Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Mastercard Foundation

Scholarship overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global initiative to develop transformative leaders by helping highly talented, service-oriented young people, mainly Africans, study and grow as leaders. It began in 2012.

The Foundation reports over 58,000 scholarships committed, 71% to young women, and a goal of 100,000 by 2030. It works through 62 partners, which are universities and non-profits.

Candidates apply directly to a partner institution, which runs the application and decides awards. Partner universities in Ghana include Ashesi University. Scholarships exist at secondary, undergraduate and master's level, but not PhD.

How recipients are selected

Each partner institution manages its own application and decisions.
Admission fees charged by a partner are reimbursed if you are selected.

Award Information

Be an African national committed to ethical leadership and community building.
Be academically strong, with ambitions bigger than your financial means.
Be 29 or under for a Bachelor's degree, or 35 or under for a Master's, when applying.
Women, refugees, displaced people, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Meet the extra requirements of your chosen partner institution.

The Foundation describes financial, psychosocial and academic support, plus leadership training and transition into work.
What the award covers in detail is set by each partner institution, so check your chosen partner's Mastercard Foundation Scholars page.
Scholars are expected to give back through volunteering and community service.

No single deadline: each partner university sets its own deadlines and fees. Check your chosen partner for the current intake.

How to apply

Choose a partner institution and programme from the Foundation's Where to apply list.
Read that institution's Mastercard Foundation Scholars page and application rules.
Apply for admission and scholarship through the institution.
Meet the institution's own deadlines and fees.