World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp 2026 in South Korea | Fully Funded
The World Bank invites government institutions from low and middle income countries to apply for the 2026 GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration. This five-day intensive program, organized in partnership with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA), offers selected teams a fully funded opportunity to accelerate their AI initiatives.
What the Bootcamp Offers
Selected teams receive comprehensive support to advance their AI projects:
- Full international travel coverage for two team members
- Accommodation during the five-day program
- Visa facilitation through official invitation letters
- Follow-up technical support after the bootcamp
- Exposure to Korea’s public-sector AI ecosystem through site visits
The program focuses on practical implementation rather than theoretical concepts. Participants learn directly from Korean practitioners who design, operate, and scale public AI systems, and work with World Bank experts to refine their technical approaches.
Who Should Apply
The call targets government agencies in low- and middle-income countries developing, piloting, or deploying AI solutions for public-sector challenges. Eligible areas include public financial management, citizen services, civil service, civic technology, procurement, anti-corruption, transparency, and other government functions.
Each application must nominate a two-person team:
- A policy leader with genuine decision-making authority
- A technical practitioner directly involved in implementation
Proposals at any stage—concept, prototype, pilot, or deployment—are eligible. Strong applicants demonstrate concrete institutional backing and a clearly defined implementation challenge rather than purely conceptual ideas.
Program Structure and Timeline
- Phase 1: Call for Proposals (August–October 2026): Government institutions submit applications describing their AI initiatives, implementation challenges, technical readiness, institutional support, and learning objectives.
- Phase 2: Seoul Bootcamp (December 7–11, 2026): Teams participate in site visits to Korea’s public and private AI ecosystem, followed by hands-on workshops to refine implementation roadmaps addressing algorithmic, data, and infrastructure challenges.
- Phase 3: Follow-Up Support (January–February 2027): Selected teams may receive additional technical feedback to advance their initiatives, depending on proposal viability.
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: October 2, 2026
- Notification of Results: October 16, 2026
- Final Roadmap Submission: January 23, 2027
- Selection of Follow-Up Support Teams: February 13, 2027
How to Apply
Submit applications through the official World Bank submission form by October 2, 2026. Supporting materials such as endorsement letters, technical diagrams, policy documents, and budget commitments can strengthen proposals. Information sessions for prospective applicants will be offered across three time zones.
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