2026 Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program in Sciences Po

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is open to students who are admitted onto a master’s programme at Sciences Po and who meet the eligibility criteria for the scholarship. Students receive the scholarships and financial aid throughout the two years of their master’s programme. 

Only admitted students to a master’s programme at Sciences Po can join the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po. 

• Table of Content
• About MasterCard Foundation
• Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program
• Aim and Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program
• Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About MasterCard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation is an international non-governmental organization established by Mastercard in 2006. The organization, which is based in Toronto, Ontario, has supported work in 49 countries.In 2018, Mastercard Foundation shifted to a specific focus on Africa, through its Young Africa Works strategy. The foundation develops programs primarily focused on reducing gender and economic inequality, expanding access to quality education, increasing the opportunities for decent work, and supporting overall economic growth.Funding is primaril... continue reading

Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program

Aim and Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program

Full Scholarship Covered in this program:

• Application fees
• Tuition
• Monthly stipend (e.g. food allowance)
• Housing
• Health insurance
• Mentoring or psycho-social support
• Travel costs to the third country
• Visa and Arrival Allowance 

Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program Qualification

You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:

• Hold citizenship in a country within Africa. Candidates who hold a second citizenship from a country outside the African continent are not eligible.
• Have completed or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree programme at one of Sciences Po’s institutions of reference (see the list of institutions).
  Or Have completed or are currently enrolled in a training foundation or mentoring programme offered by a bridging programme organisation partnering with the Mastercard Foundation (see the list of institutions).
• Be in genuine need of funding for your higher education (please note: documents proving your financial situation will be required for your application).
• Show a commitment to achieving change in Africa, particularly in the areas of public policy and major political, environmental and societal transitions.
• Be under  35 when you begin your Master’s programme.
• Not already hold a Master’s degree. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholar Program

If you want to apply to both Sciences Po and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, we strongly advise you to begin preparing and assembling the supporting documents  you need for your application well in advance, as it will certainly take a long time to obtain some of them (see below).

• Application platform opens:  early October 2025
• Application deadline for Master's programs and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:  4th January 2026
• Sciences Po admissions  decisions released:  mid-December 2025, mid-February 2026, early April 2026, depending on the application date .
• Scholarship allocation decisions released:  early May 2026
• Master's programs begin:  end of August 2026

Check also:
Tony Elumelu Foundation African Entrepreneurship Programme 2026

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Please note that to be admitted at Sciences Po, you must meet the minimum academic requirements depending on your university’s country of origin.

To be selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must first be accepted onto a Master’s programme at one of Science s Po’s Graduate Schools.

You will need to apply for your chosen Master’s programme and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program via the international graduate admissions procedure.

We also recommend you to read the Sciences Po application guide before starting your application. Several information sessions online and in person, will be organised between April and December 2025 to support you in the application process. Dates and registration information will be published on the Program’s LinkedIn and Instagram page (sciencespo_mcfsp). Don’t hesitate to follow this page, where valuable information about the Program will be posted regularly. 

For more details, visit Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program webpage