The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2026

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) offers scholarships to professionals with relevant experience seeking a master’s degree in the development field. The program covers many costs associated with studying abroad.

In return, recipients are required to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: 15 May 2026
2. Value: Fully Funded (tuition, living stipend, flights, insurance, travel allowance)
3. Study Level: Master’s
4. Host Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam
5. Sponsor: World Bank
6. Eligible Countries: World Bank member developing countries

Eligibility Criteria for The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2026

The JJ/WBGSP opens a call period for each year. Each call includes specific eligibility guidelines; therefore, applicants should carefully review the criteriaOpens external before applying. In general, applicants must:

1. Be a national of a World Bank member developing countryOpens external
2. Not hold dual citizenship with a developed country
3. Be in good health
4. Hold a bachelor’s degree obtained at least three years prior to the application deadline
5. Be employed in a full-time, paid, development-related position at the time of applying
6. Have at least three years of paid, development-related work experience post-bachelor’s degree, acquired within the last six years (part-time work may also count, as specified in the FAQs)
7. Have an acceptance letter for the ISS MA in Development Studies programme.

Please note that the Mundus MAPP programme is not eligible for this scholarship programme.

For detailed eligibility criteria, consult the FAQsOpens external provided on the official World Bank website.

Benefits of The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2026

The JJ/WBGSP scholarship covers:

1. Tuition fees
2. Airfare
3. Health insurance
4. A monthly allowance for living expenses
5. Travel allowance

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria before proceeding with your application.

Step 2: Apply for academic admission by 1 March 2026

To qualify for the scholarship, you must secure an unconditional admission to the MA in Development Studies. Please apply before 1 March via our application page.

Step 3: Await further instructions from ISS Admissions Office

ISS is allowed to nominate 30 candidates. If you are from an eligible country, you will be contacted by the ISS Admission Office with the questions whether you want to be considered for the JJ/WBGSP shortlist. The ISS Admissions Office will provide instructions for completing the scholarship application.

Step 4: Complete and submit the JJ/WBGSP scholarship application online.

Important:

All required documents must be submitted via the online application portal. Submissions through email or post will not be accepted.

Applicants can only apply for one master’s programme when applying for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship. Submitting multiple scholarship applications will result in disqualification.

For more details on eligibility and application guidelines, please visit the official World BankOpens external website.

Application Deadline

March 1, 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2026