Country Africa, North America, Central America, Europe, Middle East, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Ghana
Level secondary, undergraduate, masters
Organization Mastercard Foundation
Funding fully funded Overview
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative aimed at developing the next generation of transformative leaders. It enables highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily from Africa, to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential. The program envisions a network of young people and institutions driving inclusive socio-economic change across Africa.
Coverage
This is a fully-funded scholarship program. Financial support includes, but is not limited to, tuition fees, accommodation, books and other academic materials, mentoring, counselling, and leadership development. It also covers a return air ticket to the scholar’s country of origin, if necessary. The program also provides psychosocial and academic support.
Eligibility
The scholarship is open to young people from Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Ethiopian students are eligible as the program focuses on young African leaders and has partners in Africa. Scholarships are available for secondary, undergraduate, and master's levels. PhD candidates are not currently eligible.
Requirements
Specific academic and admission requirements are set by each individual partner university or non-governmental organization (NGO) that implements the program. Applicants are advised to research the program of their choice and contact the relevant institution for detailed information. For North American universities, TOEFL and/or SAT scores may be required for international candidates. While the Mastercard Foundation cannot influence these requirements, some universities may assist with test completion, or applicants can seek support from Education USA. Some Africa-based partner universities do not require SAT or TOEFL scores.
How to apply
Interested candidates must apply directly through one of the Mastercard Foundation's partner universities or NGOs. The Mastercard Foundation itself does not manage the application process or decision-making. Applicants should research the partner institutions to find programs that align with their academic goals, then check the specific application guidelines, deadlines, and admission fees for each institution. You can apply to multiple partner universities, but be aware of the effort required for each application and potential fees.
Notes
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is highly competitive. Gaining admission to a partner institution does not guarantee selection for the scholarship. While some partner institutions may require application fees, these fees will be reimbursed if the candidate is selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The program has partners primarily in Africa, but also in North America, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East.
