World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

As shared in a previous entry SIPA does partner with a number of organizations to provide scholarship funding.  The process is always competitive and we cannot guarantee funding to all applicants who are affiliated with partner organizations or specific scholarship programs.

We identify most candidates through a mechanism on the the admission application.  In the fellowship portion of the application each applicant has the chance to choose from a drop down list of organizations or scholarship programs they might be affiliated with or for which they have submitted an application for funding.

SIPA does partner with the World Bank to provide scholarships and we highly encourage eligible applicants to apply.   The scholarship selection process involves both an application to SIPA and an application for the World Bank scholarship program. Below is a brief description of the program from their Web site:

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.

Now in its 22nd year, the Regular Program has awarded 2,894 scholarships, selected from 56,361 applicants. In addition, 1,106 scholarships have been awarded in the various JJ/WBGSP Partnership Programs for a total of 4,000 awards.

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.
  • Applicants born before April 1, 1969 will not be considered.
  • Have, by March 31, 2009, a t least 2 years of recent full time professional experience acquired after auniversity 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.

Full details and the application can be found by clicking hereThe deadline to apply is March 31st, 2009.  Again, to be considered an admission application to SIPA must be submitted and a separate application for the World Bank Fellowship must be submitted.  After admission selections are made SIPA then works with the World Bank to review qualified candidates for consideration.

Good luck and please remember that the SIPA Fellowship Database is a great place to look for additional funding opportunities.