Apply Now: 2026 Fully-Funded Innovation and Technology Scholarship for Africans | Mastercard Foundation and Arizona State University (ASU)

Scholarship Overview

The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), will provide graduate scholarships to train 160 young African professionals at the master’s level for various programs over 5 years (2025 – 2030). This scholarship program offers a unique opportunity for students to pursue an ASU Online degree while benefiting from in-person support and comprehensive wrap-around services provided through Kepler College in Rwanda. This innovative approach combines the flexibility of an online education with the personalized guidance, resources, and community engagement available at Kepler College to ensure a well-rounded and supportive learning experience.

40 Scholarships are available for students admitted for the 2026/2027 academic year, which will cover the full tuition fees, expenses for accommodation, and comprehensive support for the 2-year graduate program. On top of financial support, Scholars will participate in enriching activities including individual mentorship, leadership development, and other events and programming. Between the first and second year, Scholars will be supported to participate in a 2-month summer intensive experience that aligns with their program of study.

A strong expectation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is that participants use the skills and education they gain to contribute to their communities, fostering social and economic growth in their home countries. Women, refugees and displaced persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Scholarships are available for the following full-time, online graduate programs:

MS Global Technology and Development

MSE Sustainable Engineering

MS Information Technology

MS Business Analytics

MEd Learning Design and Technologies

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the degree of their choice that includes English proficiency.
• Applicants must be a citizen of an African country committed to ethical leadership and demonstrated engagement in their community.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 33 on or before the application deadline.
• Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service in their community.
• Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and ambitions that exceed one’s financial resources.
• Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree conferred by July 2026.
• Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or masters degrees before July 2026.
• Applicants must be able to live in Kigali, Rwanda for the duration of the program

Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be reviewed or considered.

Value of the Scholarship

The Scholarship will cover the following:

• Costs incurred for visa application processing
• Costs incurred for English language tests
• Costs incurred for program application
• Travel to and from Kigali, Rwanda
• Full tuition, books and fees
• Medical expenses
• Student housing
• Participation in Scholarship programming

Awards are tenable for the duration of the graduate program of study.

The deadline for all applications will be 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 2 November.  No applications will be accepted past this deadline. All applicants must first apply for the scholarship.  Those who are selected to advance beyond the initial review, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to Arizona State University. Do not apply to admission to ASU. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email to schedule an interview via video or phone call.  Final scholarship decisions will be made by late April 2026. Successful applicants will travel to Kigali, Rwanda to join the Program in July 2026.

All applicants, once registered, should have read and understood the application guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting an application to the Program to avoid any errors or incorrect information. Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU reserve the right to cancel incomplete and/or late applications, to effect changes to the conditions of the scholarship or to make no awards at all.

Admission to the academic program does not guarantee being awarded the scholarship.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions HERE and direct any questions to KeplerASUScholars@asu.edu.

There are 2 ways to submit your application:

We encourage applicants to submit an online application.  To proceed to the online application, please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to begin.

OR

If you have limited internet access, view and download the PDF Version of the form. To submit, email your completed application and required attachments (Scholarship Application, CV/Resume, Letter of Recommendation, and Transcripts) to KeplerASUScholars@asu.edu.

However, if you can submit online, click HERE to proceed to the online application.