Mastercard Foundation x ASU 2026: Fully Funded Graduate Scholarships for Africans

Mastercard Foundation x ASU 2026: Fully Funded Graduate Scholarships for Africans

The Arizona State University (ASU) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026 offers a rare, life-changing chance for young African leaders to gain a world-class graduate education combined with hands-on support and community in Kigali, Rwanda. This phase of the program blends ASU’s high-quality online degrees with local, in-person wrap-around services provided by Kepler College, creating a hybrid model that balances flexibility with face-to-face mentoring, peer support and practical experience.

If you’re from Africa, driven to solve real problems, and need training that fits around your life and responsibilities, this scholarship could be the stepping stone to bigger impact back home. Below I’ve written a long, human-centred guide that explains everything you need to know — what the programme gives you, who is eligible, how to apply, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips that will increase your chances. It’s written with South African and broader African applicants in mind, and includes links to official pages and our own resources to help you follow up.

Join our WhatsApp updates for rapid alerts and help: Jobs Connect ZA. You can also find related scholarship information and application advice on Wikihii.co.za.

Introduction — what this scholarship really is

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU is designed for African graduates who show leadership potential and want to pursue master’s level studies in areas that matter to Africa’s future: sustainable engineering, data and technology for development, learning design, global technology and development, and business analytics. The programme funds tuition, living-related costs, travel where needed, and important prep expenses (like visa and English tests). It also expects scholars to be part of an intensive cohort experience in Kigali — learning with peers, receiving mentorship, getting career support and connecting to local and international networks.

This hybrid model is unique: you’ll study for an ASU degree (largely online), but you’ll have the social and developmental benefits of being in a dedicated learning community in Kigali, supplied by Kepler. That matters: learning becomes practical, relationships form, and you don’t have to sacrifice community for flexibility.

Why it matters — opportunities this scholarship creates

Let’s be honest: a fully-funded master’s can change the trajectory of your career and life. For many applicants from Africa, the barriers to postgraduate education are financial, logistical and informational. This scholarship removes most of those obstacles, while also building leadership and networks that matter for long-term impact.

Concrete opportunities you get as a scholar

• Cost removed: Visa fees, test costs, tuition, housing and travel are covered — meaning you can focus on learning, not on how to pay the next bill.
• Quality education: An ASU degree gives you technical depth plus a recognised international credential.
• Community and coaching: Kepler’s in-person supports in Kigali include mentoring, peer study groups, and practical career guidance — things online-only learners often miss.
• Career pathways: Scholars get transition support to find meaningful work after graduation — the kind of jobs that multiply impact in communities.
• Network effects: You become part of a pan-African community of alumni and leaders who continue to exchange opportunities, collaborate and amplify each other.

For South Africans and others in the region, this can be a route into roles in government, NGOs, research organisations, startups and private companies that need skilled people who understand both development challenges and technology or systems thinking.

Who should apply — is this for you?

You should consider applying if you:

• Are a citizen or resident of an African country (including refugees).
• Have completed — or will complete — an undergraduate degree by July 2026.
• Are between 18 and 33 years old on the application deadline (the program sets this age cap).
• Have a clear interest in one of the programme areas (e.g., Sustainable Engineering, Business Analytics, Learning Design, Global Technology & Development, Information Technology).
• Have evidence of community engagement or leadership — you don’t have to have managed a company, but you should show initiative and impact.
• Can commit to living in Kigali for the duration required by the programme.

Important reality check: this is competitive. The scholarship looks for candidates who have shown resilience and leadership despite barriers (financial, social, geographic or other). If you’ve worked on community projects, led a student group, run a small initiative or helped scale a local solution — make that story central to your application.

Aim and benefits — what the scholarship covers

The ASU Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers a wide range of expenses and offers programme-specific benefits:

• Tuition, books and fees: Full academic costs for the ASU-approved degree.
• Accommodation and living support: Stays in Kigali are supported, including housing costs where applicable.
• Travel support: Travel to/from Kigali and related transit costs.
• Visa and testing: Costs for visa processing and English language tests (where required) are covered.
• Medical expenses: Basic medical support related to programme participation.
• Wrap-around services: Kepler provides in-person coaching, study sessions, and community building.
• Programme activities: Participation in scholarship programming such as workshops, mentorship and career prep.

These benefits are designed so you can commit to learning and leadership rather than worrying about day-to-day survival.

What courses are offered — pick the right fit

The programme highlights several tech, development and systems-focused masters that align with Africa’s needs:

• Business Analytics — great if you love data, decision-making and turning information into action.
• Global Technology and Development — ideal for those wanting to use tech for social and economic change.
• Information Technology — technical depth for those wanting to build systems, platforms and infrastructure.
• Learning Design and Technologies — for educators, curriculum designers and e-learning innovators.
• Sustainable Engineering — engineering solutions focused on environmental resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

Choose a programme that matches three things: your background, your short-term career goals, and the long-term impact you want to make in your community.

Eligibility checklist — practical items to prepare

Before you apply, confirm the following:

• Your undergraduate degree will be conferred by July 2026.
• You are within the age limit (18–33) as defined by the program.
• You have strong evidence of leadership and public service.
• You can live in Kigali for the required duration if selected.
• You have scanned copies of your degree certificate and official transcripts ready to upload.
• Your referees (academic or professional) are available and willing to submit recommendations when asked.

