Apply for Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026-2028  in France (Deadline: Ongoing)

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is open to students who are admitted onto a master’s program at Sciences Po and who meet the eligibility criteria for the scholarship. Students receive the scholarships and financial aid throughout the two years of their master’s program.

Only admitted students to a master’s program at Sciences Po can join the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po. You can apply to any of the Master’s degree programs offered at  Sciences Po’s Graduate Schools , except the dual degree programs and the one year master’s program .

Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Aim and Benefits of Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses in France, throughout the recipient’s time studying at Sciences Po.

Tailored support

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:

Scholarship search tools

• Support in the run-up to leaving for France, tailored support when they arrive, and an official welcome program  to help them integrate in their first few weeks.
• Housing in Paris  reserved for Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
• Personalized 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 entrepreneurship track, 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 program  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.

Requirements for Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Qualification

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

• Hold citizenship in a country within Africa. Candidates who hold a second citizenship from a country outside the African continent 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 a Master’s degree.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

If you want to apply to both Sciences Po and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, we strongly advise you to begin preparing and assembling the supporting documents  you need for your application well in advance, as it will certainly take a long time to obtain some of them (see below).

• Application platform opens:  early October 2025
• Application deadline for Master’s programs and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:  4th January 2026
• Sciences Po admissions  decisions released:  mid-December 2025, mid-February 2026, early April 2026, depending on the application date .
• Scholarship allocation decisions released:  early May 2026
• Master’s programs begin:  end of August 2026

Documents Required for Application

They strongly advise you to begin preparing and assembling the supporting documents you need for your application well in advance (before the application platform opens):

• 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.
• Proof of current or past enrolment at one of Sciences Po’s institutions of reference.

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