Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at Sciences Po (Fully Funded)

Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po provides fully funded master's degree opportunities for students from Africa at Sciences Po in France. Designed to equip the next generation of African leaders with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective needed to address the continent's pressing challenges, the program targets highly motivated individuals committed to social impact and community development. Eligible fields of study include Business Administration, Law, Social Sciences, Journalism, and Information Sciences, with instruction available in English and French.

Who can apply

Applicants must be nationals of an eligible African country or from eligible asylum-seeking countries, aged 35 years or younger at the time of application. Candidates must demonstrate an excellent academic record, leadership potential, strong English or French language skills depending on the chosen program, and a commitment to making a lasting social and economic impact in Africa while facing significant financial barriers to higher education. Eligible nationalities include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

What you get

The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend for living expenses, university housing, comprehensive health insurance, visa costs, and round-trip airfare. Additional benefits include an application fee waiver, a settling-in allowance to help students adjust to life in France, mentorship, psychological support, and access to an extensive network of scholars.

Requirements

Applicants must prepare academic transcripts and certificates, proof of nationality and identity, a personal statement explaining leadership potential and community impact, letters of recommendation, language proficiency proof if required, and documents supporting financial need.

How to apply

Candidates must complete the online application through the official Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship portal. Shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview before final selection.

Key dates

The application deadline is November 30, 2026.