How the selection process works — step by step

1. Submit application: Complete the scholarship application online (preferred) or via PDF if internet access is limited.
2. Initial review: Applications are screened for eligibility and completeness.
3. Shortlisting: Strong candidates are shortlisted for interviews.
4. Interviews: Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by the selection panel (video or phone).
5. Final decision: Scholarship offers are announced by late April 2026.
6. Pre-departure: Successful candidates receive support for visa, travel and on-site orientation in Kigali by July 2026.

Note: Do NOT apply for ASU admission yourself at this stage. The scholarship application is separate; if you’re awarded the scholarship, you will be supported to apply for the ASU degree through the correct channels.

Application deadline and timelines — mark your calendar

• Application deadline: 23:59 GMT, 2 November 2025 (no late applications accepted).
• Document upload deadline (if specified): Follow the scholarship guidance carefully — any documents required must be submitted on time.
• Interview & selection period: Between late 2025 and early 2026; final decisions by late April 2026.
• Programme start (on-site in Kigali): July 2026 (selected candidates travel to Kigali).

How to apply — clear steps and tips

There are two ways to apply: online (strongly recommended) or by email if you have limited internet access. The scholarship portal is the main channel; use it whenever possible for the fastest processing.

Online application (recommended)

Start at the official application site and complete the online form. Prepare these documents before you begin:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume) — focused, two pages is fine.
• Personal statement — explain your leadership story, why you chose your programme, and how you plan to use it in Africa.
• Degree certificate and final transcript (official).
• Contact details for referees (they may be asked to submit a recommendation).
• Any required identification documents (passport or national ID).

If the portal asks for forms or templates, use them exactly as provided — the program often disqualifies applications that don’t follow instructions.

Email application (if internet access is limited)

Download and complete the PDF version of the application, gather your attachments and email the full package to the address specified by the program (for example, KeplerASUScholars@asu.edu in previous rounds). Always check the official call for the correct address and naming convention for attachments.

Common challenges — why applications fail and how to avoid it

Here are the most common reasons applicants are disqualified or rejected — and how you can avoid them:

• Missing or inadequate documents: Upload all required documents in the correct format. Don’t send partial packages.
• Poorly written personal statements: Avoid generic phrases. Use concrete examples: what you did, the impact, the numbers if possible, and what you learned.
• Weak referees: Choose referees who know your work and can provide specific examples — not just generic praise.
• Not demonstrating leadership: Even small-scale leadership counts — community groups, initiatives, campaigns — show evidence and outcomes.
• Missing deadlines: There is zero tolerance for late submissions.

Tips for a strong, human application — stand out with clarity and honesty

These practical tips come from reviewers’ common feedback and scholarship coaching best practices:

1. Tell a leadership story: Start your personal statement with a short, specific story that illustrates your leadership and why the chosen field matters to you.
2. Be impact-focused: Show the outcomes of your work (e.g., “I led a three-month project that increased water access for 2,000 people”). Numbers and timelines help reviewers trust your claims.
3. Link study to change: Explain clearly how the exact ASU programme will give you the knowledge or tools you need to solve a particular problem back home.
4. Get referees ready early: Brief them about the scholarship, supply them with your CV and key achievements to make their letters concrete and aligned with your narrative.
5. Proofread and get feedback: Don’t submit a document with typos. Ask a trusted mentor or colleague to read your essays and give honest feedback.
6. Show resilience: If you faced barriers, describe them honestly and focus on the positive choices you made and the lessons learned.
7. Be authentic: Don’t write what you think selectors want to hear; write what you actually did and plan to do. Authenticity is memorable.

What to expect if you’re selected — life as a scholar

If you receive the scholarship, expect an intensive but rewarding experience. You’ll combine online coursework from ASU with in-person modules, workshops and mentorship at Kepler in Kigali. You’ll live and learn with a cohort of peers who share your mission and face similar challenges. The programme places emphasis on applied learning, so you’ll be supported to translate ideas into pilot projects or prototypes that can be implemented in Africa.

Support for visa, travel and health logistics will be provided, but you should also prepare emotionally: moving to a new city, adapting to a hybrid study model and balancing coursework with community engagements will require good time management and resilience.

Useful resources and official links

• Mastercard Foundation (main site): mastercardfdn.org
• Kepler (Rwanda partner): kepler.org
• Arizona State University: asu.edu
• Application portal (check official call): follow links published in the scholarship announcement or contact the programme email (e.g., KeplerASUScholars@asu.edu where applicable).
• Wikihii Scholarships hub: Wikihii.co.za Scholarships — for curated calls and reminders.
• WhatsApp updates: Join Jobs Connect ZA for quick alerts and Q&A.

Conclusion — final encouragement and practical checklist

This scholarship is more than a degree: it’s a community, a safety net and a platform for practical action. If you’re driven by a real problem in your community and you can show clear leadership and a plan for change, you belong in the applicant pool. Start now: collect your transcripts, speak to strong referees, craft a compelling motivation story, and join communities (like our WhatsApp channel) where you can get reminders, tips and peer support.

Quick checklist before you submit:

• ✅ Final transcript & degree certificate ready
• ✅ CV tailored to the scholarship (focus on leadership & impact)
• ✅ Personal statement with a clear leadership story and impact plan
• ✅ Referees briefed and contactable
• ✅ Documents scanned and named correctly
• ✅ Application submitted before 23:59 GMT, 2 November 2025

If you want tailored help — for example, a short review of your CV or motivation letter — share a draft on our Jobs Connect ZA channel and our community will help with feedback and reminders.

Good luck — and remember, scholarships like this prefer applicants who are both technically capable and deeply committed to serving their communities. If that’s you, apply with confidence and authenticity.