Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the American University in Cairo Opens Applications for Spring 2027

Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the American University in Cairo provides full scholarships and professional development opportunities for talented young Africans pursuing postgraduate studies. The initiative aims to expand access to quality higher education, strengthen leadership capabilities, and support individuals dedicated to creating social and economic change in their communities and across the African continent. The programme begins in Spring 2027 and includes academic mentorship, civic engagement, entrepreneurship training, and practical fieldwork experiences.

Who can apply

Applicants must currently reside in an African country, hold citizenship of at least one African country, and be aged 35 or younger at the time of application. Candidates must apply as new graduate degree-seeking students at the American University in Cairo, as transfer students are ineligible. Additional criteria include holding a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent, demonstrating financial need, and satisfying the university's graduate admission requirements.

What you get

The scholarship covers tuition fees for nine academic credits per semester, student services and activities fees, medical services, and health insurance fees. It also provides a stipend during the fall and spring semesters, one laptop for academic and research activities, and university dormitory accommodation for eligible scholars living outside Cairo. Further benefits include an AUC bus subscription or travel allowance, return airfare for fellows residing outside Egypt, and potential funding for remedial English modules, intensive English courses, research activities, publication expenses, conference attendance, and specialised software or IT purchases for scholars with disabilities.

Requirements

Scholars must maintain full-time student status and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2, with academic progress reviewed every semester. Recipients are assigned 12 hours per week of relevant academic work, and those undertaking teaching assistantship responsibilities must complete mandatory university training. Fellows are also required to respond promptly to reporting requests from the American University in Cairo or the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and attend all compulsory supplementary workshops covering leadership, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship.

How to apply

Candidates must complete two separate application stages. First, applicants must review the American University in Cairo graduate admission requirements and submit the official online graduate application. Second, eligible candidates must separately complete and submit the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program online application. Prospective applicants should consult official application instructions and deadlines to ensure all guidelines and supporting document requirements are fulfilled.