The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a major education initiative that provides comprehensive scholarships to academically talented but economically disadvantaged young people, predominantly from Africa, to pursue secondary, undergraduate, and master's education. Launched in 2012, the Foundation has committed to educating tens of thousands of young people, with a strong focus on women, displaced people, and those with disabilities. The program is delivered through a network of partner universities and organisations around the world — including institutions in Africa, North America, and Europe — each running its own admissions and selection. It is holistic: beyond tuition and living costs, it provides mentorship, leadership development, counselling, and transition support to help Scholars give back to their communities. Because it is delivered by partners, the level offered (undergraduate or master's), eligible countries, and deadlines vary by institution. The unifying commitment is to develop a generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders dedicated to driving change in their communities.
Identify a partner institution that offers the Scholars Program at your level, then apply through that institution's specific Mastercard Foundation Scholars process and admissions.
There is no single application — each partner university/organisation runs its own Mastercard Foundation Scholars selection with its own eligible countries, level, and deadline.
Primarily African countries (varies by partner institution)
Each partner selects Scholars on a combination of academic talent, demonstrated financial need, leadership potential, and commitment to community and continental development. The program intentionally prioritises young women, displaced people, and people with disabilities, and looks for ethical, entrepreneurial leaders who will give back.
The Mastercard Foundation is one of the world's largest foundations, working to advance education and financial inclusion in Africa and to empower young people. Its Scholars Program, launched in 2012, partners with universities and organisations worldwide to educate and develop ethical, entrepreneurial young leaders committed to driving change in their communities.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
A major education initiative launched in 2012 that provides comprehensive scholarships to academically talented but economically disadvantaged young people, mostly from Africa, for undergraduate and master's study, plus mentorship and leadership development.
Academically strong but economically disadvantaged young people — predominantly from African countries — with leadership potential and a commitment to giving back. Exact criteria are set by each partner institution.
Comprehensive support: tuition, accommodation, a living stipend, books and often a laptop, travel for international placements, plus mentorship, leadership programming, counselling, and career support.
There is no single application. You apply through a partner university or organisation that runs the program — find a partner offering your level and field, then complete its admission and Scholars application.
A global network including institutions across Africa, North America, and Europe. The list evolves over time — check the Mastercard Foundation's current partner institutions.
Deadlines vary by partner institution, usually aligned with each university's own admission cycle. Check the specific partner's page for its dates.
The primary focus is young people from Africa, but some partners also support displaced people and students from other regions. Eligible countries are defined per partner.
Depending on the partner, secondary, undergraduate, or master's study. Each partner specifies the level(s) it offers under the program.
Yes — the program intentionally prioritises young women, displaced people, and people with disabilities as part of its inclusion commitment.
Scholars are expected to use their education to contribute to their communities and to Africa's development — a central value assessed in selection and supported throughout the program.
Yes — mentorship, leadership development, counselling, networking, and transition-to-work support are core parts of the program, not just tuition and living costs.
Highly — partner institutions receive far more applicants than places. Selection weighs academic talent, financial need, leadership, and commitment to giving back.