Application Deadline: Sunday, 14 September, 23:59 GMT
Scholarship Overview
The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), will provide graduate scholarships to train 120 young African professionals at the master’s level for various programs over 5 years (2025 – 2030). This is a fully immersive and traditional on-campus 2-year master’s program with an emphasis on technology and innovation. Recognizing the rapid evolution of the global digital economy, this program aims to equip African youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in areas such as technology and sustainable innovation.
30 Scholarships are available for students admitted for the 2026/2027 academic year, which will cover the full tuition fees, expenses for accommodation, and comprehensive support for the 2-year graduate program. On top of financial support, Scholars will participate in activities as part of the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU, including leadership curriculum, individual mentorship, and other events and programming. While classes are in session, Scholars have the opportunity to work part-time in on-campus positions, either with the Baobab Platform team or in the broader ASU community. Between the first and second year, Scholars will be supported to participate in a 2-month internship that aligns with their program of study.
A strong expectation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is that participants return to their home countries to invest their gained skills and education in their country’s social and economic growth. Women, refugees and displaced persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. ASU is committed to enhancing the quality of students’ educational experience by ensuring accessibility for all programs and services.
Scholarships are available for the following full-time, on-campus graduate programs:
MS Global Technology and Development
MS Human Systems Engineering – Intelligent Systems
MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering
MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the degree of their choice that includes English proficiency.
- Applicants must be a citizen of an African country committed to ethical leadership and demonstrated engagement in their community.
- Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 33 on or before the application deadline.
- Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service in their community.
- Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and ambitions that exceed one’s financial resources.
- Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree conferred by August 2026.
- Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or masters degrees before August 2026.
- Applicants must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the duration of the program.
Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be reviewed or considered.
Value of the ScholarshipThe Scholarship will cover the following:
- Costs incurred for visa application processing
- Costs incurred for English language tests
- Costs incurred for program application
- Airfare to and from Phoenix, Arizona
- Full tuition, books and fees
- Medical expenses
- On campus housing
- Participation in Scholarship programming
Awards are tenable for the duration of the graduate program of study.
The deadline for all applications will be 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 14 September. No applications will be accepted past this deadline. All applicants must first apply for the scholarship. Those who are selected to advance beyond the initial review, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to Arizona State University. Do not apply to admission to ASU. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email to schedule an interview via video or phone call. Final scholarship decisions will be made by late February 2026. Successful applicants will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to join the Program in August 2026.
All applicants, once registered, should have read and understood the application guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting an application to the Program to avoid any errors or incorrect information. Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation reserve the right to cancel incomplete and/or late applications, to effect changes to the conditions of the scholarship or to make no awards at all.
Admission to the academic program does not guarantee being awarded the scholarship.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions here and direct any questions to mastercardfdnscholars@asu.edu.
There are 2 ways to submit your application:We encourage applicants to submit an online application. To proceed to the online application, please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to begin.
OR
If you have limited internet access, view and download the PDF version of the form (do not request edit access). To submit, email your completed application and required attachments (CV/Resume, Letter of Recommendation, and Transcripts) to mastercardfdnscholars@asu.edu. However, if you can submit online, click NEXT to proceed to the online application.
