Deadline: December 7, 2023.

From 2023 to 2030, Phase Two of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh will nurture a community of skilled, entrepreneurial, and justice-oriented climate leaders from across Africa.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is about more than just financial support for talented young Africans.

The Scholars Program at the University connects scholars with climate leadership opportunities, networks and support systems to enable them to make the most of the opportunities available, and to give back to their communities.

ELIGIBILE COURSES

This is a one-year postgraduate on-campus scholarship for the following programmes ONLY:

1. Africa and International Development
2. Food Security
3. MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems
4. MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation
5.  MSc Data, Inequality, and Society program
6. MSc Operational Research
7. MSc Environmental Sustainability
8. MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment 
9. MSc Planetary Health
10. MSc Environment and Development

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

You must meet the eligibility criteria to apply:

• Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh for a relevant degree programme listed. You will generally need to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor’s (Hons) degree or higher. 
• Applicants will have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health related).
• Applicants must have graduated from an undergraduate study by September 2023 and must have a degree certificate and official final transcript to upload alongside their application by 7 December.
• Applicants must be residents and citizens or hold refugee status in a Sub-Saharan African country.
• Applicants must have faced barriers to education and in their early career.
• Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service within their community.
• Applicants must demonstrate experience, or at least ambition, in making a meaningful impact in addressing the climate crisis.
• Applicants must be 35 or under as of 1 September 2024.
• Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.
• If applying for the on campus Masters programme: Applicants should not have previously completed a postgraduate degree and should not be enrolled (or apply to enrol) at a separate university whilst on the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.
• They particularly welcome applications from female scholars, scholars from refugee and displaced backgrounds, and scholars with disabilities (see FAQs below for further information) 

BENEFITS

• Covers full approved tuition, accommodation, travel, living cost stipend and study materials.
• A climate leadership programme to inspire and support Scholars in making change in their communities and countries.
• Additional support is offered to scholars with disabilities based on an assessment of needs.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admissions to the University of Edinburgh 
• Track record as a transformative leader and service within their community.
• Quality of application in line with the Scholars Program theme of climate justice.
• Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
• Applicants who have faced  significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health related).

APPLICATION

You must qualify academically for admission to the University of Edinburgh. They require that applicants apply for this scholarship before applying to the University. 

Apply through the OFFICIAL LINK