Deadline: December 15, 2025
The Mastercard Foundation Scholsrs Program at CMU-Africa 2026-2027 is a fully funded scholarship initiative designed to empower talented African students who face social or economic barriers. This programme enables recipients to pursue a Master of Science degree at Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa) in Rwanda, while equipping them with technical, leadership and community-oriented skills.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa includes:
- Full tuition and fees, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses.
- Application preparation support, orientation and ongoing academic-career support.
- Career preparation via internships, networking with industry, one-on-one coaching and career fairs.
- Leadership development through training, student-club involvement and community service to build transformative leaders.
- Opportunities for scholars to give back by leading or participating in community service projects.
Eligible Programmes
Selected scholars may enrol in one of the following Master of Science programmes at CMU-Africa:
- MSc in Information Technology (MSIT)
- MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS ECE)
- MSc in Engineering Artificial Intelligence (MS EAI)
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa, applicants must:
- Be citizens of an African country.
- Demonstrate financial or social barriers to opportunity.
- Exhibit strong academic talent and a clear motivation to succeed.
- Show commitment to giving back and community engagement.
- Display leadership potential, aiming to be a change-maker, mentor or role model.
- First secure admission into one of the CMU-Africa eligible Master’s degree programmes.
Application Process & Deadline
Applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa must complete the online admission application for one of the eligible CMU-Africa Master’s programmes, and also indicate their interest in the Scholars programme. The selection may involve competency tests such as English proficiency or other assessments for non-native speakers. The deadline for the 2026-2027 intake is 15 December 2025 (early admission).
Why Apply?
Applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa presents several compelling benefits:
- A fully funded Master’s education at a top-tier engineering institution in Africa.
- Access to not only cutting-edge technical education, but also leadership development, career coaching and community impact experiences.
- The chance to join a pan-African network of scholars who are prepared to drive social and economic change across the continent.
How to Apply
Ready to take the next step?
Apply here
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