Published: 14 Oct 2026 43 views
CMU-Africa is part of a global network of 33 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partners, comprised of institutions committed to developing Africa’s young leaders.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa supports highly talented, service-oriented young people who face the highest social and economic barriers to opportunity. The graduate students complete their Master of Science degrees in Information Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Engineering Artificial Intelligence. Upon completion of the program, Mastercard Foundation Scholars go on to lead changes in their communities and contribute to meaningful transformation across the continent.
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
| Application Deadline | 15 Dec 2026 |
| Country to study | Rwanda |
| School to study | Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
| Type | Masters |
| Sponsor | MasterCard Foundation |
| Gender | Men and Women |
From the point of selection through to employment or further education, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive comprehensive, wrap-around support that addresses their academic, personal, and professional development needs. In addition to full tuition coverage, CMU-Africa provides a range of tailored resources to ensure Mastercard Foundation Scholars thrive during their studies and transition successfully into meaningful careers or advanced academic opportunities.
CMU-Africa's mission is to deliver transformative educational programs to cultivate future technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators across Africa. We engage in collaborative research and innovation to address African and global challenges. Applicants must therefore be passionate about solving problems on the continent using the education and skills acquired at CMU-Africa.
CMU-Africa's programs are fast-paced and demanding, and require a critical thinking approach that is ideal for students who are creative and who question conventions.
CMU-Africa is looking for not only the brightest students, but also those who will become leaders in the communities or organizations they serve. Applicants must have some leadership qualities, though experiences can vary from college extracurricular activities to academic/professional/business achievements to personal triumphs or commitments in the applicant’s community.
The admissions team will review your prior academic performance, and the nature of your work experience. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or be in the final year of their bachelor's program, and while there is no minimum GPA, our students have a strong undergraduate background.
The program requires individuals with strong programming skills and a high proficiency in written and oral English, which is the language in which classes are conducted.
CMU-Africa students spend 80 percent of their time with fellow students and faculty, and bring together a variety of experiences, cultures and aspirations, as our students are from a variety of countries in Africa. Many graduates find their largest sense of fulfillment to be shaped by how much they shared their experiences with their fellow classmates, supported their colleagues, and learned from and taught their peers. CMU-Africa candidates must exhibit such character.
Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)
Important dates for applying to CMU-Africa and understanding the admissions decision process
October 1: All program applications open. Begin your application to the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), the Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS ECE), or the Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence (MS EAI) program. Learn more about our programs.
December 15: Early admission deadline. Submit your application by the early admission deadline of December 15 for CMU-Africa to cover your competency test fees. Learn more about test fees
January 15: Final application deadline. Any application received after the early admission deadline will only be considered if submitted with valid DET/IELTS/TOEFL.
January-April: Applications are reviewed. After the final application deadline, all components of the applications are reviewed.
April-May: Admissions decisions are shared with applicants. You will receive email communications from the admissions team on the status of your application at every stage. You can also view the status of your application through your application portal.
May-August: The Student Induction Program is held for admitted students. The program ensures a successful transition to CMU-Africa through a mix of online and in-person learning, including Tartan Tuesdays webinars, self-paced online learning, the English Enhancement Program, and on-campus orientation activities.
September: The semester begins for admitted students. The academic calendar serves as Carnegie Mellon University's information source and planning document for students, faculty, staff, departments, and outside organizations. The calendar includes registration, class start dates, add/drop deadlines, and exam dates. View CMU-Africa's academic calendar
For more Information, visit Carnegie Mellon University Africa Mastercard Foundation Scholarship webpage
