Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley 2026 | Fully Funded Master's Scholarship to the USA

If you are an academically talented young African committed to transformative change on your continent, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley offers a unique and powerful pathway. This highly competitive program supports master’s degree students from across Africa, especially those who have overcome significant barriers, and empowers them to become future leaders who give back to their communities.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: University of California, Berkeley, USA

• Study Level: Master’s degree only (no PhD or undergraduate)

• Target Group: Citizens of African countries (including refugees/displaced on the African continent)

• Fields of Study: Eligible master’s programs across many schools, including but not limited to Business (MBA), Engineering (MEng, MS), Public Policy (MDP, MPP), Education, Journalism, Law (LLM), Environmental Design, Public Health, etc.

• Coverage: Comprehensive scholarship — includes tuition, living expenses, books, stipends, transportation, and more.

• Duration: Up to two years (only master’s programs of two years or less are eligible)

• Application Deadline (Tentative / Process):

  • Graduate admission to UC Berkeley: between September and early January (most programs in December)

  • November 15: deadline to provide basic demographic info + recommenders for possible fee waiver.

  • February: supplemental application invited.

  • March: online interviews for selected candidates.

  • Late March / Early April: final decisions communicated.

• Start Date: Usually after admission, in line with UC Berkeley’s academic calendar (fall)

  
  

📚 Scholarship Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is run in partnership between UC Berkeley’s Center for African Studies and the Mastercard Foundation. The overarching aim is to support transformative leaders from Africa — particularly those who have experienced educational barriers — by providing them with a high-quality master’s education.

The program is holistic: it doesn’t just provide financial aid, but also academic mentoring, social support, and career counseling. Scholars are encouraged to engage in experiential learning, community service, internships, and social entrepreneurship. Importantly, the program strongly encourages returning to one’s home country after graduation, so that the skills and networks gained at Berkeley can be used to create positive impact locally.

📖 Eligible Study Programmes

You can access the list of eligible study programs under this scholarship by navigating to this webpage

💲 Benefits of the Scholarship

1. Full Financial Support: Covers tuition, cost of living, books, stipends, transportation, and possibly more.

2. Comprehensive Mentorship: Academic and social mentoring through Berkeley’s resources, including the Center for African Studies.

3. Professional Development: Opportunity for internships and job placements, building professional networks in the U.S. and Africa.

4. Alumni Network: Scholars join a strong alumni network, including access to the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Scholars Impact Fund, which supports entrepreneurship and community-impact ventures in Africa.

5. Service and Leadership Focus: The program emphasizes “give-back” ethos — scholars are expected to be committed to contributing positively to their communities after their studies.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of an African country. This includes refugees or displaced persons on the African continent.

• Be admitted to one of UC Berkeley’s eligible master’s degree programs.

• Demonstrate academic excellence. Admission to Berkeley itself is required, so strong academic record is essential.

• Show leadership potential: commitment to positive, transformative change and the capacity to lead ethically.

• Have experienced significant barriers in accessing higher education, whether social, economic, health-related, or otherwise.

• Have a desire to give back: demonstrated commitment to community or continent, through prior service or future vision.

• Intend to return to their home country after graduation (or express strong engagement with it), to apply their learning in Africa.

• Preferably, but not mandatory:

  • Did undergraduate studies in an African university.

  • Do not already have a postgraduate degree (master’s or doctorate).

  • Have not previously benefited from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

📝 Application Procedure

Here is how to apply, and what you need to prepare:

1. Apply for Graduate Admission to UC Berkeley

   • Apply for a master’s program through Berkeley’s standard graduate admissions process.

   • Make sure to apply in Round 1 (first admission round) because only those who apply early are eligible for the Scholars Program.

   • Admission deadlines vary by department, but most are between September and early January.

   • On your UC Berkeley application, by November 15, you should fill basic demographic data + provide at least two recommender names; this is necessary to be considered for an application fee waiver.

2. Scholars Program Supplemental Application

   • In February, if your department nominates you or selects you, you will be invited to submit a supplemental application.

   • This supplemental form might include essays about leadership, commitment to Africa, your “give-back” vision, past barriers, etc.

3. Interview

   • In March, selected candidates will be invited for an online interview as part of the selection process.

4. Decision

   • Final decisions are communicated in late March or early April.

5. Documents you’ll likely need:

   • Academic transcripts (undergraduate, possibly any postgraduate)

   • Letters of Recommendation (at least two)

   • CV / Resume

   • Personal Statement(s) — including your leadership story, barriers you overcame, and your vision for impact

   • Any supplemental essays (as required by the Scholars Program)

   • Possibly proof of citizenship, refugee status (if applicable)

👌🏻 Tips for Applicants

• Start early: Because you must apply to both Berkeley’s graduate program and then to the Scholars Program, begin preparing application materials well in advance.

• Tell your story: Emphasize not just academic achievements but also how you overcame obstacles, demonstrated leadership, and intend to contribute to your community.

• Research your program: Confirm that your intended master’s degree is one of those eligible under this scholarship (check the official list).

• Prepare for interview: Think deeply about your leadership experiences, vision for Africa, and how a Berkeley master’s will help you achieve impact.

• Leverage fee waivers: Don’t miss the November 15 deadline for getting a possible waiver; application fees can be a barrier.

🎓 Alumni & Long-Term Impact

Once you become a Scholar at Berkeley, you join a vibrant alumni network dedicated to Africa’s development. Former Scholars can apply to the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Scholars Impact Fund, which supports entrepreneurial and social-change projects in Africa.

Through this network, you have access to:

• Mentorship and peer support

• Funding for projects in Africa

• Job and internship opportunities via the African Careers Network

🌐 Why This Scholarship Is a Game-Changer

• Transformative Leadership: The program doesn’t just build future professionals; it builds change-makers who are deeply connected to Africa.

• Holistic Support: Beyond money, support comes in mentorship, community engagement, and professional development.

• Return to Africa: The program’s design encourages you to bring what you learn back home — creating real, grassroots impact.

• Prestigious Institution: Studying at UC Berkeley gives you access to world-class faculty, research, and global networks.

• Sustainable Impact: With the alumni fund and network, your impact doesn’t end when the master’s ends — you become part of a larger ecosystem.

🔗 Official Link

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