World Bank Group Global Program on GovTech & Public Sector Innovation 2026

Applications are open for the World Bank Group Global Program on GovTech & Public Sector Innovation 2026, an opportunity for government institutions in low- and middle-income countries developing, piloting, or deploying artificial intelligence solutions for public administration and governance.

The initiative is organized by the World Bank, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), and the National Information Society Agency (NIA). It will bring selected government teams to Seoul for a fully funded, five-day technical bootcamp focused on the practical use of AI in government.

The programme is particularly relevant to public institutions using AI to improve government services, public financial management, citizen engagement, procurement, transparency, human-resource management, anticorruption efforts and other public-sector functions.

About the GovTech Programme

The World Bank's Global Program on GovTech and Public Sector Innovation supports governments in using technology and data to improve public-sector effectiveness, service delivery and citizen engagement. The wider GovTech approach focuses on digital transformation, citizen-centred services, accessibility and stronger government systems.

The 2026 AI Bootcamp provides a more focused opportunity for government institutions that already have an AI initiative or are working toward implementing one.

Rather than being a general AI training programme for individual applicants, this opportunity is designed for government teams working on real public-sector challenges. Participants will learn from Korean practitioners and World Bank experts who have experience designing and implementing AI systems at government scale.

Fellowship and Bootcamp Benefits

Selected teams will benefit from:

• Fully funded participation in the five-day Seoul bootcamp.
• Exposure to Korea's public-sector AI ecosystem.
• Engagement with Korean government and technology practitioners.
• Interaction with World Bank GovTech experts.
• Practical technical workshops.
• Opportunities to examine real-world AI implementations.
• Support in identifying technical, data and infrastructure challenges.
• Development of an implementation roadmap for the participating government's AI initiative.
• Potential follow-up technical support after the bootcamp.
• International networking with government professionals working on digital transformation.

Who Can Apply?

This opportunity is not open to individual students, entrepreneurs or NGOs applying independently.Only government institutions can apply. The application must be submitted on behalf of a government agency that has direct institutional authority over the AI initiative.

Eligible institutions must be located in countries classified by the World Bank as low- or middle-income countries. Upper-middle-income countries are also included under the programme's eligibility definition.

The applying institution must be developing, piloting or deploying an AI tool or application that addresses a specific governance or administrative challenge.

Projects may be at different stages, including:

• Concept stage
• Prototype stage
• Pilot stage
• Deployment stage

Eligible Areas

Government initiatives can focus on a broad range of public-sector applications of AI.

Relevant areas include:

• Public financial management
• Civil service and human-resource management
• Citizen services
• Civic technology
• Citizen engagement
• Public procurement
• Anticorruption
• Transparency
• Public administration
• Government data systems
• Digital service delivery
• Other public-sector applications of artificial intelligence.

Application Requirements

Applicants will be asked to provide information about their proposed AI initiative, including:

• The public-sector problem being addressed.
• The proposed AI solution.
• Technical readiness.
• Data readiness.
• Institutional support.
• Implementation risks.
• Learning objectives.
• Plans following the bootcamp.
• Expected next steps.

Applicants may also provide supporting materials such as:

• Endorsement letters.
• Technical diagrams.
• Policy documents.
• Budget commitments.
• Other relevant supporting documentation.

Selection Process

The quality of the proposed initiative will be important. Applicants should clearly demonstrate:

• A well-defined public-sector challenge.
• A realistic AI solution.
• Institutional ownership.
• Technical and data readiness.
• A credible implementation plan.
• Awareness of potential risks.
• Clear learning objectives.
• A realistic pathway toward deployment or scaling.

How to Apply

Government institutions interested in participating should:

1. Confirm that their country meets the World Bank's income-group eligibility requirements.
2. Identify an existing or developing AI initiative addressing a concrete public-sector challenge.
3. Assemble a two-person team consisting of a policy leader and technical practitioner.
4. Prepare information about the problem, proposed solution and implementation status.
5. Explain the institution's technical and data readiness.
6. Describe institutional support and implementation risks.
7. Define clear learning objectives for the Seoul bootcamp.
8. Explain the intended next steps after the programme.
9. Attach relevant supporting documents where appropriate.
10. Submit the official application before the deadline.

The official programme page provides the application form and additional information for prospective applicants.