Deadline: December 1, 2024.

Since 2017, Sciences Po is the only institution in continental Europe to partner with the Mastercard Foundation. Since then, it has been an instrumental member of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, offering a world-class education in the humanities and social sciences that pairs rigorous academic standards with proven expertise in preparing students for the globalised job market.

For its second strategic phase (2024 – 2034), the goal of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po is to support 1,450 students and young professionals who demonstrate academic excellence, strong leadership potential and a commitment to achieving change in Africa, but who face significant financial barriers to higher education.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:

• Hold citizenship in a country within Sub-Saharan Africa. Candidates who hold a second citizenship from the European Economic Area are not eligible.
• Have completed or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree programme at one of Sciences Po’s institutions of reference (see the list of institutions).
• Or have completed or are currently enrolled in a training foundation or mentoring programme offered by a bridging programme organisation partnering with the Mastercard Foundation (see the list of institutions).
• Be in genuine need of funding for your higher education (please note: documents proving your financial situation will be required for your application).
• Show a commitment to achieving change in Africa, particularly in the areas of public policy and major political, environmental and societal transitions.
• Be under  35 when you begin your Master’s programme.
• Not already hold or be completing a Master’s degree. 
• Be applying for a two-year Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s seven Graduate Schools. Applicants for one-year Master’s, dual degrees or joint Master’s programmes are not eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars  Program.

BENEFITS

In addition to funding tuition, Sciences Po provides Scholars with a range of tailored resources to support their studies and facilitate their transition into employment. Specifically, Scholars have access to:

• Support in the run-up to leaving for France, tailored support when they arrive, and an official welcome programme to help them integrate in their first few weeks.
• Housing in Paris reserved for Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
• Personalised support throughout their studies, ensuring every student has the best possible experience at Sciences Po.
• Careers support: guidance to help students identify their professional aspirations; a careers fair focusing on employment and internship opportunities in Africa; access to the university’s business incubator (FR) and its network of employers and alumni working in Africa; opportunities to attend careers support workshops, conferences, etc.
• A mentoring programme co-run with the Africa Division of Sciences Po Alumni.
• Access to the wide range of general resources Sciences Po provides to guide students through every step of their studies.

APPLICATION

1. To be selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must first be accepted onto a Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s seven Graduate Schools.
2. From September 2024, applications for Sciences Po Master’s programmes and for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will be handled through a single procedure and platform. You will need to apply for your chosen Master’s programme and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program via the international graduate admissions procedure.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL LINK