Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship program 2010-2011

The mission of the World Bank Group is to reduce poverty and improve living standards through sustainable development and investment in people. The World Bank Institute (WBI) is at the forefront of the Bank’s efforts to promote learning and deliver to the stakeholders, the best thinking and experience emerging from around the world on issues crucial to reform and socio-economic development.

Through its management of the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) and the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSM Fellowships), WBI supplements its training programs by providing opportunities for graduate study to promising professionals from developing member countries.

The objective of the Scholarship and Fellowship Programs is to help create an international community of highly-trained professionals working in the field of economic and social development. The community will actively participate in the capacity building efforts in the developing countries.

Eligibility Criteria
To apply for a JJ/WBGSP scholarship under the Regular Program, an applicant should read carefully the application procedure as outlined in documents below:

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. Applicants are encouraged to apply to one of the Preferred Universities. 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

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

Benefits

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.

How to apply

Applications are usually available as:

on-line application form presented in English, French, and Spanish pdf files that can be downloaded from JJ/WBGSP website

Please note that applicants are encouraged to seek admissions in institutions listed in the website underPreferred Universities 2010-2011.Paper copies of completed applications and all required supporting documents should be sent to:
The World Bank
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
1818 H Street, NW – MSN J2-204
Washington, DC 20433USA

Applications sent by fax or e-mail are not accepted.

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.
Further information about this scholarship can be found at: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/EXTWBISFP/EXTJJWBGSP/0,,contentMDK:20276784~menuPK:551652~pagePK:64168445~piPK:641683