The World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency(DEC) provides scholarships to students and young researchers, contributing to the World Bank’s mission of forging new dynamic approaches to capacity development and knowledge sharing in the developing world.It is an important component of the World Bank’s efforts to promote economic development and shared prosperity through investing in education, capacity building, and developing human resources in the developing world. Since 1982, the DEC’s scholarship programs have helped to form a pool of over 6,000 well-trained and experienced development professionals and scholars, transforming their countries and positively impacting future generations.
Active programs
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program(JJ/WBGSP): Since 1987, JJ/WBGSP has enabled more than 6,000 mid-career professionals from 160 developing countries and Japan to complete graduate degrees in development-related fields. On an annual basis, the Government of Japan solely funds the JJ/WBGSP.
Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program(RSMFP): Since 1982, RSMFP has provided support to young researchers on a wide variety of topics in development-related fields. Currently, the program connects promising young researchers to World Bank research, data resources, and technical expertise. Selected fellows are hosted as a cohort at the World Bank in Washington D.C. and work on DEC research projects, receiving formal training and participating in policy relevant research.
Eligibility
For JJ/WBGSP:
- Be a national of a World Bank member developing country on this list.
- Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
- Be in good health.
- Hold a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years prior to the Application Deadline date.
- Have 3 years or more of recent development-related work experience after earning a bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree.
- Be employed in development-related work in a paid full- time position at the time of submitting the scholarship application.
- Have at least 3 years of paid development-related employment since earning a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent university degree) and acquired within the past 6 years from the date of the application deadline.
- On or before the scholarship application deadline date, be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programs located outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence listed at the time the call for scholarship applications opens. The letter of admission must be uploaded before submitting the scholarship application.
- Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of any type of appointment of the World Bank Group or a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew.Individuals who have previously been offered a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but declined it, or have previously received a JJ/WBGSP scholarship but did not graduate, are not eligible to apply again.
For RSMFP:
- Nationals of World Bank WBG member countries, with preference to nationals of developing countries.
- Fluent in English.
- Graduates of master’s level studies or currently pursuing a PhD in Economics or a related field.
- No more than 35 years of age (by June 30 2023).
- Available to relocate to Washington, D.C. for the duration of the fellowship.
Application deadline
The next windows for scholarship applications will open in January and March 2024.
For more details visit here.
