Become a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Graduate Level (2026–2028)

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po is a fully funded opportunity for talented African students who have been admitted to a master’s degree program at Sciences Po. The scholarship covers full tuition and living expenses for the entire duration of the two-year master’s program. Only candidates who have been admitted into an eligible Sciences Po master’s program can be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Eligible Master’s Programs

Applicants must apply to one of the master’s degree programs offered at Sciences Po’s Graduate Schools. However, dual-degree programs and one-year master’s programs are not eligible under this scholarship.

Admissions and Scholarship Timeline

The application platform opens in early October 2025. The final deadline to apply for both the Sciences Po master’s programs and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is January 4, 2026. Admissions decisions from Sciences Po will be released in three rounds: mid-December 2025, mid-February 2026, and early April 2026, depending on the application submission date. Scholarship decisions will be communicated in early May 2026. All programs will begin at the end of August 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following conditions.

• • Be a citizen of a country within Africa. Dual citizens with a non-African nationality are not eligible.
  • Have completed or be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at one of Sciences Po’s recognized institutions of reference or be a participant in a recognized foundation or mentoring program affiliated with the Mastercard Foundation.

• Demonstrate a genuine need for financial assistance. Supporting documentation such as tax forms, income statements, or official scholarship certificates must be provided. Bank statements are not accepted.
• Show a strong commitment to driving positive change in Africa, particularly in areas such as public policy, political transitions, environmental issues, or social development.
• Be under the age of 35 at the start of the master’s program.
• Not hold a prior master’s degree.

In addition, candidates must meet the academic eligibility requirements of Sciences Po, which vary depending on the applicant’s country of education. Sciences Po offers programs in English, French, or both, so language requirements will depend on the selected program.

How to Apply

Applicants must first apply to a master’s program at Sciences Po via the international graduate admissions portal. At the same time, they must indicate their intent to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. We strongly recommend reviewing the Sciences Po graduate admissions guide before starting the application. Several online and in-person information sessions will be held between April and December 2025 to assist applicants.

Required Documents

Before the application platform opens, applicants are advised to prepare all necessary documents well in advance. These include:

• • All documents required for international graduate admissions at Sciences Po
  • A valid photo ID
  • Proof of income or financial hardship
  • Proof of current or past enrollment at a recognized institution of reference
  • Any scholarship certificates (if applicable)

Selection Criteria

The selection process for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is highly competitive. Applications are evaluated based on the following:

• • Relevance of academic background and professional goals to the selected master’s program
  • Ability to critically analyze social, economic, or political challenges facing Africa and the global community
  • Originality, ambition, and commitment to achieving social or economic transformation in Africa
  • Authenticity and depth in motivation letters; candidates are encouraged to use real-life experiences to demonstrate their vision and avoid overreliance on artificial intelligence tools in their responses

Applications from individuals with refugee status, displaced persons, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged and given special consideration as part of the program’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity.

Important Notes

The scholarship is valid only for the year in which it is awarded. Admitted students who defer their studies will not retain their scholarship eligibility. If a candidate does not meet the Mastercard Foundation eligibility criteria, they may still apply to Sciences Po independently but must pay the application fee. Candidates may also consider applying to other funding opportunities such as the Emile Boutmy scholarship, being mindful of the earliest application deadline among multiple scholarship options.

Applicants who are admitted to Sciences Po but are not awarded the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship will need to secure their own funding. Current students at Sciences Po are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.