Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley 2027 (Fully Funded)

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley 2027 is inviting qualified students from African countries to pursue Master’s degree studies at the University of California, Berkeley in the United States. The programme is designed for academically talented African students who have experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education and are committed to contributing to positive and transformative change in Africa. Applications are currently ongoing for the 2027 programme.

The scholarship is administered through UC Berkeley’s Center for African Studies in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Selected scholars receive comprehensive financial support intended to make graduate study at Berkeley more accessible. The programme seeks applicants with strong academic potential, leadership qualities and a demonstrated commitment to creating meaningful impact within their communities and across the African continent.

Applications are particularly encouraged from African women, people with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons who meet the programme requirements. Prospective applicants should carefully review the eligible Master’s programmes, admission criteria, scholarship requirements, required documents and application deadlines before applying. Candidates should also ensure that their academic and personal statements clearly demonstrate their experiences, goals and commitment to contributing to Africa’s development.

SUMMARY

• Scholarship Sponsor(s): Mastercard Foundation
• Host Institution(s): University of California, Berkeley, USA
• Scholarship Worth: Fully Funded
• Number of Awards: Approximately 55 Scholars Supported Annually
• Study Level: Master’s
• Eligible Applicants: Citizens of African Countries

Scholarship Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley provides talented young Africans with access to graduate education, leadership development and professional opportunities.

UC Berkeley and the Mastercard Foundation are engaged in a long-term partnership supporting Master’s students from African countries. The current phase of the partnership will provide support to more than 200 Master’s students through 2030, with Scholars recruited through fall 2028.

Approximately 55 Master’s students are supported annually, with new cohorts entering each year.

The program seeks to develop ethical, entrepreneurial and transformative leaders who will use their education and experience to contribute to social and economic development across Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants interested in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley must:

• Be a citizen of an African country, including Africans who are refugees or have been forcibly displaced within the African continent.
• Apply for and gain admission to an eligible UC Berkeley Master’s degree program.
• Demonstrate strong academic ability and excellence.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to transformative change.
• Have experienced significant barriers to accessing quality higher education, which may include financial, social, personal, practical or health-related barriers.
• Demonstrate a commitment to giving back to their community, country or the African continent.
• Express the intention to return to their home country or contribute to development in Africa after completing their studies and permitted post-graduation training.

Applicants with dual citizenship, asylum, refugee or permanent resident status in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom or European Union are not eligible.

All other factors being equal, priority may be given to candidates who completed their undergraduate degree at an African university, do not already hold a postgraduate degree and have not previously benefited from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Eligible Master’s Programs

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley supports selected Master’s degree programs of two years or less.

Current eligible programs include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Education (MA)
• Engineering (MEng), various concentrations
• Civil and Environmental Engineering (MS)
• Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (MS)
• Information Management and Systems (MIMS)
• Journalism (MJ)
• Law (LLM) – Traditional Program
• Art (MFA)
• Computational Social Science (MaCSS)
• Folklore (MA)
• Global Studies (MA)
• Energy and Resources
• Climate Solutions (MCS)
• Forestry (MF)
• Social Welfare (MSW)

Applicants interested in a UC Berkeley Master’s program not currently listed may contact the Scholars Program for guidance.

Bachelor’s and doctoral degree programs are not eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley. Concurrent and dual-degree programs taking longer than two years are also excluded.

Scholarship Benefits

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides a comprehensive scholarship equivalent to the costs associated with earning an eligible Master’s degree at UC Berkeley.

Funding includes:

• Full tuition.
• Berkeley student fees.
• Travel expenses.
• Visa and SEVIS fees.
• Housing.
• Food.
• Living expenses.
• Leadership and entrepreneurship development programs.
• Academic and professional support.
• Access to the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars network.

Scholars enrolled in Master’s programs lasting longer than two semesters are also expected, subject to review and approval, to undertake an internship in Africa during their studies. The Scholars Program provides round-trip airfare to Africa and a stipend toward living expenses for the internship.

How to Apply

There is no separate direct scholarship application at the beginning of the process. Prospective Scholars must first apply for admission to an eligible Master’s degree at UC Berkeley.

Applicants should:

1. Select an eligible UC Berkeley Master’s program and review its specific admission requirements and deadline.
2. Submit a complete application for admission through the regular UC Berkeley graduate admissions process.
3. Where a program has multiple admission rounds, apply in the first admission round before January to remain eligible for consideration.
4. Eligible applicants from African countries seeking an admission application fee waiver should complete the basic demographic information and provide the names of at least two recommenders in the UC Berkeley graduate application by November 15.
5. After applications are reviewed, eligible candidates are nominated by their graduate degree programs for consideration by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
6. Nominated candidates are invited by the Scholars Program to complete a supplemental scholarship application, normally in February.
7. Selected candidates are subsequently invited for an online interview, normally in March, before final scholarship decisions are communicated.

Applicants should therefore concentrate first on submitting a strong and complete application to an eligible UC Berkeley Master’s program.

Application Documents

Admission requirements differ between Master’s programs. Applicants should check their chosen program carefully and prepare the academic and supporting documents required by UC Berkeley.

These may include:

• Academic transcripts.
• Bachelor’s degree credentials.
• Statement of purpose and other required essays.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé.
• English-language proficiency evidence, where applicable.
• Other documents required by the chosen Master’s program.

Candidates nominated for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will subsequently receive instructions for completing the supplemental scholarship application.

Application Deadline: Varies according to the selected Master’s program.

UC Berkeley Master’s applications generally have deadlines ranging from September through early January, with most falling in December.

Where an eligible graduate program uses multiple admission rounds, applicants seeking consideration for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program must apply during the first round before January.

Applicants seeking consideration for a limited UC Berkeley graduate application fee waiver should complete the required preliminary information by November 15.

Visit the Official Website for Further Details