Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at American University of Cairo (AUC) Spring 2027
Overview
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at American University of Cairo offers full scholarships and comprehensive support to talented young people from across Africa. The initiative allows participants to pursue higher education while building their leadership potential and capacity to drive positive impact in their communities, countries, and across the continent. Scholars engage in leadership development activities, fieldwork experiences, and workshops designed to prepare them as agents of meaningful change.
What you get
Selected participants receive full coverage for tuition fees covering nine credits per semester, along with a stipend distributed during the fall and spring semesters. The award also includes student services and activities fees, medical service and health insurance fees, and one provided laptop. Individuals residing outside of Cairo receive university accommodation or residence in university dorms, as well as an AUC bus subscription or travel allowance. Fellows not residing in Egypt receive roundtrip airfare. Additional provisions may cover intensive English courses or remedial English modules, special software subscriptions or IT purchases for individuals with disabilities, and extra funding for conference attendance, research, and publication fees for eligible candidates.
Who can apply
Applicants must currently reside in an African country and hold citizenship in at least one African country, with an age of 35 or younger at the time of application. Eligible candidates are new graduate degree-seeking students who meet AUC graduate admissions requirements, as transfer students are not permitted. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale or an equivalent metric, and they must demonstrate financial need.
Key dates
The application deadline is November 2, 2026.
How to apply
The application process involves two distinct steps. First, applicants must check the application procedures and submit the online application for the American University of Cairo. Second, candidates must submit the official online application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.