The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.
We work with education institutions, NGOs, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars community to create the conditions that will enable young people to attain inclusive and relevant education, transition smoothly into dignified and fulfilling work, and lead transformative lives.
How to Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is implemented through our partner universities and non-governmental organizations. The application process and decision-making are managed individually by each partner.
If you are interested in becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, you must apply directly through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program-affiliated institution you wish to attend.
Partner institutions have their own application processes, deadlines, and admission fees. We recommend that you read through the application guidelines or contact the institution of your choice for more information. For schools that require application fees as part of the admissions process, the fees will be reimbursed if the student is selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
The Mastercard Foundation is aware of Facebook posts advertising recruitment for scholarship programs under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. These groups are not associated with the Mastercard Foundation. We urge the public to avoid engaging with these appeals and to inform us of any groups or posts claiming to be recruiting for Mastercard Foundation scholarships and requesting application fees.
Undergraduate Studies
- American University of Beirut
- Ashesi University College
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
- University of Abomey-Calavi
- University of Gondar
- EARTH University
- Makerere University
- USIU-A
- African Leadership University
- International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE)
- University of Rwanda
- University of Western Cape
Master’s Studies
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
- American University of Beirut
- Arizona State University
- Carnegie Mellon University Africa
- McGill University
- University of Oxford
- Sciences Po
- University of British Columbia
- University of Cambridge
- University of Cape Town
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Gondar
- University of Pretoria
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- University of Toronto (U of T)
- University of Western Cape
