Mastercard Foundation Master's Scholarship at ASU

Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program are offering 30 scholarships for young Africans to take a two-year, in-person master's degree in technology and innovation at ASU's Tempe campus in Arizona, starting in the 2027 to 2028 academic year. The scholarship pays for tuition, housing, books, flights, visa and medical costs, and scholars are expected to use their degree to contribute to social and economic progress in their home communities.

What you get:

• Full tuition, required books and student fees for a two-year master's degree
• On-campus housing at ASU
• Medical support and healthcare coverage
• Return airfare to and from Phoenix, Arizona, plus visa application processing costs
• ASU's graduate application fee waived, and an English language test voucher if you need one
• Leadership development, mentorship, academic advising and professional development throughout the degree
• A connection to the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program community

What you'll do:

• Study full time and in person for two years at ASU's Tempe campus, in one of nine master's programmes: Global Technology and Development; Information Technology; Computer Science; Data Science, Analytics and Engineering; Robotics and Autonomous Systems; Clean Energy Systems; Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering; Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use; Human Systems Engineering (Intelligent Systems)
• Complete a two-month internship in your field between your first and second years
• Take part in leadership development, mentorship, community engagement and professional development alongside your studies
• Use what you learn to contribute to progress at home: the programme strongly encourages scholars to return to their home countries after graduating

Key dates:

• Applications close Sunday 27 September 2026 at 23:59 GMT
• Shortlisted applicants are interviewed, then guided through ASU admission with the application fee waived
• Scholarship decisions are made in early 2027
• Your bachelor's degree must be conferred before July 2027
• The two-year degree starts with the 2027 to 2028 academic year

More information:

• Apply through ASU's online application form. If your internet access is limited, you can email the PDF version of the form to mastercardfdnscholars@asu.edu instead
• Do not apply to ASU or pay an application fee yourself. Applicants who reach the interview stage receive a fee waiver, and ASU does not refund fees paid before that
• You need three essays (450 to 500, 250 to 300 and 250 to 300 words), a CV, one signed letter of recommendation written in the past three years, and your transcript, all as PDFs
• You can choose only one programme, and you cannot change it after you submit
• ASU's FAQ says your CV, transcript and recommendation letter can be in French; the online form itself must be answered in English
• There are no country quotas: no minimum or maximum number of scholars from any one country
• Full FAQ from ASU: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DnQRt3oAiY61zp3NyuGYhx264t8VOHP4/view

• Citizen of an African country
• Aged 18 to 33 on or before the application deadline
• A bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, conferred before July 2027. Higher diplomas such as an HND, certificates and other non-degree credentials do not count
• A strong academic record, equivalent to at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Able to meet ASU's English language proficiency requirements for graduate admission (proof is not needed to apply for the scholarship itself)
• Must not have started or completed a master's or other graduate degree, and must not begin one while applying
• A record of leadership, service and commitment to positive change in your community
• Able to relocate to and live on ASU's campus in Tempe, Arizona, USA for the full two years
• Must be admitted to the chosen ASU graduate programme to receive the scholarship; admission alone does not guarantee it