SciencesPo – Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

November 11, 2024
Opportunities, Scholarships
2 min read

Students receive the scholarships and financial aid throughout the two years of their Master’s programme.

You can apply to any of the Master’s degree programmes offered at Sciences Po’s seven Graduate Schools.

Admissions timeline for the 2025-2027 Program

  • Application platform opens: September 2024
  • Application deadline for Master’s programmes and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: 1st of December 2024
  • Sciences Po admissions decisions released: mid-February 2025
  • Scholarship allocation decisions released: from March 2025
  • Master’s programmes begin: end of August 2025

Eligibility criteria for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

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.

Applying for the Program

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.

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.

Preparing  your application

Before you begin your application, please check you meet the eligibility criteria for Sciences Po’s graduate programmes and the specific language requirements for each programme. Sciences Po offers English, French and bilingual programmes.

  • We strongly advise you to begin preparing and assembling the supporting documents you need for your application well in advance (before the application platform opens):
  • Proof of current or past enrolment at one of Sciences Po’s institutions of reference
  • All supporting documents required for international graduate admissions to Sciences Po.
  • Valid photo ID.
  • Proof of income (or lack thereof) demonstrating your financial circumstances: tax documents and/or income statements; scholarship certificates; or any other legal document attesting to your financial situation. You must submit at least one document with your application. Bank statements will not be accepted. If you are currently receiving a scholarship (from the Mastercard Foundation or another funding body), or have received one in the past, please also attach the scholarship certificate.

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