[Source: 
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/EXTWBISFP/EXTJJWBGSP/0...]

Scholarships and Fellowships

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.

Respective candidates are encouraged to carefully go through both the JJ/WBGSP and RSM Fellowships and review the eligibility criteria. For the JJ/WBGSP Regular Program and RSM Fellowships candidates apply directly to the Secretariat at the World Bank Headquarters. For both the Partnership Programs the respective host universities should be contacted.

JJ/WBGS 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.

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). Policy guidance for the Program is provided by a Steering Committee comprised of three Executive Directors and five senior managers of the Bank. A Secretariat for day-to-day administration is maintained within WBI.

RSM Fellowships Program

Attention!

We are currently updating this application for the 2010 program. Please check back periodically for the new form. Who Can Apply| Program Support| Host Institution | Fields of Research|
Fellowships Award| Grants| Fellow’s Commitment|

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program provides support to young researchers working in academic and research institutions from eligible countries preparing a doctoral thesis. Research grants cover residence costs for a 5 to 10 month period in a renowned university or research center. Fellows are expected to advance their research work mainly by using the facilities and resources provided by the host institution and by interacting with peers.

Who Can Apply?

Only lecturers and researchers from eligible countries working on their doctoral thesis can apply for the fellowship. Candidates should be
under 45 years, and have completed any course work or exams required
for their doctoral program.

What Does the Program Support?

The purpose of the grant is to help fellows advance their doctoral research work through a residency period of five to ten months in a host
institution in a country other than their home country or country of
residence. During the research period at the host institution, the
fellows are expected to have access to essential resources such as
reference books and research publications, databases, and software;
attend seminars and eventually courses; and to benefit by interacting
with peers.

Host Institution

Candidates should be accepted or invited by a host institution which would designate an academic advisor to assist the fellow during his research
period. Host institutions should also commit to provide the fellow with
basic amenities such as office space and access to a computer, and to
facilitate his/her research activities.

Fields of Research

Candidate's field of research should be 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.

Fellowships Award

Eligible candidates are evaluated by external reviewers based on three criteria: academic performance, teaching and research experience, and relevance
of the proposed research program. The top candidates are submitted to
the Selection Committee, which includes World Bank senior experts and
Donors representatives, for final selection. In addition to the merit
criteria, the Selection Committee takes into account other factors such
as availability of budget, geographical diversity and gender balance.

Grants

Candidates are requested to submit a budget for their fellowship covering the costs related to their research program: travel; insurance and living
expenses; fees for courses and participation to seminars; and a books
and software allowance. The grant amount to be awarded to each fellow
will be decided by the Selection Committee. The maximum amount of the
grant is US$ 25,000.

Fellow’s Commitment

Fellows are required to issue two reports, a mid-term report during the fellowship period and a final report containing the results of the
research. The results of the McNamara fellows research work may be
considered for publication by the World Bank. Fellows are expected to
return to their home countries and resume their academic or research
position upon completion of the fellowship. They are also expected to
mention the McNamara fellowship award in any publication related to
their doctoral research work, including their thesis, and to provide
the Program with a copy of their thesis upon graduation.

Application Guidelines:  http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/WBI/EXTWBISFP/EXTJJWBGSP/0...