World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2025

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Be a citizen of a developing country that is a World Bank member (Refer to the 'Guidelines' document for the list of eligible countries).
• Have secured admission into a master’s degree program at one of the participating universities.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), obtained at least three years before the application deadline.
• Have at least three years of recent, full-time, development-related work experience after earning the bachelor’s degree.
• Be employed in a paid, full-time, development-related position at the time of application submission.

***Note:** Applicants who have previously been awarded the WBGSP scholarship but declined it, or those who received the scholarship but did not complete their studies, are not eligible to apply again.*

Scholarship Benefits

The selected candidates will receive the following financial support:

• Tuition Fees – Full coverage of tuition for the master’s degree program.
• Medical Insurance – Basic health insurance obtained through the university.
• Travel Allowance – Round-trip economy class airfare between the scholar’s home country and the host university (at the start and end of the program), along with a $600 travel allowance per trip.
• Living Expenses – A monthly stipend to cover essential costs such as housing, food, and books.

***Note:** The amount of the monthly allowance varies based on the host country.*

Expenses Not Covered by the Scholarship The scholarship does not cover:

• Visa application fees
• Resident permit fees
• Family support expenses (expenses for dependents)
• Extra-curricular courses, additional training, or language programs outside of the main curriculum
• Research costs, educational materials, or field trips
• Participation in workshops, seminars, or internships
• Purchase of computers or other personal educational equipment
• Additional travel expenses during the study period

Required Documents

Applicants must provide the following documents while applying:

• Bachelor’s degree/diploma (The most advanced graduate degree of the applicant; a transcript can be submitted as a substitute for the diploma).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the prescribed format (Annexure 4) – Only paid work experience should be included, but a separate "Volunteer Work" section can be added for unpaid internships or pro bono activities.
• Letter of Admission from a WBGSP participating master’s program, which:
  • Is listed on the WBGSP website
  • Is the program for which the applicant is seeking WBGSP funding
  • Is located outside the applicant’s home country and country of residence
• Valid Passport (if applicable).

***Note:** The scholarship application is only considered valid if an unconditional letter of acceptance from a participating master’s program is uploaded.*

Additional Documents for Finalists

Applicants who are selected as finalists will be required to submit:

• Medical Certificate – A scanned copy of a health/medical certificate, issued within three months before the start of the master's program, confirming that the scholar is in good health.
• Identification Document – A scanned copy of the passport identification page.
  • If the applicant does not have a valid passport, an alternative legal document (e.g., birth or marriage certificate) must be submitted within three business days of receiving the scholarship offer.
  • The name on this document must match the one on the application form.

For annexures and document templates, refer to the 'Guidelines' document available on the WBGSP website.

How to Apply?

Candidates can apply by following these steps:

1. Visit the Official Website of the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program.
2. Check Eligibility to ensure all requirements are met.
3. Complete the Online Application Form with personal, educational, and professional details.
4. Upload Required Documents in the specified format.
5. Submit the Application before the deadline.
6. Keep a Copy of the submitted application for future reference.

Application Deadline: 23 May 2025

For more details and updates, visit the official World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program website.