What's Covered
Five components make up the fellowship package.
Tuition & Fees
Fully covered for the duration of the program or 2 years, whichever is shorter. This includes tuition fees paid directly to the university and any mandatory program fees.
Airfare
Economy class round-trip airfare between your home country and the host university. For multi-year programs, return travel at the end is also covered.
Older sources cited $500 — the travel allowance was increased. The current figure is $600 per trip.
Monthly Living Stipend
Covers accommodation, food, books, and local transport. The amount varies by host country — and this is where the official site goes quiet.
The Stipend Transparency Problem
The official JJ/WBGSP guidelines confirm a monthly living stipend is included but publish no specific amounts. You will not know the stipend figure until after you are selected and receive your offer letter. This is one of the most common frustrations among applicants and scholars alike.
Estimated ranges based on alumni reports (unofficial — verify with your specific university):
These are estimates only, drawn from alumni accounts on online forums and scholarship communities. The actual amount you receive may differ. Always research current housing costs in your target city independently.
Medical Insurance
Basic health insurance coverage is included for the duration of the scholarship.
If you have significant ongoing medical needs, assess the insurance coverage carefully before accepting. You may need supplemental coverage.
Duration of Funding
Funding covers the actual program length or 2 years, whichever is shorter. If your program is 12 months, funding covers 12 months. If it's 24 months, full 24-month coverage. If it's 3 years — only the first 2 years are funded.
What Is Not Covered
These are the gaps. Some are obvious; others catch scholars off guard.
Visa application fees
You pay for your own student visa. This varies by destination country from about $100–500 USD. Not a large amount, but it's not reimbursed.
Family and dependent expenses
No dependent allowance. No family travel support. If you bring a spouse or children, all their costs are entirely on you. This is a significant financial burden for scholars with families and deserves careful planning before you accept.
Language training
If your target program has a language requirement outside English that you need to fulfill, language training costs are not covered. This typically isn't an issue since most JJ/WBGSP programs are taught in English.
Personal travel during studies
The airfare covers your home-to-university journey only. Travel during term breaks, to conferences (unless funded separately), or for personal reasons is your own expense.
Research fieldwork costs
Any fieldwork or research costs beyond what your stipend covers are not funded. If your thesis or dissertation requires fieldwork, factor that in. Some scholars secure small research grants separately for this purpose.
Computer equipment & extra books
The stipend is meant to cover books as part of living expenses — but it doesn't specifically call out a technology or equipment allowance. Budget for a laptop independently if you need one.
The Family Situation
If You Have a Spouse or Children
The scholarship explicitly does not cover dependents. There is no dependent allowance and no supplemental family support. If you have a spouse or children who plan to accompany you, their accommodation, food, schooling, healthcare, and travel costs are entirely separate from your scholarship — and entirely your responsibility.
For scholars from developing countries, this can be a meaningful financial challenge. A monthly stipend that comfortably covers one person's expenses in a mid-cost city may not stretch to cover two adults and a child in London or New York without supplemental income or savings.
This is a major decision point. Think through it before accepting the offer, not after you arrive.
The Stipend Gap
High-Cost Cities Are a Real Problem
For programs based in London, New York, or other high-cost cities, the monthly stipend may not cover rent alone in many neighborhoods near the university. This is not a hypothetical concern — it's something alumni consistently flag in forum discussions.
Alumni who have been through programs at the London School of Economics (LSE) and similar institutions generally recommend researching housing costs for the specific university and city before choosing which program to apply to. University-managed accommodation (student halls) is often significantly cheaper than private rentals and should be prioritized if available.
The practical implication: your choice of program isn't only about academic reputation or fit — it's also a financial decision. A strong program in a lower-cost city may leave you more comfortable financially than a prestigious program in an expensive one.
Duration Warning
The Two-Year Ceiling Is Firm
The scholarship covers a maximum of two years. If your program is longer than two years, only the first two years are funded. If you experience thesis delays — which are common in master's programs with substantial research components — the scholarship will not extend into a third year. It ends at the 2-year mark regardless.
This has caught some scholars by surprise. If you are considering programs with known thesis completion challenges, factor in the possibility of needing self-funded time to finish. Plan accordingly.