The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), will provide graduate scholarships to train 120 young African professionals at the master’s level for various programs over 5 years (2025–2030). This is a fully immersive and traditional on-campus 2-year master’s program with an emphasis on technology and innovation. Additionally, this program aims to equip African youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in areas such as technology and sustainable innovation.
Application Deadline:
- Sunday, 22 November at 23:59 GMT (Late applications will not be considered).
Tell Me About The Program:
The 2027 Innovation and Technology Scholarship—offered by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and Kepler College—provides 50 graduate study opportunities for young African professionals. Scholars pursue full-time ASU Online master’s degrees while living in Kigali, Rwanda, receiving comprehensive in-person residential support, academic advising, leadership development, mentorship, and career programming from Kepler College.
Which Fields are Eligible:
- MS Business Analytics
- MCS Computer Science
- MS Engineering in Sustainable Engineering
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology (IT)
- MS User Experience
Type:
Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship & Residential Leadership Fellowship
Who can Apply:
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of an African country.
- Age Limit: Must be between 18 and 33 years of age on or before the application deadline.
- Academic Background: Must hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree by July 2027 with a strong academic record (minimum cumulative GPA equivalent to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
- Prior Graduate Study Exclusion: Applicants must not have previously enrolled in or completed a graduate or master’s degree program.
- Language Proficiency: Must meet ASU’s English language proficiency requirements for graduate admission.
- Relocation Requirement: Must be able and willing to relocate to and reside in Kigali, Rwanda, for the entire duration of the academic program.
- Leadership & Commitment: Must demonstrate a strong record of leadership, service, and dedication to driving positive socio-economic impact in their communities.
How are Applicants Selected:
- Initial Screening: Review of the scholarship application, academic transcripts, CV, and letter of recommendation.
- Interview & ASU Admission Guidance: Shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview and provided with an ASU graduate application fee waiver to apply for their chosen academic program. (Note: Academic admission alone does not guarantee the scholarship award).
Which Countries Are Eligible:
African countries (Open to citizens of all African nations).
Where will the Program be Taken:
Kigali, Rwanda (In-person residential and student support at Kepler College while pursuing online graduate coursework through Arizona State University).
How Many Fellows / Grantees:
50 Graduate Scholars for the 2027 cohort.
What is the Benefit of the Program:
- Tuition & Academic Fees: Full coverage of ASU tuition, student fees, and required textbooks.
- Travel & Relocation: Transportation to and from Kigali, Rwanda, at the start and end of the program.
- Living & Administrative Support: Fully covered housing, medical support, visa application processing costs, and English proficiency test vouchers (if needed).
- Application Waiver: Complete ASU graduate application fee waiver for shortlisted candidates.
- Enrichment & Career Development: Access to signature leadership development, mentorship, community engagement, and career support services.
How Long Will it Last:
Full duration of the selected Master’s degree program (typically 1 to 2 years).
How to Apply:
- Complete the initial scholarship application directly through the online application portal or via the downloadable PDF form. (Do NOT apply directly to ASU or pay any university application fees unless instructed by the team).
- Prepare required supporting PDF attachments:
- Updated CV / Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- Official University Transcripts
- For candidates with limited internet access, email the completed PDF application form and required attachments to
[email protected]. - Submit your complete application prior to 22 November at 23:59 GMT. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews and guided through the formal ASU admission process.
Visit the Application Webpage for Details
Arizona State University Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarships Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Makes a Good Scholarship Essay?
Question: What makes a good scholarship essay?
Answer:
A strong scholarship essay demonstrates how your personal and professional experiences make you a strong candidate for graduate studies at ASU and for the specific academic program you are applying to. Focus on clarity, relevance, and authenticity in your writing.
Question: How can I make sure my essay is well written?
Answer:
Ask a trusted friend, mentor, or professor to review your essay. They can help you catch grammar or spelling mistakes and check that your ideas flow well. A second set of eyes can strengthen your application.
Question: Can I use AI tools like ChatGPT to help write my essay?
Answer:
If you choose to use AI tools, you must ensure your final essay is personalized and authentic. Essays that feel generic or clearly generated by AI without human input are easy to spot and will weaken your application. Be sure your essay reflects your voice and story.
Question: What content should my essay include?
Answer:
Your essay should show what makes you unique and how your experiences have shaped your commitment to transforming Africa. It should also reflect a strong understanding of the graduate program you’re applying to and how it connects to your goals.
