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Applications are now open for the World Bank GovTech AI Bootcamp 2026. Hosted in Seoul, Republic of Korea, this fully funded, five-day intensive program is organized by the World Bank Group in collaboration with South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA).
The program is specifically tailored for government institutions from low- and middle-income countries that are actively planning, piloting, or deploying artificial intelligence solutions to transform public sector governance and administrative services.
Program Overview
- Program Name: GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration
- Organizers: World Bank, Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), National Information Society Agency (NIA)
- Host Location: Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Bootcamp Dates: December 7–11, 2026
- Duration: 5 Days
- Funding: Fully Funded
- Application Deadline: October 2, 2026
Financial Benefits & Coverage
Selected public sector delegates will receive full financial support to attend the program in Seoul, including:
- International Airfare: Round-trip economy flight coverage to South Korea.
- Accommodation: Fully paid hotel lodging for the duration of the bootcamp.
- Program Access: Complete coverage for workshops, field site visits, technical exercises, and expert mentoring sessions.
- Visa Facilitation: Official invitation letters provided by the organizing bodies to expedite visa processing.
Bootcamp Structure & Focus Areas
Designed to help governments move beyond general policy ambitions toward practical software implementation, participants will work directly with Korean public sector practitioners and World Bank specialists. The program focuses on creating an actionable AI implementation roadmap for each participating agency's specific project.
Eligible project domains include:
- Public Financial Management & Taxation
- Civil Service & HR Management
- Citizen Services & Digital Government
- Civic Technology & Citizen Engagement
- Public Procurement
- Anti-Corruption & Transparency Systems
Eligibility Criteria & Team Composition
To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following institutional criteria:
- Eligible Countries: Must be an official government agency located in a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) as defined by World Bank classification.
- Project Maturity: Must possess a concrete AI initiative at the concept, prototype, pilot, or active deployment stage addressing a real public-sector challenge.
- Team Requirement: Applications must represent a two-person team from the same government institution, consisting of:
- Policy Leader: A senior official holding decision-making authority over the AI project.
- Technical Practitioner: A technical specialist directly involved in system design, data architecture, or implementation.
Selection & Program Timeline
- Application Deadline: October 2, 2026
- Results Notification: October 16, 2026
- Seoul Bootcamp: December 7–11, 2026
- Final Roadmap Submission: January 23, 2027
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the official World Bank Group portal:
- Prepare a detailed proposal narrative outlining the public sector problem, technical and data readiness, implementation risks, and learning objectives.
- Gather required supporting documentation, such as official endorsement letters, policy frameworks, technical architecture diagrams, or budget approvals.
- Submit the completed multi-person application form via the official online submission system prior to October 2, 2026.