The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers full scholarships to talented young Africans at partner universities in Africa and around the world. Scholarships usually cover tuition, accommodation, travel, a living stipend and leadership support, though the exact package varies by university.
Here are 8 opportunities open now or opening soon for 2027, sorted by deadline, so you can see what to prepare first.
Always confirm on the official page. Each university has its own eligibility rules, application process and dates.
Deadlines in October and November 2026
1. University of Cape Town, South Africa (Postgraduate)
- Deadline: 31 October 2026 for eligible postgraduate programmes
- Undergraduate applications for 2027 are already closed
- Official page
2. African Leadership College of Higher Education, Mauritius (Undergraduate)
- Deadline: 14 November 2026 for international students; 23 January 2027 for Mauritian students
- Full-ride scholarships covering full tuition plus extra financial support for eligible applicants
- Official page
3. African Leadership University, Rwanda (Undergraduate)
Deadlines in December 2026 and January 2027
4. Sciences Po, France (Master's)
- The 2027 cycle runs from October to mid-December 2026 for Mastercard Foundation eligibility and the application-fee waiver
- Check the official page for the exact timeline
- Official page
5. University of California, Berkeley, USA (Master's)
- Applications run from September 2026 to early January 2027, depending on the programme; most deadlines fall in December
- To be considered for an application-fee waiver, complete the preliminary information by 15 November
- Official page
6. University of Cambridge, UK (Master's)
- Open now. Deadlines depend on the course, generally early December 2026 or early January 2027
- Covers full tuition, a maintenance allowance and other support
- Official page
7. Carnegie Mellon University Africa, Rwanda (Master's)
- Applications opened 1 October 2026. Early deadline: 15 December 2026. Final deadline: 15 January 2027
- Eligible programmes: Information Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Engineering Artificial Intelligence
- Official page
8. EARTH University, Costa Rica (Undergraduate)
- Application period: 15 October 2026 to 31 January 2027
- Official page
Bonus: Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship
Queen's University, Canada. This isn't a degree programme, but an 8-month entrepreneurship programme for African students and recent graduates, with training, mentorship, financial support and help developing a business.
More partner universities
The Mastercard Foundation works with many more universities. See the full list of partner institutions and their application status.
Tips for applying
- Start with the closest deadlines. UCT closes on 31 October, and ALCHE and ALU in November.
- Show your commitment to giving back. The Mastercard Foundation looks for young people who want to improve their communities and Africa.
- Show financial need honestly. These scholarships are for talented students who couldn't otherwise afford university.
- Prepare your documents early: transcripts, recommendation letters, a personal essay and proof of financial circumstances.
- Never pay anyone to apply. Mastercard Foundation scholarships are free to apply for through the universities' official websites.
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