Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027: Partner Universities, Eligibility and How to Apply

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the largest scholarship scheme aimed at young Africans. Since 2012 it has committed more than 58,000 scholarships, and the Foundation has set a goal of 100,000 by 2030. It pays for secondary school, undergraduate and master’s study at partner institutions in Africa and around the world.

It is also one of the most misunderstood scholarships. Thousands of applicants search every year for “the Mastercard Foundation application form”, and no such form exists. This guide explains how the program is really organised, where you can apply and how to give yourself a fair chance for the 2027 intake.

Read also: The Complete Guide to the Commonwealth Scholarship

The most important fact: there is no central application

The Foundation does not select scholars itself. It funds a network of partner universities and non-governmental organisations, and each partner runs its own admissions and selection. To become a Mastercard Foundation Scholar you apply directly to a partner institution, following that institution’s process and deadlines.

Three consequences follow from this:

• Requirements, deadlines and documents differ from one partner to another. What you read about one university does not apply to the rest
• You may apply to as many partners as you wish, although each application takes real effort
• Admission to a partner university does not guarantee the scholarship. The scholarship is a separate, competitive selection

The Foundation states plainly that it never asks individuals for money. If a partner charges a normal university application fee, it is refunded when you are selected. Any website, WhatsApp group or Facebook page asking for a “Mastercard scholarship registration fee” is a scam.

What the scholarship covers

The package is comprehensive. Exact details depend on the partner, but scholars typically receive:

• Full tuition fees
• Accommodation and living costs
• Books and learning materials
• Travel, including a return flight home where the university is abroad
• Mentoring, counselling and academic support
• Leadership development, internships and career preparation

Scholarships are offered at secondary, undergraduate and master’s level. The program does not fund PhDs.

Who the program is designed for

Each partner publishes its own criteria, but the same themes appear everywhere:

• Citizenship or refugee status in an African country. Some partners are open to all African nationalities, others focus on specific countries or regions
• Academic talent. Strong school or university results that meet the partner’s normal admission standard
• Financial need. The program targets young people who could not otherwise afford the education. Expect to document your family’s circumstances
• Commitment to giving back. A record of service, leadership or initiative in your school or community
• Age limits. Many partners set an upper age limit, often in the late twenties for undergraduate study and around 35 for master’s programmes

The Foundation places particular weight on inclusion. About seven in ten scholars are young women, and partners actively recruit refugees, displaced young people and applicants with disabilities. Some universities run a dedicated stream for refugee applicants.

Partner universities

The network has more than 60 partners and changes over time, so always confirm on the Foundation’s website that a university is currently recruiting. These institutions have recently run Scholars Program intakes:

Region	Institution	Level
Ghana	Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)	Undergraduate
Ghana	Ashesi University	Undergraduate
Nigeria	Pan-Atlantic University	Undergraduate and graduate
Rwanda and Mauritius	African Leadership University	Undergraduate
Rwanda	Carnegie Mellon University Africa	Master’s
Rwanda	University of Global Health Equity	Master’s
Burkina Faso	International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE)	Undergraduate
Pan-African	African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)	Master’s
Senegal	Gaston Berger University	Varies
South Africa	University of the Western Cape	Varies
Lebanon	American University of Beirut	Undergraduate and graduate
Costa Rica	EARTH University	Undergraduate
United Kingdom	University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh	Master’s
France	Sciences Po	Master’s
Canada	University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia	Master’s
United States	University of California, Berkeley; Arizona State University	Master’s

Applicants in Nigeria should note that Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos is a partner, so there is an option that does not involve travelling abroad at all. Studying at an African partner is often the more realistic route, because these universities admit larger numbers of scholars than the overseas partners.

How to apply, step by step

1. Open the Foundation’s “Where to apply” page and note which partners offer your level of study and accept your nationality.
2. Go to each partner’s own Scholars Program page. Read the eligibility rules, the list of eligible courses and the deadline. Not every course at a partner university is covered.
3. Check whether you apply once or twice. Some universities assess you for the scholarship automatically from your admission application. Others require a separate scholarship form after or alongside admission.
4. Prepare your documents. Most partners ask for academic transcripts and certificates, a national ID or passport, essays or a personal statement, one or two recommendation letters and evidence of financial need.
5. Write your essays around evidence. Describe specific things you have done for your school or community, what happened as a result and what you plan to do with the degree at home.
6. Submit before the deadline and keep copies. Shortlisted candidates are usually interviewed online.

When to apply for 2027

There is no single date. As a general pattern, overseas partners that start in September open their scholarship calls between about August and January of the academic year before. Several master’s partners ask for an expression of interest first, with deadlines as early as September. African partners follow their own academic calendars and may open at different times of the year.

The practical approach is to make a simple table of every partner you qualify for, with its deadline and required documents, and to check each partner’s page monthly. Calls sometimes open with only a few weeks’ notice.

What selection panels look for

• A clear link between your course and a problem you want to solve. Panels read many applications that say “I want to help my country”. The strong ones name a specific problem and show that the applicant already understands it
• Proof of service, not titles. Tutoring younger pupils every Saturday for two years is stronger than a long list of club positions
• Honest financial information. Partners verify what you declare. Exaggeration leads to disqualification
• Referees who know you. A detailed letter from a teacher or supervisor who has worked with you carries more weight than a short letter from a prominent person
• A realistic plan to return or contribute. The program’s purpose is to develop leaders for Africa

Common mistakes

• Searching for a central application portal and missing the real partner deadlines
• Applying for a course that the scholarship does not cover at that university
• Submitting the admission application but forgetting the separate scholarship form
• Using the same generic essay for every partner
• Paying an “agent” to apply on your behalf
• Leaving recommendation letters until the last week

If you are not selected

Competition is intense and most qualified applicants are not selected in a given year. You can apply again in the next cycle and to different partners. It is also sensible to apply in parallel for other fully funded awards open to African students, such as national government scholarships and university scholarships, so that one outcome does not decide your plans.

Related guides

• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027: Benefits, Eligibility, Timeline and Application Steps
• Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals 2027/28: Eligible Countries, Requirements and Deadlines
• The Complete Guide to the Commonwealth Scholarship

Official sources

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Where to apply: partner institutions

Details were checked in October 2026. Partners, eligible courses and deadlines change every year, so confirm everything on the partner university’s own website before you apply. This article is general information and is not affiliated with the Mastercard Foundation.