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 2025/2026 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 Africa-based 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.
About MasterCard Foundation
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.
Aim and Benefits of Scholarship Program
The 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
Requirements for Scholarship Program Qualification
- 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 July 2025.
- Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or masters degrees before August 2025.
- Applicants must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the duration of the program.
- Interview date, Process and Venue for Scholarship Program
All applicants must apply for the scholarship first and, if successful, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to Arizona State University. Scholarship interviews via video or phone call will be held in November 2024, with final decisions made by late January 2025. All successful applicants will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to join the Program in August 2025.
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
Documents Required for Application
- CV/Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- Transcripts
Application Deadline: November 3, 2024
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to MasterCard Foundation on asu.co1.qualtrics.com to apply
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.
OR
If you have limited internet access, click to HERE view and download the PDF version of the form. To submit, please email your completed application and all required attachments (CV/Resume, Letter of Recommendation, and Transcripts) to mastercardfndnscholars@asu.edu.
For more details,visit Mastercard Foundation website
