In 1987, the World Bank, with funding from the Government of Japan, established the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (WBGSP) for graduate studies in subjects related to economic development. Each year, the Program awards scholarships to individuals from World Bank member countries to undertake graduate studies at renowned universities throughout member countries of the Bank.
Now in its 22nd year, the Regular Program has awarded 2,894 scholarships, selected from 56,361 applicants. In addition, 1,106 scholarships have been awarded in the various JJ/WBGSP Partnership Programs for a total of 4,000 awards.
Since the inception of the Program, the Government of Japan has provided about 202.5 million dollars to the Scholarship Program. The Program's objective is to help create an international community of highly trained professionals working in the field of economic and social development. The World Bank and the Government of Japan require the scholars to return to their home countries on completion of their study Programs and apply their enhanced knowledge and skills to contribute to the development process in their respective regions and communities.
Starting in 1992, a number of Partnership Programs have been launched, largely to respond to the need for graduate study Programs which combine academic rigor with specialized training in the practical aspects of policy-making. The objective of these Programs is to prepare the participants for effective policy-making roles in their home countries and regions.
The World Bank administers the Program through the World Bank Institute (WBI). Policy guidance for the Program is provided by a Steering Committee comprised of three Executive Directors and five senior managers of the Bank. A Secretariat for day-to-day administration is maintained within WBI.
Eligibility
To apply for a JJ/WBGSP scholarship under the Regular Program, an applicant must:
- Be a national of a World Bank member country eligible to borrow.
- Applicants born before April 1, 1969 will not be considered.
- Have, by March 31, 2009, a t least 2 years of recent full time professional experience acquired after a university degree, in the applicant’s home country or in another developing country.
- Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
- Be in good health.
- Be of good character.
- Not be a permanent resident or a national of any industrialized country.
- Not be residing in an industrialized country for more than one year.
- Executive Directors, their alternates, staff of the World Bank Group (the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Development Association, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes), consultants, and relatives of the aforementioned are excluded from consideration.
Program of Study
- Eligible applicants should propose a program of study related to development at the master's level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development?related subject.
- The proposed program of study should start during the academic year 2008/2009 for a maximum duration of two years. The JJ/WBGSP Program does not support applicants who are already enrolled (i.e., taking classes) in graduate degree programs.
- Applicants should submit evidence of current unconditional admission to at least one development-related university master’s degree program and are encouraged to submit application to a second such program. Applicants are encouraged to apply to one of the Program’s cooperating universities which, other things equal, will have priority in the scholarship award.
- The Program does not support studies in the applicant’s home country.
- The Program does not support applicants for MBA, M.Phil. or Ph.D. degrees.
- The Program does not support legal studies such as J.D., L.L.M. or S.J.D. except for L.L.M.’s related to human rights, environment, or good governance.
Attention!
The scholarship program does not sponsor undergraduate studies, distance learning programs, short-term training, conferences, seminars, thesis writing, research projects, and fields of studies not related to development. All these requests will not be considered.
The Program does not support certain other fields of study.Selection Criteria
Eligible applications are assessed according to three main factors: academic excellence, professional experience, and relevance of program of study. Priority is given to candidates from the public sector with a high potential to impact the development in their own countries after completion of their studies. To the extent permitted by Program requirements and selection standards, the JJ/WBGSP:
- Seeks to maintain a reasonably wide geographical distribution of awards and gives priority to applicants from low income countries.
- Supports promising female candidates;
- Gives priority to those candidates who, other things equal, have limited financial resources; and
- Encourages studies in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), among which are poverty, education, gender equality, maternal health. For more details, refer to the following web site: http://www.developmentgoals.org
Special Conditions
Paper copies of completed applications and required documents should be sent to:
- In accepting the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, candidates commit themselves to return to and work in their home countries after completion of their studies.
- In accepting this scholarship, candidates consent to the employment restriction policy of the JJ/WBGSP and acknowledge that they will not be able to work at the World Bank Group or IMF for three years after completion of their academic program.
The World Bank
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
1818 H Street, NW - MSN J2-204
Washington, DC 20433
USA
The application together with ALL supporting documentation must be received in the Scholarship Program Office by the deadline of March 31, 2009. Applicants should make the necessary provision to ensure receipt of their application package before the deadline. The program Secretariat is not responsible of any possible delay in mail delivery.
Due to the large volume of paperwork handled by the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat, it is not possible to respond to telephone or mail requests regarding the status of applications.
APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF RESULTS BY THE END OF JULY 2009.
For more information about the Cooperating Universities in Japan or Partnership Programs,
please visit the Program website.
