To all aspiring students who want to pursue their graduate studies at the world’s leading institutes with all expenses covered, today at Opportunities Radar, we have an exciting opportunity for you. The World Bank Group, through its official portal, has announced the call for applications for the 2nd Round of its flagship “Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Program 2026” and invites applications from citizens of certain eligible developing countries with relevant professional work experience to apply for a chance to earn their master’s degree at top institutions.
This prestigious, fully funded scholarship for international students is funded by the government of Japan and managed by the World Bank Group. It provides an opportunity for students from developing countries to pursue full-time master’s degree programs in development-related fields at leading institutions in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan. Currently, 24 universities are participating in this scholarship, offering a total of 44 master’s degree programs in key development areas such as tax policy, economic policy management, and infrastructure management.
To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in one of the 44 participating master’s programs; otherwise, they are not eligible for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship 2026. The scholarship offers generous support, covering air travel costs, full tuition fees, and accommodation. The application window 2 will remain open until May 29th, 2026. In this post, we will cover all the details about the scholarship requirements, coverage, and application process, so don’t miss out.
Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Program 2026: Overview
| Funded By | Government of Japan |
|---|---|
| Managed By | World Bank Group |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Degree Level | Master’s Degree |
| Participating Institutes | 24 Universities |
| Application Window | March 30 – May 29, 2026 |
Also, Check: Asian Future Leaders Scholarship 2026 at Kyoto University – Fully Funded
Scholarship Coverage
The World Bank scholarship offers the following support to recipients:
- Full tuition fee coverage for the degree duration
- Monthly stipend to cover living expenses
- The monthly stipend varies as per the host country
- Economy class return airfare coverage
- An additional grant to assist with relocation costs
- Medical insurance
The scholarship does not support:
- Visa costs
- Training and extracurricular costs
- Support for family members
- Language training
- Residence permit fee
Participating Host Institutes
| No | Institute | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian National University | Australia |
| 2 | Brandeis University | USA |
| 3 | Columbia University | USA |
| 4 | Harvard University | USA |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins University | USA |
| 6 | Stanford University | USA |
| 7 | University of California, Berkeley | USA |
| 8 | Williams College | USA |
| 9 | Yale University | USA |
| 10 | Erasmus University Rotterdam | Netherlands |
| 11 | IHE Delft Institute for Water Education | Netherlands |
| 12 | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | Netherlands |
| 13 | London School of Economics and Political Science | UK |
| 14 | SOAS University of London | UK |
| 15 | University of Leeds | UK |
| 16 | University of Oxford | UK |
| 17 | Keio University | Japan |
| 18 | National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies | Japan |
| 19 | Saitama University | Japan |
| 20 | University of Tokyo | Japan |
| 21 | University of Tsukuba | Japan |
| 22 | Yokohama National University | Japan |
| 23 | Université Clermont Auvergne | France |
| 24 | Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny | Côte d’Ivoire |
Degree programmes:
The above-mentioned host institutions offer scholarships for specific approved development masters programmes only, inlcuding:
- Public policy
- Infrastructure & urban planning
- Environmental & climate studies
- Development economics
- Public health
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria for JJ/WBGSP 2026:
- Must be a citizen of an eligible World Bank member developing country
- Not holding dual citizenship of a developed country
- In good health to attend the degree program
- Hold a minimum bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience in a development-related field
- Secure an unconditional admission to an eligible master’s program at one of the participating host institutions located outside the applicant’s country of citizenship.
- Applicants who have previously secured the scholarship and declined it are not eligible to apply
Selection Criteria
The selection is based on the following factors
- Professional experience
- Commitment to return to your home country
- Academic excellence
- Professional recommendation
How to Apply?
The application process for the Joint Japan World Bank Group Scholarship program consists of two phases that are:
Phase 1: Secure an admission
Interested applicants need to secure admission in one of the eligible participating master’s degree programs, apply, and receive an unconditional admission offer from the participating host institute
Phase 2: Apply for a scholarship
Once you have secured admission, you can now apply for the scholarship at the JJ/WBGSP online application portal.
Required Documents for Scholarship:
- Admission letter from the host institute
- Copy of degree certificate
- CV
- Two recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Employment proof
Also, Check:
- Padua International Excellence Scholarship 2026-2027 in Italy (Funded)
- University of Verona Scholarship 2026 – Study in Italy (Funded)
Important Points
- Students are encouraged to apply via laptop or computer, as the application portal is not designed for mobile phones and tablets
- Early submission is encouraged; don’t wait for the last date
- Apply for the single master’s degree program; multiple applications can lead to disqualification.
APPLY FOR WORLD BANK GROUP SCHOLARSHIP 2026
