Every year, motivated professionals from developing countries apply for the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP) to pursue the MSc Urban Management and Development at IHS. The funding programme gives candidates the opportunity to build knowledge, develop leadership skills, and return to their home countries ready to make a lasting impact their local communities. During our recent information session on Scholarship opportunities at IHS, student representative and World Bank awardee from Uganda, Johnson Nangalama, shared valuable advice for applicants preparing to apply for the scholarship.
What the World Bank Scholarship looks for
According to Johnson, the World Bank selection committee evaluates applications based on four key factors:
- Quality of professional experience
You should be able to demonstrate your hands-on contribution to development-related work. Quantify your achievements, mention how many people your project reached or what outcomes it achieved. - Quality of professional recommendations
Choose supervisors from your professional experience rather than academic referees. They should be able to confirm your development-related achievements with measurable examples. - Commitment to your home country
You need to show a clear plan of how you will apply your IHS education back home. Describe how the programme’s modules align with the challenges your city or community faces. - Educational background
Highlight strong academic preparation and how the MSc in Urban Management and Development complements or builds on it.
What documents you will need
Before submitting your application, make sure you have two professional recommendation letters ready. Johnson advises to submit references by people who have direct knowledge of your professional work experience (e.g., supervisors). The other documents that you will need to submit within the form include:
- Proof of work experience (min. 3 years)
Documents proving recent development-related employment (both past and current). Examples: contracts, employer statements, HR letters. - Academic degree certificate(s)
Bachelor’s degree certificate and, if applicable, your most advanced graduate degree (e.g., Master’s). Do not upload transcripts and do not use them as a substitute for the diploma. - CV (JJ/WBGSP Format)
The document must follow the official JJ/WBGSP CV format. - IHS unconditional Admission Letter
💡 Tip: The World Bank recommends drafting your answers in a Word document first, as each essay question has a word limit (usually around 300 words). Use this time to create thoughtful, impactful answers before submitting.
Set yourself apart
Successful applicants go beyond listing duties. They demonstrate impact. “Don’t just say you helped people register land,” Johnson shared. “Say how many people you helped, what problem you solved, and how that improved their lives. Concrete results speak louder than general statements.” Keeping that mindset throughout your application can make your submission stronger and more memorable.
“Take your time. Reflect, quantify, and connect your story with your country’s development needs. That’s what makes your application genuine and powerful.”
Johnson Nangalama, IHS Master student and World Bank awardee
Apply to IHS first
Submit your IHS application by 22 February 2026 to receive your admission outcome in time.
The JJ/WBGSP opens a call period each year, during which applicants can apply for the scholarship. First, make sure you have carefully checked the eligibility criteria on our website. If you have secured unconditional admission to the academic programme and come from an eligible country for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, you will receive further instructions on the scholarship application from the IHS Admissions Office (admission@ihs.nl). If you have questions about the World Bank scholarship or other funding options, please contact our team at courseinquiries@ihs.nl.
