Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2025

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) 2025 is an opportunity provided by the World Bank Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC)* and funded by the Government of Japan on an annual basis. The scholarship aims to support applicants of selected master’s degree programs. The selected candidates will receive tuition fees and additional benefits.

*The World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) offers scholarships to students and young researchers, supporting its mission in capacity development and knowledge sharing in the developing world. Since 1982, DEC’s programs have trained over 7,000 development professionals and scholars, positively impacting their countries and future generations.

Source: World Bank Scholarship Program

The World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is providing this opportunity.

To be eligible, an applicant must:-

• be an Indian national
• not hold dual citizenship in a developed country
• hold a bachelor’s degree earned at least 3 years before the application deadline
• be employed full-time in development-related work when applying for the scholarship and have at least three years of relevant paid experience since earning a bachelor's degree, acquired within the past six years
• be admitted unconditionally to at least one of the participating programs for this scholarship outside of India for the academic year 2025

Note:-

• Students who are currently enrolled in a participating program are ineligible for this scholarship.
• Staff or close relative of staff of the World Bank Group (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Development Association, International Finance Corporation, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and International Center for Settlements of Investment Disputes) are ineligible for this scholarship.
• The list of participating programs is available on the following link: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/brief/jjwbgsp-participating-programs.

Selected candidates will receive:-

• Economy class air travel between the host institution and the candidate’s home country at the start and end of the program
• A travel allowance of USD 600 for each trip
• Tuition fees for the respective program
• The cost of basic medical insurance obtained through the institution
• A monthly subsistence allowance to cover all living expenses like accommodation, food, books, etc.) while on campus

Note:-

• The scholarship will cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.
• The scholarship will not cover the following:
  • Visa application(s) costs
  • Expenses to bring and/or support a scholar's family members
  • Extra-curricular courses or training
  • Courses that do not meet the minimum credits required to earn the graduate degree
  • Language training not provided by the graduate program
  • Additional travel during the course of the study program
  • Expenses related to research, supplementary educational materials, field trips, participation in workshops/seminars, or internships; or educational equipment such as computers
  • Resident permit fee

Eligible candidates can apply for the scholarship through the following steps:-
Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button below. 
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required registration details (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID).
Step 3: Navigate to 'Application Window #1' or 'Application Window #2' and click on it.
Step 4: Choose the desired program to apply for and click on it, and it will redirect to the respective application page of the institution.
Step 5: Complete the application on the institution's website and submit it.
Step 6: Acquire the unconditional admission letter from the respective institution.
Step 7: Submit the application form on the World Bank Scholarship website along with the required documents.

Note:- The link to the online application form will only be communicated by JJ/WBGSP participating programs to the applicants they have shortlisted as eligible.

• Document proof of relevant work experience
• Bachelor’s degree diploma
• Diploma of the most advanced graduate degree (if applicable)
• Curriculum Vitae in prescribed format
• Unconditional admission letter from the institution
• Two recommendation letters

Note:-

• An unconditional admission letter is mandatory.
• A prescribed format for the curriculum vitae is available in Annex 4 of the 'Application Guidelines' documents.
• Work experience proof and degrees must be translated into English if they are in another language. Upload both the original and translated documents in the application form. The translation doesn’t need to be certified, and free online tools can be used. A certified translation is not mandatory.
• Kindly refer to the ‘Application Guidelines’ documents for a detailed guide on the recommendation letters.

Each eligible application is reviewed independently by two qualified assessors who score it on a scale of 1 to 10, considering four main factors and their overall cohesion:

• Quality of Professional Experience (30% weight)
• Quality of Professional Recommendations (30% weight)
• Quality of Commitment to Your Home Country (30% weight)
• Quality of Educational Background (10% weight)

The JJ/WBGSP Secretariat calculates the average score from both assessors and uses the following criteria to select the finalists:

• Ensure a broad geographical distribution of awards
• Maintain a reasonable gender distribution among awardees
• Consider unusual circumstances or hardships when evaluating employment experience and other aspects of the application
• Prioritize applicants who (other conditions being equal) have limited access to financial resources for studying abroad

Once the finalists are determined, the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat presents the list to the JJ/WBGSP Steering Committee, which consists of members from the World Bank Board of Directors and management, for approval. Winners are notified shortly after this approval and will be required to provide the following information:

• Identification proof, such as passport, birth certificate
• Medical certificate less than 3 months old from the starting date of the program

Failure to provide the above-mentioned documents will result in disqualification.

Application Window 1: 13th January - 28th February 2025 (12:00 noon EST)
Application Window 2: 25th March - 23rd May 2025 (12:00 noon EST)

Question 1: What is the total duration of this scholarship?
Answer: The scholarship will cover the duration of the graduate program or two years, whichever is less.

Question 2: Can the applicants apply before the application window opens?
Answer: No, all applications must be submitted within the application window specified on the official website.

Question 3: Who funds this scholarship program?
Answer: This scholarship is funded annually by the Japanese government.

Question 4: Does this scholarship cover the visa application cost?
Answer: No, this scholarship does not cover the cost of visa applications.

Question 5: If a student has completed their application for their desired master’s degree program, can they apply for this scholarship right away?
Answer: Students must have an unconditional admission letter from the respective institution in order to apply for this scholarship.

• Applicants must apply through a PC/laptop, and not through a mobile phone.
• Applications delivered in person, by fax, email or postal mail will be disqualified.
• Applications started before the window period will be disqualified.
• Submission of multiple applications will result in disqualification.
• If an applicant gets selected for multiple participating programs, they must select one before applying. Transfer of program after scholarship selection will not be permitted.
• It is up to the applicant to determine the eligibility for the scholarship.
• Candidates who are selected for studies in the US must travel to the US on a J-1 Visa.
• The eligibility criteria will be strictly followed with no exceptions made.
• For more information, kindly refer to the 'Application Guidelines' documents.