The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, in partnership with Arizona State University, is offering 30 graduate study opportunities for young African professionals to pursue master’s degrees focused on technology and innovation. The Mastercard Innovation and Technology Scholarship application deadline is Sunday, 27 September 2026, at 23:59 GMT for the 2027-2028 academic year. If you are a young African professional who wants a world-class graduate education and you face real barriers to accessing one, this is worth a hard look.
A strong expectation of the program is that participants use the skills and education they gain to contribute to their communities, fostering social and economic growth in their home countries. Women, refugees, displaced persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The scholarship decisions will be made in early 2027.
The third phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU expands access to graduate education and professional learning opportunities focused on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This is not a program for people who already have a master’s degree or who have started one elsewhere. It is for those who have not yet begun graduate-level master’s study.
Program Details
- Host institution: Arizona State University (ASU), United States of America.
- Fields of study: Full-time, on-campus graduate programs in technology and innovation (see list below).
- Number of awards: 30.
- Duration: Two-year full-time graduate program.
- Target group: Young African professionals aged 18 to 33 at the time of application.
Mastercard Innovation and Technology Scholarship Benefits
Selected scholars receive a comprehensive package that includes:
- Full tuition and fees.
- On-campus housing and books.
- Visa, airfare, and medical expenses.
- Leadership development.
- Academic advising and support.
- A two-month internship between the first and second years, aligned with the program of study.
Eligible Programs for the Mastercard Innovation and Technology Scholarship
The scholarship is available for the following full-time, on-campus graduate programs at ASU:
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology
- MS Computer Science
- MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering
- MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- MS Clean Energy Systems
- MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
- MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
- MS Human Systems Engineering – Intelligent Systems
No other programs are available during this scholarship cycle. These are the programs approved through the scholarship grant.
Other Opportunities
Mastercard Innovation and Technology Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of an African country.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 33 at the time of application.
- Have earned an undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognized institution. The degree must be conferred before July 2027. No exceptions.
- Not have already completed a master’s degree or started a master’s degree program at another institution.
- Demonstrate academic talent and a commitment to excellence.
- Face significant social and economic barriers to accessing higher education.
- Demonstrate potential for transformative and ethical leadership.
- Be committed to serving their communities and contributing to positive change.
A higher national diploma alone does not qualify as an undergraduate degree. Applicants can review degree equivalencies for their country on ASU’s page.
How to Apply for the Mastercard Innovation and Technology Scholarship
Do not apply to ASU first. The process is reversed. You apply for the scholarship first. If you are selected to interview, you will be guided to apply for admission to ASU. Application fee waivers will be provided to applicants who advance to the interview stage. The program does not reimburse application fees paid before receiving a fee waiver.
- Complete the scholarship application online at the official portal. Use the “apply” button below to access the platform. If you have limited internet access, download the PDF version of the form, complete it, and email it along with required attachments to [email protected].
- Submit only one application. Do not submit both an online and a downloadable application. The online form is preferred.
- Upload all documents in PDF format. Include your name in all file names (e.g., Jane Doe_RESUME, Jane Doe_TRANSCRIPT).
Required Documents
- Application Form (online or PDF application).
- Responses to the required essay questions.
- Resume/CV.
- One Letter of Recommendation. It must be written within the past three years, signed by the recommender, and uploaded as a PDF. Letters sent separately by email will not be reviewed. The letter can be addressed to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University.
- Unofficial or official transcript. For the scholarship application, a transcript translation is not required if the transcript is in French. An official translation will only be needed if you are selected as a scholarship finalist.
- Optional proof of English language proficiency. Proof is not required when submitting the scholarship application. However, applicants who advance must meet ASU’s English proficiency requirements for graduate admission. The Scholars Program team will provide instructions and a fee waiver for the Duolingo English Test to those who need it. Do not pay for the test in advance.
Application Deadline
Submit your application by Sunday, 27 September 2026, at 23:59 GMT. After submitting, you will see a confirmation message stating, “Your response has been recorded.” That message is your confirmation. An automated confirmation email may also arrive, but it could be filtered into spam or junk folders.
Note : Scholarship decisions will be made in early 2027. There are no minimums or maximums for country representation in the scholarship program.
The application deadline is . For more details on the Mastercard Innovation and Technology Scholarship at ASU, please visit the official page or email [email protected].