What is JJ/WBGSP?
The JJ/WBGSP (Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program) is open to citizens of certain developing countries, including Ethiopia, with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a master’s degree program in a development-related topic.
Subject to available funding, JJ/WBGSP offers scholarships for 42 Participating Master’s Programs in 24 universities in the U.S., Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan in key areas of development, including economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management.
Please note that if you are not admitted to one of these 42 Participating Master’s Programs, you are not eligible to apply for a JJ/WBGSP Scholarship in 2025.
To accommodate the academic calendar of JJ/WBGSP Participating Programs, the application process is organized in two rounds:
Application Window #1: Window 1 will open from January 13 to February 28, 2025, at 12:00 noon EST
Application Window #2: Window 2 will open from March 25 to May 23, 2025, at 12:00 noon EST
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Eligibility Criteria
The specific eligibility criteria for each application round are detailed in the corresponding Application Guidelines. These criteria are strictly enforced, and no exceptions will be made.
General Eligibility Requirements for Developing Country Nationals:
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of a World Bank member developing country listed [here].
- Citizenship: Cannot hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
- Health: Must be in good health.
- Education: Possess a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree obtained at least 3 years prior to the Application Deadline.
- Employment: Be currently employed in a paid full-time development-related position. Have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since earning a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree), acquired within the past six years from the application deadline.
- Field of Study: While not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to have experience in development-related fields.
- Exception for Fragile and Conflict States: Developing country nationals from countries listed in Annex 3 as Fragile and Conflict States may be considered for exceptions to the employment requirement due to limited employment opportunities in these regions.
- Admission: Prior to the scholarship application deadline, obtain unconditional admission (except for funding) to at least one JJ/WBGSP participating master’s program located outside of your country of citizenship and residence as listed at the time the scholarship call opened. Upload the admission letter before submitting your scholarship application. For more information, refer to the “How to Apply” section below.
- World Bank Affiliation: Must not be an Executive Director, their alternate, any type of staff member at the World Bank Group, or a close relative (defined as mother, father, sister, half-sister, brother, half-brother, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew) of any of the aforementioned.
- Previous JJ/WBGSP Involvement: If you previously declined a JJ/WBGSP scholarship offer or did not graduate from a previous JJ/WBGSP program, you are ineligible to reapply.
Important Note: All eligibility criteria are strictly enforced, and no exceptions will be made. The eligibility criteria will remain unchanged during an open application call. However, these criteria may be subject to modification between the conclusion of one application process and the commencement of the next.
How to Apply
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- Click Application Guidelines
- Click Application Guidelines
Scholarship Selection Process
The JJ/WBGSP employs a rigorous review process to identify eligible scholarship candidates from developing countries with the greatest potential to positively impact their home countries upon completion of their graduate studies.
Two qualified assessors independently evaluate each eligible application, assigning a score between 1 and 10 based on four key factors and their overall coherence:
- Quality of Professional Experience: 30% weight
- Quality of Professional Recommendations: 30% weight
- Quality of Commitment to Home Country: 30% weight
- Quality of Education Background: 10% weight
The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat utilizes the average score from both assessors and considers the following criteria when selecting finalists:
- Geographical Diversity: Ensuring a balanced distribution of awards across different regions.
- Gender Balance: Maintaining a fair representation of both genders among scholarship recipients.
- Exceptional Circumstances: Evaluating applicants who may have faced unusual challenges or hardships in their employment experience or other aspects of their application.
- Financial Need: Prioritizing applicants who demonstrate limited access to financial resources for pursuing graduate studies abroad, when all other factors are equal.
The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat presents the list of finalists to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee (composed of members of the World Bank Board of Directors and WB management) for approval. Winners are notified soon after the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee approval.
JJ/WBGSP Scholarship Benefits
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship offers the following benefits to its recipients:
- Travel: Economy class airfare for travel between your home country and the host university at the beginning and end of your study program. Additionally, scholars will receive a $600 travel allowance for each trip.
- Education: Full tuition coverage for your graduate program and the cost of basic medical insurance obtained through the university.
- Living Expenses: A monthly subsistence allowance to cover living costs (accommodation, food, etc., including books) while on campus during the scholarship period. The allowance amount varies depending on the host country.
Important Note: All JJ/WBGSP scholarships are awarded for the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is shorter.
JJ/WBGSP Scholarship Exclusions
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship does not cover the following expenses:
- Visa Applications: Costs associated with visa applications.
- Family Expenses: Expenses for bringing or supporting family members.
- Extracurricular Activities: Costs for extracurricular courses or training.
- Insufficient Credit Courses: Courses that do not meet the minimum credit requirements for obtaining the graduate degree.
- Language Training: Language training not provided by the graduate program.
- Additional Travel: Travel expenses incurred during the study program, beyond the initial round trip.
- Research and Supplementary Expenses: Expenses related to research, supplementary educational materials, field trips, workshops/seminars, or internships.
- Educational Equipment: Costs for educational equipment such as computers.
- Resident Permit Fees: Fees associated with obtaining a resident permit.
Important Note: The JJ/WBGSP scholarship may only supplement, not duplicate, any other financial support or fellowship you may have. If you have been awarded another scholarship or fellowship, please submit the relevant documents to the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat.
JJ/WBGSP Summary
- Host: Japan + World bank
- Category: Master’s Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Developing Countries
- Reward: Fully funded, including flight tickets topped-up with travel allowances. Monthly stipend (amount varies by country)
- Deadline: Varies by Country
- Scholarship info: To receive Scholarship info on Telegram, Click HERE.
