Application Opens: early October 2025; Deadline: 4th January 2026
LOCATION: Canada
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.
ELIGIBILITY:
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 program organization 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 holding a Master’s degree.
Be applying for a two-year Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s Graduate Schools. Applicants for one-year Master’s, dual degrees or joint Master’s programmes and the Master’s programmes of the School of Journalism are not eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
To be selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must first be accepted onto a Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s Graduate Schools.
BENEFIT:
Fully funded: 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
Settling in