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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley

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The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley supports 201 master’s degree students from African countries who are academically talented and committed to transformative change on the continent. The program is fully funded and encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and those who are refugees or displaced.

Provider
UC Berkeley & Mastercard Foundation
Host country
United States
Deadline
December (annual cycle)
Region
California
Official source Track this application

Topics

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
African citizens pursuing a master’s degree, academically talented, and committed to transformative change in Africa. Encourages women, people with disabilities, and refugees/displaced persons.
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Masters
Deadline
December (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

  • African citizens pursuing a master’s degree, academically talented, and committed to transformative change in Africa. Encourages women, people with disabilities, and refugees/displaced persons.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley (2026)

## Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley: Comprehensive Brief ### Overview The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley is a transformative ten-year partnership between the Center for African Studies at UC Berkeley and the Mastercard Foundation. This program is dedicated to empowering 201 master’s degree students from various African countries. The core mission is to support academically talented individuals who possess a strong commitment to driving positive, transformative change across the African continent. The program actively seeks to recruit a diverse cohort of scholars, with a particular encouragement for applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and those who identify as refugees or displaced persons. This initiative underscores a commitment to fostering leadership and impact within Africa through higher education. ### Benefits The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a fully funded opportunity, designed to remove financial barriers for exceptional students. While the source text primarily highlights the fully funded nature of the scholarship, it implicitly covers tuition, living expenses, and other associated costs of pursuing a master's degree at UC Berkeley. Beyond financial support, scholars benefit from being part of a vibrant academic community, gaining access to world-class education, research opportunities, and a network of committed changemakers. The program also supports the development of leadership skills essential for enacting transformative change in their home countries upon graduation. ### Eligibility To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, applicants must be citizens of an African country. The program specifically targets individuals pursuing a master’s degree. A key criterion is academic talent, demonstrating a strong record of academic achievement. Crucially, applicants must also demonstrate a clear commitment to transformative change within Africa. The program encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, including women, persons with disabilities, and individuals who are refugees or internally displaced. The program aims to identify and support future leaders who will contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the continent. ### Required Documents The provided source text does not explicitly list required documents for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley. However, prospective applicants for master’s programs at a prestigious institution like UC Berkeley typically need to prepare a comprehensive set of materials. These commonly include academic transcripts from all prior institutions, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose or personal essay outlining academic and career goals, and a resume or curriculum vitae. Depending on the specific master's program, GRE or other standardized test scores might also be required. Furthermore, given the program's focus on African citizens, proof of citizenship and possibly documentation related to refugee or displaced status may be necessary. It is strongly advised that applicants refer to the official application portal for a definitive list of required documents. ### How to Apply While the source text provides links related to application, it does not explicitly detail the step-by-step application process. It does, however, highlight informational events that are crucial for prospective applicants. These include the Fall 2025 Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair and specific Scholars Program sessions, such as one scheduled for October 7, 2025, at 9 AM PT. A recording of a Fall 2025 Informational Webinar is also available. Generally, applying for master

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • African citizens pursuing a master’s degree, academically talented, and committed to transformative change in Africa. Encourages women, people with disabilities, and refugees/displaced persons.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: African citizens pursuing a master’s degree, academically talented, and committed to transformative change in Africa. Encourages women, people with disabilities, and refugees/displaced persons.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: December (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: December (annual cycle). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      December (annual cycle)

      Provider deadline information: December (annual cycle). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley?+

    African citizens pursuing a master’s degree, academically talented, and committed to transformative change in Africa. Encourages women, people with disabilities, and refugees/displaced persons.

    What funding does the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: December (annual cycle). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: African citizens pursuing a master’s degree, academically talented, and committed to transformative change in Africa. Encourages women, people with disabilities, and refugees/displaced persons.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: December (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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