Global Program on GovTech & Public Sector Innovation

GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration

Call for Proposals | Apply Now

The World Bank, the Republic of Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), and the National Information Society Agency (NIA) invite government institutions worldwide to apply for the GovTech Bootcamp on AI in Governance and Public Administration. The application deadline is October 2, 2026.

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.

Up to five government teams will be selected to participate in a fully funded, five-day technical bootcamp in Seoul. Participants will learn directly from practitioners who design, operate, and scale Korea's public AI systems, engage with Korean and World Bank experts, and develop practical implementation roadmaps for their own AI initiatives. Following the bootcamp, participating teams will be able to receive follow-up support and technical feedback to help advance their initiatives, depending on the strength and viability of their proposals and the expert advice provided during the program.

Who Should Apply?

This call is open to government institutions in low- and middle-income countries pursuing AI initiatives in public financial management, civil service and human resource management, citizen services, civic tech and citizen engagement, procurement, anticorruption, transparency, and other public sector applications.

Each application should nominate a two-person team: a policy leader with decision-making authority and a technical practitioner directly involved in implementation. The bootcamp will be conducted in English, with simultaneous Korean-English interpretation, and participants should be comfortable taking part in English-language discussions and workshops.

Applications will be reviewed by representatives from the World Bank, MOIS, and NIA. The strongest proposals will demonstrate a clearly defined public sector implementation challenge, a realistic and impactful AI-enabled solution that is already being developed, piloted, or deployed. Applications should demonstrate strong institutional commitment, technical feasibility, and a credible pathway toward implementation. Successful applicants should also demonstrate how participation in the bootcamp can help accelerate their initiative through exposure to Korea's experience and lessons learned.

Why This Bootcamp?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming public administration worldwide. Yet many governments face a common challenge: moving from strategies to successful implementation. While many countries have developed digital government strategies, legal frameworks, and institutional structures, practical experience in deploying and scaling AI solutions remains limited.

This hands-on GovTech Bootcamp was created to help bridge that gap through practical learning, peer exchange, and direct engagement with institutions that have successfully implemented AI solutions at scale.

Why Korea?

Korea is a global leader in public sector AI, with systems deployed at scale across public financial management, tax administration, citizen services, social welfare, and other core government functions.

Participants will work directly with Korean public and private institutions that design and operate these systems, gaining firsthand insight into implementation, institutional coordination, governance, data management, procurement, and approaches to scaling AI across government. Where relevant, they will also engage with technology providers to support system deployment.

Bootcamp Program Overview

The program consists of three phases.

1. Call for Proposals

Government institutions submit applications outlining their AI initiatives and implementation challenges. Selected teams will be invited to participate. The application deadline is October 2, 2026.

2. Seoul Bootcamp (December 7-11)

The program begins with direct exposure to Korea's public and private sector AI ecosystem through site visits and exchanges with practitioners responsible for implementing AI solutions. The second part is dedicated to a hands-on workshop, where participants will work with Korean AI practitioners and World Bank experts to refine their approaches through practical coding exercises and develop technically grounded implementation roadmaps that address algorithmic, data, and infrastructure bottlenecks, while identifying key dependencies and contingencies for successful deployment.

3. Follow-Up Support

After the bootcamp, participating teams may receive follow-up support and technical feedback to help advance their initiatives.

Key Dates

Launch of Call for Proposals	August 12, 2026
Application Deadline	October 2, 2026
Notification of Results	October 16, 2026
Seoul Bootcamp	December 7-11, 2026
Final Roadmap Submission	January 23, 2027
Selection of Follow-Up Support Teams	February 13, 2027

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Official Submission Form by October 2, 2026. Information sessions for prospective applicants will be offered across three time zones. Applicants will be asked to 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 following the bootcamp.

Applicants may also submit supporting materials, such as endorsement letters, technical diagrams, policy documents, budget commitments, or other relevant documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?
This call is open to government agencies from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as classified by the World Bank's income group methodology. 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.
Can upper-middle-income countries apply?
Yes. Upper-middle-income countries are classified as LMICs under the World Bank's income group methodology and are therefore eligible to apply.
Can a non-governmental organization (NGO) or international organization apply on behalf of a government?
No. Only government institutions may apply. The proposal must be led by and submitted on behalf of a government agency with direct institutional authority over the initiative.
Can more than one agency from the same country apply?
Yes. Multiple agencies from the same country may submit separate proposals. However, only one team per country will be selected for the bootcamp.
Can a country that has previously participated in World Bank GovTech programs apply?
Yes. Prior participation in World Bank programs does not disqualify an applicant.
Our AI initiative is still at the concept stage. Can we still apply?
Yes. Proposals at the concept, prototype, pilot, or deployment stage are all eligible. However, proposals that demonstrate concrete institutional backing and a specific, actionable plan will be prioritized over purely conceptual submissions.

Team Composition

Can we send more than two people?
No. Each selected country is allocated two participation slots. This is necessary to manage the bootcamp's intensive, small-group format and to ensure equitable access across selected countries.
What qualifies as “director-level”?
The policy lead should hold a position with genuine decision-making authority over the AI initiative — including the ability to direct resources, assign staff, and advance the initiative through institutional channels upon returning home. The exact title matters less than the scope of authority.
The technical practitioner in our team is not a programmer. Is that acceptable?
Yes, provided the person has hands-on involvement in the design or implementation of the AI solution — for example, as a data analyst, system administrator, project manager with deep technical familiarity, or someone directly overseeing a technical vendor. The key is direct, substantive engagement with the technical aspects of the initiative.
Can the two team members be from different institutions?
Yes, provided both institutions are government agencies and both members are directly involved in the same AI initiative. The lead institution must be clearly identified in the proposal.

