Deadline: Vary by Programme

Applications are open for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley 2026-2027. The University of California, Berkeley has partnered with The Mastercard Foundation in a collaborative, global network of education institutions and non-profit organizations that believe education is a catalyst for social and economic advancement. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program aims to develop a cohort of ethical, entrepreneurial, and energetic young leaders who will drive and lead socio-economic transformation in Africa. The Program is a growing commitment, and, to date, the Program has committed over USD $1.2 billion to supporting the education and leadership development of more than 40,000 young people.

The future of Africa will be shaped by its young people, including those talented, yet economically disadvantaged students who face significant barriers to accessing quality education. The Mastercard Foundation’s strategy, Young Africa Works, aims to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, to secure dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. To harness the potential impact of this generation, The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides next-generation leaders who are committed to the social and economic transformation of their continent with access to quality education by delivering comprehensive financial, social, and academic support throughout their secondary and university education and supports their transition to further study or to the workforce.


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Scholarship

  • Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive a comprehensive scholarship equivalent to the costs associated with earning a master’s degree, which includes travel, tuition, Berkeley student fees, visa and SEVIS fees, housing, food, living expenses, and cohort signature programs which will focus on leadership and entrepreneurship.   

Eligibility

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  • Being a citizen of an African country: This includes Africans who have been forcibly displaced or have refugee status within the African continent. Those with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK or EU are not eligible.
  • Having academic talent: All prospective Scholars must first be admitted to a UC Berkeley master’s degree program to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criterion for admission to the University is demonstrated academic excellence.
  • Demonstrating leadership potential: The Program seeks those committed to developing the skills and mindsets associated with transformative leadership, i.e, that which engages others in an ethical manner to generate positive and lasting change.
  • Experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education: This Scholarship is designed for those extremely talented individuals who might have faced barriers to quality higher education, including social, financial, personal, practical or health related.
  • Having demonstrated the commitment to give back to your community, country, or continent: They are looking for well-rounded students who are engaged in activities beyond the classroom. Some may be directly related to your field of study, but this may also include other issues (social, economic, political) that you are working on and passionate about. Applicants should elaborate on their achievements both in their application to UC Berkeley, and then later in the application for the Scholars Program.
  • Having expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country after completing your studies and post-graduation training: They are looking for students who are engaged with and passionate about issues affecting their communities, and who will take advantage of their education at UC Berkeley to better equip themselves with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon return. While important work can be done from abroad, the intention of the Program is to enable Scholars to return home, after forming valuable professional connections through internships, academic training and job placements.

Application

  • September through early January: Master’s degree program prospective applicants must first apply to the University of California, Berkeley through the regular admissions process. Admission application deadlines vary from September to early January with most in December. If a graduate program has multilple admission rounds with staggered deadlines, only those who submit applications in the first round (before January) can be considered for the Scholars Program.
  • November 15: The Scholars Program and some graduate degree programs are able to provide a limited number of admission application fee waivers. Applicants from African countries who complete the basic demographic information and provide the names of at least two recommenders in the UC Berkeley graduate admission online application by November 15 will receive an invitation by email to apply for admission application fee waivers. Applicants will be informed of fee waiver decisions before December 1.
  • February: The Scholars Program at UC Berkeley will invite candidates nominated by the graduate degree programs to complete a supplemental application.
  • March: The Scholars Program will invite selected candidates for an online interview.
  • Late March/early April: The Scholars Program will communicate final decisions.

Click here to apply


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For more information, visit MCFSP at UC Berkeley.

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