The World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp 2026 is a five-day, in-person program for government institutions in low- and middle-income countries that are developing, piloting, or deploying an AI solution for public administration. Selected institutions nominate a two-person team to attend the bootcamp in the Republic of Korea from December 7–11, 2026. The official application deadline is October 2, 2026.
| Key fact | Official detail |
|---|---|
| Organizer | World Bank, Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and National Information Society Agency |
| Who applies | A government institution—not an individual applicant |
| Team | One policy leader and one technical practitioner |
| Location | Republic of Korea; the exact host city remains subject to confirmation |
| Bootcamp dates | December 7–11, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 2, 2026 |
| Language | English, with Korean–English interpretation during relevant sessions |
| Covered costs | International travel and accommodation for the two selected team members |
Important: this is not a general scholarship, student course, or individual fellowship. The application must be submitted on behalf of an eligible government agency that has authority over the proposed AI initiative.
Eligibility requirements
An application is eligible when it is led by a government institution in a country classified by the World Bank as low income, lower-middle income, or upper-middle income. The agency must be working on an AI-enabled public-sector initiative that addresses a defined governance or administrative problem.
- The lead applicant must be a government institution.
- The AI initiative may be at concept, prototype, pilot, or deployment stage.
- The proposal must describe a specific public-sector challenge and a realistic AI-enabled response.
- The application and proposal must be submitted in English.
- At least one document showing institutional backing must be attached.
- Both nominated participants must be available for the full five-day program.
NGOs and international organizations cannot apply on behalf of a government. Two people from different agencies may form a team only when both organizations are government bodies and both nominees work on the same initiative. Applicants can verify their country’s current classification using the World Bank country and lending groups list.
Required two-person team
| Team member | Expected role |
|---|---|
| Policy leader | A senior official with genuine authority to direct resources, assign staff, and move the initiative through institutional channels. |
| Technical practitioner | A person directly involved in the design or implementation of the AI solution, such as a data analyst, systems administrator, technical project manager, or official overseeing a vendor. |
The technical representative does not have to be a software programmer, but must have substantive, hands-on knowledge of the proposed system. A strong application should show that the policy and technical nominees can jointly convert the bootcamp lessons into an implementable roadmap.
Suitable AI and GovTech themes
The official call welcomes proposals involving public financial management, civil service and human resources, citizen services, civic technology, citizen engagement, procurement, anticorruption, transparency, and other public-sector applications. A multi-sector proposal is allowed, but the World Bank advises applicants to keep the central problem and AI approach coherent and specific.
Funding and participant costs
The program states that it will cover international travel and accommodation for the two selected representatives. It will also provide official invitation letters and coordinate with Korean authorities to facilitate visa processing. However, visa approval remains the decision of Korean immigration authorities.
Applicants should not assume that every personal expense is covered. The official page does not promise a stipend, salary, cash award, dependent travel, local personal expenses, or direct funding for the proposed AI project. Post-bootcamp support may include technical advice, monitoring, or an in-country visit for a limited number of teams, but the World Bank explicitly says that this follow-up does not include direct financial support.
Key dates and program stages
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for proposals launched | August 12, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 2, 2026 |
| Notification of results | October 16, 2026 |
| Bootcamp in Korea | December 7–11, 2026 |
| Final roadmap submission | January 23, 2027 |
| Selection of follow-up support teams | February 13, 2027 |
The official page also describes a roadmap submission within several weeks after the bootcamp. Applicants should follow the dates shown on the live World Bank page and any instructions sent directly to shortlisted teams if later communications differ.
Selection criteria
Applications are reviewed by specialists from the World Bank, Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the National Information Society Agency. The published assessment gives equal weight to four criteria.
| Criterion | Weight | What a strong proposal should demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| Public value and impact | 25 points | A meaningful improvement in public administration or service delivery. |
| Problem definition | 25 points | A specific, evidence-based challenge rather than a broad AI ambition. |
| Technical feasibility and data | 25 points | Realistic technology, accessible data, and an implementable approach. |
| Risk management and governance | 25 points | Attention to privacy, security, bias, oversight, procurement, and institutional responsibility. |
The official page currently contains two different statements about cohort size: its overview says up to five teams, while its FAQ says five to seven countries. Because the quota is inconsistent on the same primary source, applicants should treat the final selection number as subject to confirmation. Only shortlisted applicants are expected to receive individual contact.
Documents and information to prepare
- A clear description of the public-sector problem.
- The proposed AI solution and its current development stage.
- Available data, technical readiness, infrastructure, and dependencies.
- Institutional roles, implementation risks, governance safeguards, and intended public value.
- Learning objectives and the steps the team will take after the bootcamp.
- At least one document proving institutional backing, such as an endorsement letter, budget document, inter-agency agreement, or formal mandate.
Optional supporting materials can include technical diagrams, policy documents, and evidence of budget commitment. The application should disclose genuine constraints instead of overstating readiness.
Application steps
- Confirm that the applying institution and country meet the official eligibility rules.
- Select the policy leader and technical practitioner for the same AI initiative.
- Define one concrete governance problem and explain why AI is an appropriate tool.
- Gather evidence of institutional backing and any useful technical attachments.
- Complete the official form in English before October 2, 2026.
- Save a copy of the submitted answers and monitor the institutional contact email for a result.
Read the official World Bank call and FAQ before submitting. When the institution is ready, use the official World Bank application form.
Readers seeking other current opportunities may also review the World Bank Treasury Summer Internship and the GCF internship in South Korea. Each program has separate eligibility and deadlines.
Practical application tips
- Lead with the public problem and affected users, not with a fashionable AI model.
- Quantify the current service gap where reliable administrative data exist.
- Explain who owns the data and how privacy, cybersecurity, bias, and human oversight will be managed.
- Show an achievable path from the current stage to a pilot or scaled deployment.
- Make the responsibilities of both team members explicit.
- Attach concrete evidence that senior leadership supports implementation after the bootcamp.
Frequently asked questions
Can an individual apply for the World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp?
No. The applicant must be an eligible government institution, and the proposal must nominate a two-person team.
Are upper-middle-income countries eligible?
Yes. The official FAQ says upper-middle-income countries are eligible under the World Bank income-group methodology used for this call.
Does the AI project need to be fully developed?
No. Concept, prototype, pilot, and deployed initiatives may apply, although specific proposals with credible institutional backing are more competitive.
Can the two nominees work for different agencies?
Yes, if both are government institutions, both people work on the same AI initiative, and the lead institution is identified clearly.
What costs does the program cover?
The program states that international travel and accommodation for the two selected participants are covered. It does not advertise a stipend or direct project grant.
Is Korean-language ability required?
No. Sessions are conducted in English, with Korean–English interpretation support where needed.
When is the application deadline?
The official deadline is October 2, 2026. Applicants should submit early enough to resolve institutional approval or document-upload problems.
Final check before submission
This opportunity is best suited to a government team with a defined AI-enabled public administration use case, institutional authority, accessible data, and a credible implementation plan. Verify every detail on the official World Bank page immediately before submitting because the organizer may clarify logistics, cohort size, or supporting-document instructions during the call period.