Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) applications are open to nationals of developing countries at Asia Pacific University (APU) in Japan. Citizens of specific developing countries with relevant professional experience and a background in supporting their nations’ development efforts can apply for this fully funded opportunity.
Selected applicants applying to a master’s degree program in a development-related area are eligible for the JJ/WBGSP.
JJ/WBGSP grants scholarships for 41 Participating Master’s Programs in 24 universities in the United States, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Japan, subject to available financing, in essential areas of development such as economic policy management, tax policy, and infrastructure management.
All applicants should note that if they are not accepted into one of the 41Participating Master’s Programs, they will not be eligible to apply for a JJ/WBGSP Scholarship in 2025.
Summary
- Host University: Asia Pacific University (APU)
- Study Location: Japan
- Awarding Organization: Japan/World Bank
- Level of Study: Master
- Eligible Countries: Developing Countries
- Scholarship Duration: Master’s program for two years
- Application Deadlines:
- Window 1: January 13 to February 28, 2025, at noon EST
- Window 2 March 25 to May 23, 2025, at noon EST
Benefits
The scholarship covers all the following expenses:
- Full tuition fee
- Medical insurance
- Monthly allowance for living expenses, such as accommodations, food, books, and more
- There is a one-round trip travel cost at the start and end of the program at APU.
- Travel allowance of 600 USD in addition to economy-class air
The JJ/WBGSP scholarship does not cover:
- Visa application fees
- Family support expenses
- Extra courses or training
- Non-credit courses
- Unofficial language training
- Additional travel
- Research costs, materials, field trips, workshops, or internships
- Educational equipment (e.g., computers)
- Resident permit fees
Note: The scholarship only supplements other financial aid. Recipients must report any additional scholarships or fellowships to the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat.
Eligibility Criteria
Only students who meet the following requirements can apply for the World Bank Scholarship:
- Must be a national of a World Bank member developing country.
- Cannot hold dual citizenship with any developed country.
- Must be in good health.
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree (earned at least 3 years before the application deadline).
- Must be employed in full-time, development-related work when applying.
- Must have at least 3 years of recent, paid, development-related experience.
- Admission to at least one participating master’s program outside the applicant’s home country is required by the application deadline.
- Cannot be a World Bank Group Executive Director, their alternate, staff, or close relative.
- Previous recipients who declined or did not complete the scholarship are ineligible.
- Strict adherence to criteria; no exceptions or changes during the application period.
Selection Criteria
The JJ/WBGSP uses the following process to examine qualifying scholarship applications from developing country nationals to identify applicants with the greatest potential to benefit their countries’ development after completing their graduate studies.
Two qualified assessors evaluate each eligible application independently and grade it on a scale of 1 to 10, taking into account four primary factors and the degree of cohesiveness among them:
- Professional Experience (30% weight)
- Professional Recommendations (30% weight)
- Commitment to your Home Country (30% weight)
- Education Background (10% weight)
The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat selects the finalists based on the average score of the two assessors and the following criteria:
- A reasonably wide geographical distribution of awards
- A sufficiently wide distribution of awards across gender
- Unusual circumstances/hardships when assessing employment experience and other aspects of an application
- Giving scholarships to applicants who, other things being equal, have limited access to financial resources
How to Apply for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship?
Applicants should submit their application to Asia Pacific University (APU) before their desired application Window deadline. Choose and review your study program. Click the link below to start your application.
Apply Now
Please visit the APU official website or review the FAQs for detailed information about the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship.
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