World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program.

Call for Applications, World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

In 1987, the World Bank, with funding from the Government of Japan, established the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (WBGSP) for graduate studies in subjects related to economic development. Each year, the Program awards scholarships to individuals from World Bank member countries to undertake graduate studies at renowned universities throughout member countries of the Bank.

JJ/WBGS Program: Overview
Now in its 23d year, the Regular Program has awarded 3,153 scholarships, selected from 58,944 applicants. In addition, 1,226 scholarships have been awarded in the various JJ/WBGSP Partnership Programs for a total of 4,379 awards.

The Program's objective is to help create an international community of highly trained professionals working in the field of economic and social development. The World Bank and the Government of Japan require the scholars to return to their home countries on completion of their study Programs and apply their enhanced knowledge and skills to contribute to the development process in their respective regions and communities.

Eligibility

To apply for a JJ/WBGSP scholarship under the Regular Program, an applicant must:

• Be a national of a World Bank member country eligible to borrow.
• Be born after March 31, 1970.
• Have, by March 31, 2010, at least 2, preferably 4 to 5, years of recent full time professional experience acquired after a university degree, in the applicant’s home country or in another developing country.
• Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
• Be in good health.
• Be of good character.
• Not be a permanent resident or a national of any industrialized country.
• Not be residing in an industrialized country for more than one year.
• Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, staff of the World Bank
  Group (the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, International Development Association, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes), consultant, or relative of the aforementioned.
  
  

Program of Study

• Eligible applicants should propose a program of study related to development at the master's level, in fields such as economics, health, education, agriculture, environment, natural resource management, or other development‑related subject.
• The proposed program of study should start during the academic year 2010/2011 for a maximum duration of two years. The JJ/WBGSP does not support applicants who are already enrolled (i.e., taking classes) in graduate degree programs.
• Applicants should submit evidence of current unconditional admission to at least one development-related university master’s degree program and are encouraged to submit application to a second such program. Applicants are encouraged to apply to one of the Preferred Universities which, other things equal, will have priority in the scholarship award.
• The Program does not support studies in the applicant’s home country.
• The Program does not support applicants for MBA, MDs, M.Phil. or Ph.D. degrees.
• The Program does not support legal studies such as J.D., L.L.M. or S.J.D. except for L.L.M.’s related to human rights, environment, or good governance.

Attention!
The scholarship program does not sponsor undergraduate studies, distance learning programs, short-term training, conferences, seminars, thesis writing, research projects, and fields of studies not related to development. All these requests will not be considered.

The Program does not support certain other fields of study.

Selection Criteria

Eligible applications are assessed according to three main factors: academic excellence, professional experience, and relevance of program of study. Priority is given to candidates from the public sector with a high potential to impact the development in their own countries after completion of their studies. To the extent permitted by Program requirements and selection standards, the JJ/WBGSP:

• seeks to maintain a reasonably wide geographical distribution of awards and gives priority to applicants from low-income countries
• supports promising female candidates
• gives priority to those candidates who, other things equal, have limited financial resources

Special Conditions

• In accepting the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, candidates commit themselves to return to and work in their home countries after completion of their studies.
• In accepting this scholarship, candidates consent to the employment restriction policy of the JJ/WBGSP and acknowledge that they will not be able to work at the World Bank Group or IMF for three years after completion of their academic program.

The JJ/WBGSP scholarship provides annual awards to cover the cost of completing a master's degree or its equivalent. The awards are given for one year and, provided that the academic program is longer than one year, may be renewed for a second consecutive year or a portion thereof, subject to satisfactory academic performance in the first year and the availability of funds. There is an absolute two year maximum limit on JJ/WBGSP awards.

The scholarship provides benefits for the recipient only, covering:

• economy class air travel between the home country and the host university at the start of the study program and one return journey following the end of the overall scholarship period. In addition to the ticket, scholars receive a US $500 travel allowance for each trip;
• tuition and the cost of basic medical and accident insurance usually obtained through the university;
• a monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses, including books.
  
  

The JJ/WBGSP scholarship does not cover:

• expenses for the scholar's family
• extra-curricular courses or training
• language training
• additional travel during the course of the study program
• additional expenses related to research, supplementary educational materials, field trips, or participation in workshops, seminars, or internships while at the host university; or
• educational equipment such as computers
  
  

In addition:

• The scholarship award is valid for the academic year immediately following the offer of award and cannot be deferred for any reason.
• The amount of scholarship may vary depending upon the host country and the tuition charged by the host university. In recent years the annual value of a scholarship has averaged around US$35,000.
• The JJ/WBGSP scholarship only supplements, and does not duplicate, any other source of financial support/fellowship the scholar might have. Scholars must inform the JJ/WBGSP if they have other sources of scholarship funds. The JJ/WBGSP stipend may be withdrawn completely or partially if during the scholarship period the Program has evidence of additional sources of support.
  
  

The application together with ALL supporting documentation must be received in the Scholarship Program Office by the deadline of March 31, 2010. Applicants should make the necessary provision to ensure receipt of their application package before the deadline. The program Secretariat is not responsible of any possible delay in mail delivery.

Due to the large volume of paperwork handled by the JJ/WBGSP Secretariat, it is not possible to respond to telephone or mail requests regarding the status of applications.

APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF RESULTS BY THE END OF JULY 2010.