Proposal Requirements

Does our AI initiative need to be fully developed to apply?
No. Initiatives at any stage — concept, prototype, pilot, or deployment — are eligible. What matters is the quality and specificity of the proposal, and the credibility of the institutional commitment behind it.
What does “proof of institutional backing” mean in practice?
It means documented evidence that the initiative has real organizational and/or financial support — not just individual interest. Acceptable forms include: a formal mandate or endorsement letter from senior leadership; a budget allocation letter or documented budget line; an inter-agency MOU or agreement; or a cabinet or ministerial decision. At least one supporting document must be attached.
Our budget has not been formally approved yet. Can we still apply?
Yes, provided you clearly describe the current status and articulate a realistic, specific pathway to securing the necessary resources. Proposals that demonstrate a credible funding trajectory will still be considered, though proposals with confirmed funding will score higher on the institutional support criterion.
Do we need to be familiar with Korea's AI systems before applying?
No. You are not expected to have prior knowledge of specific Korean systems. The proposal asks you to identify the thematic area of Korea's experience most relevant to your initiative, but guidance from the selection committee is available if you are unsure.
Our initiative addresses multiple thematic areas. How should we handle this?
Select all applicable thematic domains in the proposal form. In the proposal narrative, focus on the primary challenge and the AI approach most central to your initiative. Multi-sector proposals are welcome, but the problem definition and AI approach should be coherent and specific rather than broadly scoped.
Must the proposal be submitted in English?
Yes. All proposals must be submitted in English. The selection committee will not be able to review proposals submitted in other languages.

Selection Process

Who will review the proposals?
The selection committee is composed of World Bank GovTech specialists, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), and the National Information Society Agency (NIA) of the Republic of Korea.
What are the selection criteria and how are they weighted?
Proposals are assessed on four criteria:

Criterion	Weight
Public Value and Impact	25 points
Specificity of Problem Definition	25 points
Technical Feasibility and Data Availability	25 points
Risk Management and Governance Arrangements	25 points
Total	100 points

How many countries will be selected?
Between 5 and 7 countries will be selected for the bootcamp, with one two-person team per country.
Will all applicants receive feedback?
Only shortlisted applicants will be individually contacted. The GovTech team will not be able to provide individual feedback to all applicants due to the volume of submissions expected.
Will non-selected proposals be used for any other purpose?
All submitted use cases — regardless of selection outcome — may be assessed and systematized into the World Bank's global public AI knowledge asset, subject to the explicit consent of the submitting institution.

Bootcamp Logistics

Where will the bootcamp take place?
The bootcamp will be held in the Republic of Korea during the first week of December 2026. The primary venue is tentatively planned for Seoul; however, the exact location — whether Seoul, Sejong, or another city — is subject to change based on consultations with the Korean government.
Will travel and accommodation costs be covered?
Yes. International travel and accommodation costs for the two selected team members will be covered by the program. Further details on travel arrangements will be provided to selected teams upon confirmation.
Will visa support be provided?
Yes. The GovTech team will provide official invitation letters and coordinatewith relevant Korean authorities to facilitate the visa process for selected participants. Please note that the final visa decision is with Korean immigration authorities.
Will interpretation be provided during the bootcamp?
Yes. Interpretation support will be provided during sessions to ensure that language does not limit participants' ability to engage with Korean civil servant demonstrators and practitioners.
Do participants need to speak Korean?
No. All bootcamp sessions will be conducted in English with interpretation support. Korean language ability is not required.
What is expected of participants before the bootcamp?
Full attendance for all five days of the bootcamp is required. Further preparatory requirements will be communicated to selected teams upon confirmation.

Post-Bootcamp

What happens after the bootcamp?
All participating countries are expected to submit a final AI initiative implementation roadmap within 3–4 weeks of the bootcamp's close (by end of December 2026). This roadmap is a refinement of the draft developed during Days 4–5.
What is the post-bootcamp implementation support?
Some limited additional follow-up technical feedback may be provided to Bootcamp participants, contingent on the strength and viability of the initiative and the nature of the expert advice that emerged during the Bootcamp. No direct financial support will be provided. Support may include remote technical advisory, in-country visits by the World Bank GovTech team, and progress monitoring.
How will the three countries for post-bootcamp support be selected?
Selection will be based primarily on the quality of the final roadmap submitted after the bootcamp, combined with the institutional support score from the original proposal — particularly the realistic prospect of near-term deployment. The selection will be made by February 2027.
Is participation in the post-bootcamp support guaranteed for selected bootcamp countries?
No. Post-bootcamp support is subject to resource availability and will be limited to up to three countries. All bootcamp participants are encouraged to submit strong final roadmaps to be considered.

Use of Submitted Information

Will our proposal be shared with third parties?
Proposals will be reviewed solely by the selection committee (World Bank GovTech team, MOIS, and NIA). They will not be shared with other applicants or external parties without your consent.
What happens to the use cases we submit?
All submitted use cases may be assessed and, with your institution's explicit consent, systematized into the World Bank's global public AI knowledge base and shared through the World Bank's AI Repository and GovTech Global Partnership network. This is entirely voluntary and will not affect your selection outcome.

This FAQ will be updated on a rolling basis throughout the submission period. For questions not addressed here, please contact the GovTech team at govtechbootcamp@worldbank.org