.
Academic Subjects: Development-related subjects
Finances: Completely sponsored. Full tuition, a living stipend each month, and additional benefits.
The length of the graduate program or two years, whichever is shorter, is the duration.
Applicants must be citizens of poor nations that are World Bank members, have appropriate work experience, and have a track record of aiding their nations’ development initiatives.
Application Deadlines:
Window 1: 12:00 PM EST on January 13–February 28, 2025.
Window 2: 12:00 PM EST on March 25–May 23, 2025.

Scholarship Overview

The Joint Japan-World Bank Graduate Scholarships are intended to assist professionals from developing nations who are in the middle of their careers and are pursuing master’s degrees in disciplines related to development. The program’s goal is to improve the knowledge and abilities of people who are dedicated to advancing the social and economic advancement of their native nations.

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Participating Universities and Programs

A number of notable universities that provide specialized master’s degrees work with the JJ/WBGSP. A list of cooperating universities and the study programs they offer is shown below:

First Window : January 13, 2025–February 28, 2025

1. Columbia University — School of International and Public Affairs: MPA in Economic Policy Management.

2. Columbia University — School of International and Public Affairs: MPA in Global Leadership.

3. Johns Hopkins University — Bloomberg School of Public Health: Master of Public Health.

4. KIT (Royal Tropical Institute) — Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: MS in Public Health and Health Equity.

5. University of California-Berkeley — Goldman School of Public Policy: Master of Development Practice

6. University of Tokyo Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP): Master of Public Policy, International Program.

7. University of Tsukuba: Master’s Program in Economic and Public Policy.

8. Williams College — Center for Development Economics: Master of Art in Policy Economics.

9. Yale University — School of Management: Master in Systemic Risk.

For detailed Information about each programme, refer to this official webpage

Second window (March 25–May 23, 2025)

1. Australian National University — Crawford School of Public Policy

Climate Change Master
Environmental and Resource Economics Master’s degree
Environmental Management and Development Master’s degree
Public Policy Master’s degree

2. Brandeis University — The Heller School for Social Policy and Management

Master of Arts in Policy and Management for Global Sustainability
Master’s degree in global health management and policy

3. Columbia University — School of International and Public Affairs

Master of Public Administration
MPA in Development Practice

4. Erasmus University:

Master of Science in Urban Development and Management
Urban Innovation and Digital Transformation: Urban Governance and Economics
Land justice and urban housing: fair access to sustainable land, housing, and services
Integrated Land, Water, and Air Management in the Urban Environment, Sustainability, and Climate Change.
Managing Socio-Spatial Dynamics for Sustainable Cities through Strategic Urban Planning and Policies.
Development Studies Master’s degree

5. Harvard University — Kennedy School of Government: Master of Public Administration in International Development

6. IHE Delft Institute for Water Education:

Master of Science in Sustainable Development and Water:
Track of Food, Water, and Energy.
Water Risks, Hazards, and Climate Monitoring.
Track of Water and Health.
Ecosystem Health and Water Resources Track.

7. Keio University: Master in Taxation Policy and Management

8. London School of Economics and Political Science:

Master of Science in Development Management
Master of Science in Development Studies
Master of Science in Global Health Policy
International Social and Public Policy Master’s degree.

9. National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS):Public Finance Program’s Tax Course

10. Saitama University: International Graduate Program on Civil and Environmental Engineering

11. SOAS University of London:

MSc Development Economics
MSc Economics

12. Stanford University: Master in International Policy

13. Université Clermont-Auvergne — FERDI: Master in Economic Policy Management

14. University of Leeds:

International Master of Public Health
Master of Science in Sustainable Cities
Master of Science in Health, Sanitation, and Water Engineering
MSc Food Security and Sustainable Food Systems.

15. University of Oxford:

Master of Public Policy
MSc in Refugees and Forced Migration Studies

16. University of Tokyo: International Program on Agricultural Development Studies

17. Yokohama National University: Infrastructure Management Program (IMP)

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Prior to applying for the scholarship, candidates must get unconditional acceptance to one of the aforementioned participating schools.

For detailed Information about each programme, refer to this official webpage

Scholarship Benefits

Tuition Coverage: Your graduate program’s entire tuition.
Living Stipend: A monthly sum that varies according on the host nation to support living expenses.
Health Insurance: The university provides basic health insurance.
Air Travel: You will get a $600 travel stipend for each trip, as well as economy class airfare between your home country and the host university at the beginning and end of the program.

What’s Not Included?

The JJ/WBGSP scholarship does not cover:

Visa application(s) costs
Expenses to bring and/or support a scholar’s family members;
Extracurricular training or classes.
Programs that don’t count toward the graduate degree’s minimal credit requirements.
The graduate program does not offer language instruction.
More journeys throughout the academic program.
Costs associated with research, additional learning resources, field trips, attending seminars or workshops, or internships.
Computers and other educational tools.
Charge for a resident permit.

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Eligibility Criteria| Joint Japan-World Bank Graduate Scholarships

Be a citizen of a developing nation that is a member of the World Bank.
Non-dual citizen of any developed nation.
Stay healthy.
Possess an undergraduate degree that was obtained three years or more before the application deadline.
Possess a minimum of three years’ worth of paid experience in development-related employment that was obtained during the previous six years.
At the time of application, hold a full-time, paid job doing development-related work.
By the application deadline, you must be accepted unconditionally (apart from financial aid) into one of the participating master’s programs outside of your home and country of citizenship.
Pledge to use their newly acquired abilities and support the social and economic advancement of their home nations when they return.
Not an Executive Director, their deputy, a member of the World Bank Group’s staff in any capacity, or a close relative of any of the aforementioned.

Application Procedure For Joint Japan-World Bank Graduate Scholarships

1. Check Eligibility and Guidelines

Before Starting your application:

Check the eligibility criteria above
Carefully Read the Application Guidelines [PDF]
Check if you are a national of an eligible country (Available here)

2. Choose a Participating Programme

From the list of 41 Participating Master’s Programs from 24 universities across the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan, choose a master’s program.

3. Get Admission

Apply to the master’s program of your choice and be accepted without conditions (except from finances).
Before submitting the scholarship application, make sure you upload the admissions letter.

4. Prepare Application Documents

Gather the necessary documents:

filled-out application (The application form won’t be accessible until you’ve submitted your step 3 unconditional admission document).
Admissions letter from the selected master’s program.
Resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
Personal statement detailing your professional objectives and how the scholarship would support them.
Two letters of recommendation from people who have seen your professional work.
Diplomas and academic transcripts.
Evidence of language ability (if any).

5. Submit Application: Submit your application online through the JJ/WBGSP website before the deadline.

️ Deadlines For Joint Japan-World Bank Graduate Scholarships

First Application Window: January 13, 2025–February 28, 2025
Second Application Period: March 25–May 23, 2025

Resources (PDF)

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OFFICIAL CALL LINK: Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2025