The GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration 2026 is a fully funded, five-day technical programme for government institutions working on AI-enabled public-sector solutions. Organized by the World Bank with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and National Information Society Agency (NIA), the bootcamp will take place in Korea from 7–11 December 2026. Applications must be submitted by 2 October 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration
Category: Technical Bootcamp / GovTech Programme
Organizers: World Bank, MOIS, and NIA
Country: Republic of Korea
Duration: Five days
Programme Dates: 7–11 December 2026
Funding Status: Fully Funded
Application Deadline: 2 October 2026
About the GovTech AI Bootcamp 2026
The programme is designed for government institutions in low- and middle-income countries that are developing, piloting, or deploying AI-enabled solutions for public administration.
The bootcamp focuses on moving AI initiatives from strategy and planning toward practical implementation. Participants will engage with Korean practitioners, public institutions, technology actors, and World Bank experts.
Relevant public-sector applications may include:
• Public financial management
• Civil service and human resource management
• Citizen services
• Civic technology and citizen engagement
• Procurement
• Anticorruption
• Transparency
• Other public-sector applications
Programme Structure
The GovTech AI Bootcamp follows three main phases.
Phase 1: Call for Proposals
Government institutions submit proposals describing an AI initiative and the implementation challenge they are working to address.
Projects may be at the:
• Concept stage
• Prototype stage
• Pilot stage
• Deployment stage
Applicants should demonstrate institutional backing and present a specific, actionable approach to implementation.
Phase 2: Technical Bootcamp in Korea
Selected teams will participate in the five-day bootcamp from 7–11 December 2026.
The programme includes:
✓ Engagement with Korean public and private institutions
✓ Site visits and exchanges with AI practitioners
✓ Practical technical workshops
✓ Coding exercises
✓ Guidance from World Bank and Korean experts
✓ Development of an AI implementation roadmap
✓ Learning on governance, data, infrastructure, procurement, and institutional coordination
Phase 3: Follow-Up Support
Following the bootcamp, participating teams may receive additional technical feedback and implementation support.
The availability of this support depends on factors including the quality and viability of the initiative, the final implementation roadmap, expert assessment, and available resources.
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Who Can Apply?
The call is open to government institutions in low- and middle-income countries.
The applying government agency must be working on an AI tool or application that addresses a specific governance or public-administration challenge.
Non-governmental organisations and international organisations cannot apply on behalf of a government institution.
Multiple government agencies from the same country may submit separate proposals.
Required Team Composition
Each application must nominate a two-person team.
The team should include:
• A policy leader with genuine decision-making authority over the AI initiative
• A technical practitioner directly involved in designing or implementing the solution
The technical team member does not need to be a programmer. However, they should have direct technical involvement with the initiative.
Examples may include a data analyst, system administrator, technically knowledgeable project manager, or a person directly supervising a technical vendor.
Both members may come from different government agencies if they are directly involved in the same initiative.
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Funding and Programme Support
The World Bank describes the bootcamp as fully funded for selected participants.
Confirmed support includes:
✓ International travel costs
✓ Accommodation costs
✓ Official invitation letters for visa purposes
✓ Coordination with relevant Korean authorities to facilitate the visa process
✓ Korean-English interpretation support during programme sessions
The final visa decision remains with the relevant Korean immigration authorities.
All bootcamp sessions will be conducted in English, with interpretation support where needed. Korean language knowledge is not required.
Proposal Requirements
Applicants must describe the AI initiative and the public-sector problem it is intended to address.
The application asks institutions to provide information covering areas such as:
• Public-sector implementation challenge
• Proposed AI-enabled solution
• Technical readiness
• Data readiness
• Institutional support
• Implementation risks
• Learning objectives
• Planned next steps following the bootcamp
At least one document demonstrating institutional backing must be attached.
Examples of acceptable institutional support evidence include:
• Formal mandate or endorsement letter from senior leadership
• Budget allocation letter or documented budget line
• Inter-agency memorandum or agreement
• Cabinet or ministerial decision
Applications must be submitted in English.
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Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by representatives of the World Bank GovTech team, MOIS, and NIA.
Proposals are assessed across four equally weighted criteria:
• Public Value and Impact
• Specificity of Problem Definition
• Technical Feasibility and Data Availability
• Risk Management and Governance Arrangements
Strong applications should present a clearly defined public-sector challenge, a realistic AI solution, institutional commitment, and a credible pathway toward implementation.
Proposals with concrete institutional backing and actionable plans are prioritised over applications based only on general concepts.
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What Participants Will Learn
The bootcamp combines exposure to operational AI systems with practical implementation work.
Participants will explore areas including:
✓ Implementation of AI in government
✓ Institutional coordination
✓ AI governance
✓ Data management
✓ Public-sector procurement
✓ Technical infrastructure
✓ Algorithmic and data bottlenecks
✓ Scaling AI solutions across government
Teams will also work on implementation roadmaps designed around their own AI initiatives.
Key Dates
• Call for Proposals launched: 12 August 2026
• Application deadline: 2 October 2026
• Notification of results: 16 October 2026
• GovTech AI Bootcamp: 7–11 December 2026
Apply Here
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions and Official Submission Form provided on the World Bank page.
View the Official GovTech AI Bootcamp for Governance and Public Administration Page
