"World Bank Graduate Scholarship" Program 2010

World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2010

The applications are open for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program(JJ/WBGSP) for the academic year 2010-11. 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.

Introduction

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 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. Since the inception of the Program, the Government of Japan has provided over 204,7 million dollars to the Scholarship Program. 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.

Starting in 1992, a number of Partnership Programs have been launched, largely to respond to the need for graduate study Programs which combine academic rigor with specialized training in the practical aspects of policy-making. The objective of these Programs is to prepare the participants for effective policy-making roles in their home countries and regions. The World Bank administers the Program through the World Bank Institute (WBI).

Eligibility Criteria

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.

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