Apply to University
Secure unconditional admission to a participating program
Get Nominated
University reviews applicants and sends nominated candidates a portal link
Submit Scholarship Application
Complete the full application through the online portal during the scholarship window
Stage 1: Apply to a Partner University
This happens before the scholarship window opens — and usually months before.
Choose Your Program Carefully
There are 44 participating JJ/WBGSP programs across 24 universities. Check which window your target program falls under — not all programs participate in both windows. This information is on the World Bank JJ/WBGSP website in the current guidelines.
Your program must be development-related and must be located outside your country of citizenship AND outside your current country of residence. Both conditions must be met simultaneously.
Apply Through the University's Own Process
Each university has its own application system, its own fees, its own deadline, and its own requirements. University application deadlines are almost always earlier than the JJ/WBGSP scholarship window — sometimes by 3–6 months.
What You Need: Unconditional Admission
The scholarship application requires proof of unconditional admission. "Unconditional" means the offer is not contingent on results you haven't yet received. However, a letter that says "admission conditional on funding being secured" does qualify — that's a common form of admission for students applying with scholarship support.
What doesn't qualify: being on a waitlist; conditional on pending exam results; conditional on submitting additional documents you haven't yet provided.
Stage 2: University Nomination
Being admitted does not guarantee nomination. This is an additional internal screening.
How Nomination Works
After the university's application review period, each participating university independently reviews its admitted applicants and nominates those who appear eligible for JJ/WBGSP. Each program can nominate a set number of candidates — for example, ISS (International Institute of Social Studies) in the Netherlands can nominate up to 30 candidates.
Nominated candidates receive an invitation link to the online scholarship application portal. You cannot access this portal yourself — the link is only delivered through the university nomination process.
Not All Admitted Students Are Nominated
Being admitted to the university does not automatically mean you'll be nominated for JJ/WBGSP. Universities screen for basic eligibility criteria. If you have questions about whether you'll be nominated, contact the university's international scholarships office after admission and ask directly about your JJ/WBGSP candidacy.
Stage 3: Submit the Scholarship Application
The actual World Bank application — completed through the portal using the link from your university.
Window 1
2027 dates to be confirmed
Notification: typically end of March
Window 2
2027 dates to be confirmed
Notification: typically end of June
Japanese Nationals
2027 dates to be confirmed
Separate notification timeline
Required Documents
Only ONE application per window. Submitting more than one application — whether accidentally or to cover multiple programs — is automatic disqualification with no appeal.
Portal Rules
The Recommender Problem
Recommendations account for 30% of your score and are the most common disqualification point in an otherwise complete application.
How It Works
Your recommenders do not submit through your portal. When you complete the scholarship application, you enter your recommenders' contact details. They then receive an automated invitation with their own separate link to submit their letters.
If that invitation goes to spam — or if your recommender doesn't check email regularly — it never gets submitted. Your application is then incomplete and will not be reviewed.
What You Should Actually Do
Full Timeline
Window 1 · Developing Country Nationals
Window 2 · Developing Country Nationals
After You Receive an Offer
Health Certificate Required
Scholars who accept an offer must submit a health certificate from a physician, dated within 3 months of the certificate's submission date. This must be submitted at least 21 days before your travel to the host university. Don't leave this until the last week before departure.
Declining = Lifetime Ineligibility
If you decline a JJ/WBGSP offer — for any reason, including a better scholarship coming through — you are permanently ineligible to apply again in any future cycle. This is stated explicitly in the program rules and there are no exceptions. Accept only if you're committed.