Mastercard Foundation African STARS MSc Fellowship to Study in South Africa 2025

The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University (South Africa) and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) (Senegal), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, invite applications for the African STARS Fellowship; a fully funded opportunity to pursue an MSc in Bioinformatics of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Genomics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. This two-year, multidisciplinary MSc programme is designed to equip African scientists with the expertise needed to lead innovative research in infectious diseases and pathogen genomics.

• Table of Content
• About Africa STARS Fellowship
• Africa STARS Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of Africa STARS Fellowship
• Africa STARS Fellowship Courses
• Requirements for Africa STARS Fellowship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Africa STARS Fellowship

Starting in 2025, Africa STARS Fellowship was established as an advanced training initiative to nurture and develop the next generation of high calibre scientists, innovators, policy makers and health care leaders in Africa. Africa has the fastest-growing young population in the world, projected to make up nearly half of the global youth by 2100. Currently, young Africans have limited formal employment opportunities – a challenge that is expected to intensify as the continent’s workforce expands to over a billion people in the coming decades.  ... continue reading

Africa STARS Fellowship

Application Deadline	26 Jun 2025
Country to study	South Africa
School to study	Stellenbosch University
Type	Masters
Course to study	View courses
Sponsor	Africa STARS Fellowship
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of Africa STARS Fellowship

The African STARS Fellowship covers the full cost of the MSc programme, including:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Living stipend
• Research-related expenses
• Air Travel expense
• Health insurance

Africa STARS Fellowship Courses

• Bioinformatics of Infectious Diseases and Pathogen Genomics

Requirements for Africa STARS Fellowship Qualification

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Born in and / or living in Africa
• 35 years of age or younger at the time of application
• Hold a BSc Honours (NQF level 8) or equivalent 4-year degree (≥65%) in:

1. Bioinformatics, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science,
2. Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related field

• Women are strongly encouraged to apply

Application Deadline

June 26, 2025

How to Apply

Step 1: Click here to apply for the African STARS Fellowship (Scholarship)

Note: This form is only for the scholarship application.

Step 2: Submit a formal application to Stellenbosch University for admission to the MSc Programme.

Deadline: 31 August 2025 (International), 30 September 2025 (South Africans)

For more details, visit the African Star Fellowship webpage