Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for African Students

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for African Students is a global initiative designed to develop the next generation of transformative leaders in Africa by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential.

This program identifies talented young people facing the highest social and economic barriers to opportunity and those in hard-to-reach communities, primarily in Africa, and supports their secondary and higher education and leadership development.

Where to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Find the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program-affiliated institution you wish to attend.

• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
• African Leadership University (ALU)
• American University of Beirut
• Arizona State University (ASU)
• Ashesi University College
• University of Cambridge
• Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa)
• Earth University
• International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE)
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST)
• Makerere University
• McGill University
• Pan-Atlantic University
• SciencesPo
• UC Berkeley
• United States International University-Africa (USIU-A)
• Université Gaston Berger (UGB)
• Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique
• University of Abomey-Calavi
• University of Cape Town (UCT)
• University of Colorado
• University of Edinburgh (UofE)
• University of Global Health Equity
• University of Gondar
• University of Oxford
• University of Pretoria (UP)
• University of Rwanda
• University of the Western Cape
• University of Toronto (U of T)

Apply for Chevening Scholarship for International Students in UK 2025-2026.

Scholarship benefits

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides financial, psychosocial, and academic support to Mastercard Foundation Scholars. Financial support includes, but is not limited to, tuition fees, accommodation, books and other academic materials, mentoring, counselling, leadership development, and a return air ticket to a Mastercard Foundation Scholar’s country of origin, if necessary.

Eligible programs

The scholarship is managed by different partner institutions. Each partner institution offers different programs and has their own timelines for admission, fees, and application guidelines. We recommend that you research the program of your choice and contact the relevant institution for more information.

Eligible programs depends on your chosen partner institution.

How to apply

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is managed through partner universities and non-governmental organizations. The application process and decision-making are managed by the partners. If you are interested in becoming a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, please apply through one of the partner universities above.

Each partner institution offers different programs and has their own timelines for admission, fees, and application guidelines. We recommend that you research the program of your choice and contact the relevant institution for more information.

Application deadline

Each partner in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program sets their own deadline. Please check the Program website of the partner institution(s) of your choice for the specific deadline.

Visit the scholarship official website.