Round 2: Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Program Overview

The applications are now open for Round 2 of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2026. This is a fully funded scholarship for international students to pursue a master’s degree at one of the participating universities located in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, or Japan.

Applicants must have received an unconditional admission offer from a participating master’s program to be eligible for the scholarship. The application link for the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship will be shared only with candidates who have been unconditionally admitted to one of the JJ/WBGSP participating programs.

There is no application fee for the World Bank Scholarship. Further details are provided below.

Host Countries and Degree Level

Host Countries: United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan

Degree Level: Master’s Program

Funded by: World Bank Group

Financial Benefits: Fully Funded

Deadline: 29th May 2026

Financial Benefits

The World Bank Scholarship covers round-trip economy class airfare.

Additional airfare allowance is provided.

Full tuition fees are covered for the entire duration of the program.

Comprehensive medical insurance is included.

Monthly stipend to support living expenses.

Accommodation costs are covered.

Food expenses are included in the scholarship.

Provision for books and study materials is made.

Participating Universities and Eligible Programs

The Round 2 list of participating universities is larger than the Round 1 list. Eligible programs include the following:

Australian National University - Crawford School of Public Policy: Master of Climate Change, Master of Environmental and Resource Economics, Master of Environmental Management and Development, Master of Public Policy.

Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA): Master of Public Administration, MPA in Development Practice.

Erasmus University Rotterdam - Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Rotterdam: MSc in Urban Management and Development with specializations in Urban Environment and Climate Change, and Urban Socio-Spatial Transformation.

International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), The Hague: Master’s in Development Studies.

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education: MSc in Water and Sustainable Development with tracks in Water, Food, and Energy; Water Hazards, Risks, and Climate; Water and Health; Water Resources and Ecosystem Health.

Keio University: Master’s in Taxation Policy and Management.

London School of Economics and Political Science: MSc Development Management, MSc Development Studies, MSc Global Health Policy, MSc International Social and Public Policy.

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies: Tax Course of the Public Finance Program.

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

SOAS University of London: MSc Development Economics, MSc Economics.

Stanford University: Master’s in International Policy.

Université Clermont Auvergne - FERDI: Master’s in Economic Policy Management.

University of Leeds: Master of Public Health (International), MSc Sustainable Cities, MSc Water, Sanitation and Health Engineering, MSc Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security.

University of Oxford: Blavatnik School of Government - Master of Public Policy; Department of International Development - MSc in Refugees and Forced Migration Studies; Nuffield Department of Medicine - MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine.

University of Tokyo - Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences: International Program on Agricultural Development Studies.

Yokohama National University - Institute of Urban Innovation: Infrastructure Management Program (IMP); Graduate School of International Social Sciences - Master’s Program in Public Policy and Taxation.

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality: Must be a citizen of a developing country.

Citizenship: Cannot hold dual citizenship of any developed country.

Health: Must be in good health.

Education: Must possess a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) obtained at least three years before the application deadline.

Must have received unconditional admission to a participating program by the scholarship application deadline.

Professional Experience: Must have at least 3 years of full-time, paid development-related employment within the past 6 years. Part-time work may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply for the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship 2026

Step 1: Apply to a Participating Master’s Program. This is the most important step. You must apply separately to one of the eligible universities or programs listed above. You need an unconditional admission offer (except funding). Without admission, you cannot access the scholarship application.

Step 2: Get Shortlisted by the University. After applying, the university reviews your profile. If eligible, they will nominate or shortlist you for the JJ/WBGSP. You cannot apply directly to the World Bank at this stage.

Step 3: Receive Scholarship Application Link. Only shortlisted candidates get the official application link. The link is not publicly available.