2. Application Process
Question: What should I do if I need help while filling out the application?
Answer:
If you have any questions or face challenges while completing your application, please email us at [email protected]. We are happy to help clarify requirements or troubleshoot issues.
Question: What academic programs are available through this scholarship?
Answer:
This scholarship offers the following academic programs:
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology
- MS Human Systems Engineering – Intelligent Systems
- MS User Experience
- MSC Computer Science
- MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering
- MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
- MS Clean Energy Systems
- MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
Question: Am I able to apply to other academic programs?
Answer:
The scholarship will only provide opportunities for the above-listed academic programs. These are the programs that have been approved through this scholarship grant. No other programs will be available during this scholarship cycle.
Question: How will my application be evaluated?
Answer:
Applications will be reviewed based on academic background, leadership and service, quality of essays, and alignment with the program’s goals. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.
Question: What if I change my mind about the academic program I selected?
Answer:
Please choose carefully. You will only be considered for the program you select. Changes may not be allowed after submission.
Question: Do I need to apply for academic admission before applying for the scholarship?
Answer:
No. You will need to apply for the scholarship first, and then you will be guided to apply for admission to Arizona State University only if you are selected to interview for the scholarship.
Question: Deadlines are approaching… do I need to apply to ASU before applying for the scholarship? Can I have financial assistance for the graduate application fee now?
Answer:
Admission to the academic program is not required for scholarship eligibility. We advise you to submit the scholarship application first. If you are selected as a scholarship finalist, you will be prompted to apply to the academic program. Do not pay for the application fee.
Please note, getting the scholarship does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.
Question: Does getting the scholarship guarantee admission into the desired graduate program?
Answer:
No. But a graduate program admission is required in order to be selected for the scholarship.
Question: I will graduate with my bachelor’s (undergraduate) degree in 2026. Am I eligible to apply for the scholarship?
Answer:
Your bachelor’s (undergraduate) degree will need to be conferred before July 2026 to be considered eligible. No exceptions will be allowed.
Question: Can I select or apply for more than one academic program?
Answer:
No, we encourage applicants to select only one program they feel a strong interest in.
Question: Can you provide funding for an academic program of my choosing?
Answer:
No, the current scholarship opportunity is only available for the specific programs listed on the application page. These opportunities were pre-arranged with the Mastercard Foundation and the academic departments long ago.
Question: What if I don’t have a Bachelor’s degree, but I have something that is post-high school education?
Answer:
To be considered for this scholarship, it is a requirement that you have a bachelor’s degree or that you have completed your bachelor’s degree by July 2026.
3. Recommendation Letters
Question: Could you elaborate on the recommendation letter requirements?
Answer:
This scholarship application requires one letter, which should speak to your leadership, academic success, etc. Most academic admission applications require more than one letter, and you might be able to reuse the letter of recommendation submitted for this scholarship. Please ensure that you are uploading PDF recommendations that are signed by the recommender. Word documents may not be reviewed.
Question: Can I use an older letter of recommendation?
Answer:
You can, but we strongly encourage using letters written within the past year. Recent letters give reviewers the most up-to-date view of your experience and strengths.
Question: Can my recommender submit a letter of recommendation directly? To whom should my letter of recommendation be addressed?
Answer:
Our preference would be to have your recommender send the letter directly to you, and you can upload it when you submit the rest of your application materials.
However, if your recommender would like to send your letter directly to us, advise them to include your name, and send it to our email address: [email protected]
Question: Does submitting a non-academic recommendation letter reduce your chances of being accepted?
Answer:
A non-academic recommendation letter is fine for the scholarship application, but the academic program will require recommendation letters that speak to your academic abilities/experience.
4. Transcripts and Language Requirements
Question: Do I need to submit an official translation if my transcript is in French?
Answer:
Please submit the responses to the online scholarship application form in English. For the additional materials, including letters of recommendation, resumes, and transcripts, those can be submitted in French. Our Francophone staff will be able to review your application materials in full.
An official transcript translation will only be needed if you are selected as a scholarship finalist. At that point, you may be asked to produce an official translation to apply to the academic program. However, for this scholarship application, a transcript translation is not required.
Question: Do I need to submit proof of English proficiency for the scholarship?
Answer:
No, it is not required for the scholarship application. However, if selected as a finalist, you will need to provide it for ASU graduate admission.
