This scholarship is open only to citizens and residents of African countries — Indian nationals are not eligible. We cover it here for readers tracking global fully-funded scholarship models. If you’re looking for opportunities open to Indian students, see our scholarship listings or fellowships section instead.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the world’s largest scholarship and leadership initiatives, giving academically talented but economically disadvantaged African youth access to fully funded degrees. For 2026-27, partner universities including the University of Cambridge, McGill University, the University of Pretoria and Makerere University are running cohorts focused on sustainability, public health, public policy and climate resilience.
Each university runs its own admission and scholarship process independently, and — the detail applicants miss most often — each has a completely different deadline. Here’s what the scholarship covers, who qualifies, and where each partner university stands as of July 2026.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: Overview
| Degree Levels | Undergraduate and Master’s (varies by university) |
| Eligible Nationality | African citizens/residents only |
| Coverage | Full tuition, accommodation, stipend, health insurance, airfare, visa support |
| 2026-27 Focus Themes | Sustainability, public health, public policy, climate resilience |
| Application Mode | Directly through each partner university, not the Foundation |
What It Covers
The program is built around “wraparound support” rather than a simple tuition waiver. Scholars typically receive full tuition, on-campus or arranged accommodation, a monthly living stipend, comprehensive health insurance, return airfare, visa and immigration assistance, and structured leadership training and mentorship. Exact benefits vary slightly by university, so applicants should confirm specifics on the relevant program page.
Who Can Apply
The program targets African youth facing significant financial and social barriers to higher education, with priority given to women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities. Across partner universities, applicants generally need African citizenship (temporary residence abroad for study or work is usually fine), the academic qualifications required by their chosen course, demonstrated leadership and community involvement, genuine financial need, and a stated commitment to returning home after graduation. Importantly, applicants must first secure university admission — the scholarship is awarded on top of an existing offer, not independently of one.
University of Cambridge
Cambridge funds one-year master’s degrees focused on climate resilience and sustainability. Its funding deadline sits well ahead of the standard course deadline — usually early December or early January, depending on department. Applicants opt in for funding during their regular Cambridge application and submit a scholarship statement; offers typically arrive by March or April. For 2026 entry, this window closed in December 2025/January 2026. Watch the official Cambridge program page for the next cycle.
McGill University
McGill funds master’s study in public policy, public health, sustainable agriculture, food science, biostatistics, and nutrition — 35 scholarships across 13 programs annually. Applicants must first attend a mandatory information session to unlock the application form; only pre-screened candidates receive a fee waiver and move on to McGill’s admissions process. For 2026-27, applications are expected to open 3 August and close 21 August 2026 — currently the only live window among the universities covered here.
University of Pretoria
UP supports undergraduate and postgraduate students across faculties including Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, and Law. Applicants must secure provisional UP admission before applying for scholarship funding. UP’s own “How to Apply” page lists 30 June 2026 as the deadline, though several aggregator sites cite August or September dates — treat the official up.ac.za page as authoritative and confirm directly with the university.
Makerere University
Makerere offered 245 undergraduate and 13 master’s scholarships for 2026/2027, with at least 70% of awards reserved for young women and priority for refugees, IDPs, and students with disabilities. The application deadline was 5 June 2026, so this window has closed; check the Makerere portal for the next intake.
How the Process Works
Consider Amara, an undergraduate from a refugee-hosting community in East Africa aiming for a public health master’s. She doesn’t apply to the Foundation directly. She identifies McGill as the right fit, attends its mandatory information session in early August, and submits the scholarship form before the 21 August deadline. Once pre-screened, she receives a fee waiver and moves through McGill’s regular admissions process — only after a conditional departmental offer does the Foundation’s committee confirm her scholarship. This “admission first, scholarship second” sequence holds across nearly every partner university.
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Application Steps
- Pick a partner university matching your field of interest.
- Check that university’s specific deadline — never assume it matches another partner’s.
- Complete any mandatory pre-steps (McGill’s info session, Cambridge’s funding opt-in).
- Apply for course admission, since scholarship eligibility depends on an offer.
- Submit scholarship documentation: leadership statement, financial need declaration, recommendations.
- Respond promptly to follow-up requests like English test scores.
FAQs
Can Indian students apply?
No. Eligibility is restricted to African citizens and residents.
Do I apply to the Mastercard Foundation directly?
No — applications go through each partner university’s own process.
Is it available for undergraduate study?
Yes, at Pretoria and Makerere. McGill is master’s-only; Cambridge funds one-year master’s degrees.
What if I miss a deadline?
Late applications aren’t accepted anywhere. Prepare early and watch official pages for the next cycle.
Does it cover the full cost of studying abroad?
Generally yes — tuition, accommodation, stipend, insurance, and travel are typically all included.
Related Reading
Disclaimer: Deadlines and eligibility criteria can change without notice. Always verify on the official university page before applying.
Menka Singh is an education researcher and scholarship consultant with over 5 years of experience helping Indian students navigate central, state and private scholarship programmes. Having personally applied for and received scholarships during her own education, she brings firsthand understanding to every guide she writes. She specialises in Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and all India scholarship schemes and has helped thousands of students find verified funding opportunities. Read More: Click Here
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