University of British Columbia Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027: Eligibility, Benefits, Eligible Master’s Programs and How to Apply
Overview
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) supports young Africans pursuing a professional master's degree in Canada, in a partnership between UBC and the Mastercard Foundation. The current phase is expected to support 351 graduate students from Africa between 2024 and 2034. Its academic focus covers forestry, agriculture, food systems, water, land management and data science. Selection considers academic merit alongside transformative leadership, community engagement, application quality and potential development impact. The intake is Winter 2027, with scholars arriving in August 2027.
What you get
The scholarship covers tuition and books, flights and immigration support, room and board, living-expense stipends and health insurance. It also provides career services, access to a global Mastercard Foundation alumni network, and opportunities connected to social entrepreneurship.
Who can apply
Applicants must be African citizens or refugees, aged 35 or younger, with a completed bachelor's degree. Those who already hold a master's degree are not eligible. They must apply to an approved master's programme and meet that programme's minimum admission requirements. If the bachelor's degree was not taught in English, a TOEFL or IELTS result may be needed.
Eligible programmes are the Master of Food and Resource Economics and Master of Food Science in Land and Food Systems; in Forestry, the Master of Sustainable Forest Management, Master of International Forestry, Master of Urban Forestry Leadership, Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management and the thesis-based MSc or MASc in Forestry; and the Master of Data Science in Science.
Key dates
Applications open on 31 August 2026 and expressions of interest are due on 6 September 2026. Invitations to apply for the scholarship run from 15 to 30 September 2026, UBC faculty applications from 1 to 20 November 2026, and interviews from December 2026 to January 2027. Offers are expected from February to early March 2027.