The World Bank Group Global Program on GovTech & Public Sector Innovation 2026 invites government institutions from low- and middle-income countries to apply for a fully funded, five-day GovTech Bootcamp in Seoul, focusing on AI in governance and public administration. Selected teams will learn from Korean practitioners and experts, develop implementation roadmaps for their AI initiatives, and may receive follow-up support. Applications close October 2, 2026.
By World Bank Group
The World Bank Group Global Program on GovTech & Public Sector Innovation 2026 is an initiative by the World Bank, the Republic of Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), and the National Information Society Agency (NIA). It offers a GovTech Bootcamp on AI in Governance and Public Administration, targeting government institutions in low- and middle-income countries. The program aims to strengthen public administration, service delivery, transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement through AI-enabled solutions. Participants will gain insights from practitioners involved in designing, operating, and scaling Korea's public AI systems. They will also engage with Korean and World Bank experts to develop practical implementation roadmaps for their own AI initiatives. The bootcamp is designed to provide hands-on learning and expert guidance. Following the bootcamp, participating teams have the potential to receive follow-up support and technical feedback. This support is contingent on the strength and viability of their proposals, as well as the expert advice provided throughout the program. The goal is to help advance their AI initiatives beyond the bootcamp. Up to five government teams will be selected to participate in a fully funded, five-day technical bootcamp, which will be held in Seoul. This program offers a unique opportunity for government agencies to enhance their capabilities in deploying AI for public sector innovation.
Open to government agencies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as classified by the World Bank’s income group methodology. This includes upper-middle-income countries. 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 over the initiative. While multiple agencies from the same country may submit separate proposals, only one team per country will be selected for the bootcamp. Prior participation in World Bank programs does not disqualify an applicant. Proposals at concept, prototype, pilot, or deployment stages are eligible, with priority given to those demonstrating concrete institutional backing and a specific, actionable plan over purely conceptual submissions.