The World Bank, together with the Republic of Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and the National Information Society Agency (NIA), invites government institutions worldwide to apply for the GovTech Bootcamp on AI in Governance and Public Administration. Up to five to seven government teams from low- and middle-income countries will be selected for a fully funded, five-day technical bootcamp in Seoul in December 2026. The application deadline is 2 October 2026.
Fit note: this call is aimed at government institutions in low- and middle-income countries applying as two-person official teams, not at individuals, so for the wider Youth Works Hub audience it is a niche opportunity.
About the Programme
This initiative targets government institutions in low- and middle-income countries that are developing, piloting or deploying AI-enabled solutions to strengthen public administration, service delivery, transparency, efficiency and citizen engagement. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming public administration, yet many governments face a common challenge: moving from strategies to successful implementation. The bootcamp was created to help bridge that gap through practical learning, peer exchange and direct engagement with institutions that have implemented AI solutions at scale. Korea is a global leader in public sector AI, with systems deployed across public financial management, tax administration, citizen services and social welfare, and participants work directly with the Korean public and private institutions that design and operate them.
What's Covered
Up to five government teams will be selected for a fully funded, five-day technical bootcamp in Seoul, learning directly from practitioners who design, operate and scale Korea's public AI systems and engaging with Korean and World Bank experts:
✈️ International travel and accommodation costs for the two selected team members are covered by the programme.
🛂 Official invitation letters and coordination with Korean authorities to facilitate the visa process (the final visa decision rests with Korean immigration).
🗣️ Interpretation support during sessions, so language does not limit engagement (all sessions are in English with simultaneous Korean-English interpretation; Korean is not required).
🤝 Follow-up support and technical feedback after the bootcamp, depending on the strength and viability of proposals.
Who Should Apply
The call is open to government agencies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as classified by the World Bank's income group methodology; upper-middle-income countries are also classified as LMICs and are therefore eligible. The applying institution must be developing, piloting or deploying an AI tool or application for the public sector that addresses a specific governance or administrative challenge. Only government institutions may apply, and the proposal must be led by and submitted on behalf of a government agency with direct institutional authority. Multiple agencies from the same country may submit separate proposals, but only one team per country will be selected.
Each application nominates a two-person team: a policy leader with genuine decision-making authority over the AI initiative, and a technical practitioner directly involved in implementation (not necessarily a programmer, but someone with hands-on involvement such as a data analyst, system administrator or a project manager with deep technical familiarity). Proposals at the concept, prototype, pilot or deployment stage are all eligible, though those with concrete institutional backing and a specific, actionable plan are prioritised.
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The Three Phases
📢 Call for proposals: government institutions submit applications outlining their AI initiatives and implementation challenges, with a deadline of 2 October 2026.
🇰🇷 Seoul bootcamp (7 to 11 December 2026): direct exposure to Korea's public and private sector AI ecosystem through site visits and exchanges, followed by a hands-on workshop where participants refine their approaches through practical coding exercises and develop technically grounded implementation roadmaps.
🔄 Follow-up support: after the bootcamp, participating teams may receive follow-up support and technical feedback to help advance their initiatives.
Selection Criteria
Proposals are assessed on four criteria, each worth 25 points: public value and impact; specificity of problem definition; technical feasibility and data availability; and risk management and governance arrangements. Between 5 and 7 countries will be selected for the bootcamp, with one two-person team per country. Applications are reviewed by representatives from the World Bank, MOIS and NIA, and only shortlisted applicants are contacted individually.
Key Dates
🗓️ Launch of call for proposals: 12 August 2026.
🗓️ Application deadline: 2 October 2026.
🗓️ Notification of results: 16 October 2026.
🗓️ Seoul bootcamp: 7 to 11 December 2026.
🗓️ Final roadmap submission: 23 January 2027.
🗓️ Selection of follow-up support teams: 13 February 2027.
Post-Bootcamp Support
All participating countries are expected to submit a final AI initiative implementation roadmap within 3 to 4 weeks of the bootcamp's close. Some limited follow-up technical feedback may be provided, contingent on the strength and viability of the initiative; no direct financial support is provided. Support may include remote technical advisory, in-country visits by the World Bank GovTech team and progress monitoring, and is limited to up to three countries, selected mainly on the quality of the final roadmap combined with the institutional support score from the original proposal.
What Your Application Needs
Applicants describe the public sector challenge being addressed, the proposed AI solution, technical and data readiness, institutional support, implementation risks, learning objectives and planned next steps after the bootcamp. Supporting materials may include endorsement letters, technical diagrams, policy documents, budget commitments or other relevant documents; at least one document showing institutional backing (a formal mandate or endorsement letter, a budget allocation, an inter-agency MOU, or a cabinet or ministerial decision) should be attached.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted in English through the official submission form by 2 October 2026; proposals in other languages cannot be reviewed. Information sessions for prospective applicants are offered across three time zones.
Deadline
⏳ 02 October 2026
Links
📝 Application form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=wP6iMWsmZ0y1bieW2PWcNigJic4vM3lNsxUUZiF6RddUQTFPWk03V0FTOU5XVkVTUkdFNjJGQVZMQi4u
🌐 Official page: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/govtech/govtech-bootcamp-for-ai-in-governance-and-public-administration
⚠️ Important Notice
Youth Works Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the listed projects. This listing is shared for information only, based on details from the source. Deadlines, eligible countries, dates, and other details may change or be withdrawn at any time, and all funding, reimbursements, and allowances are set by the project coordinator or National Agency. Applications go directly to the coordinator or hosting organisation through the official link. Listings may include third-party links (ESC Portal, infopacks, forms) that Youth Works Hub does not control. Always verify the details on the official project page before applying.
