Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 for African Students
Sciences Po in Paris, France, will accept applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 from eligible students from African countries.
The programme supports selected students pursuing an eligible two-year, full-time Master’s degree at Sciences Po. It covers the scholars’ full financial needs and provides academic, personal and professional support throughout the two-year programme.
Application dates
- Sciences Po Master’s admissions open: end of September 2026
- Scholarship eligibility and fee-waiver applications: October to mid-December 2026
- Detailed application instructions: available from September 2026
The exact closing date will be published on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- hold citizenship of an African country;
- be under 35 years old on 1 September 2026;
- be completing or already hold a Bachelor’s degree;
- not already hold or be studying for a Master’s degree;
- be applying for the scholarship for the first time; and
- meet the academic and language requirements of their chosen Sciences Po programme.
Applicants with dual citizenship that includes a non-African country are not eligible.
The applicant must also meet at least one of these conditions:
- hold or be completing a Bachelor’s degree at one of the recognised universities;
- have completed an approved bridge or mentoring programme; or
- currently hold or have previously held UNHCR refugee status.
Eligible programmes
The scholarship is available only for two-year Master’s programmes offered through the International Graduate Admissions Procedure.
One-year Master’s programmes, dual degrees and undergraduate programmes are not eligible. All eligible programmes are taught in person in Paris.
View Sciences Po’s two-year Master’s programmes
Selection criteria
Applicants are assessed based on:
- academic achievement;
- financial, social or geographical barriers to education;
- commitment to Africa’s development;
- leadership potential;
- public-service or entrepreneurial experience; and
- capacity to create positive and measurable change.
Particular consideration is given to young women, refugees, displaced persons and applicants with disabilities.
Documents to prepare
Applicants should begin preparing:
- a valid passport or national identity document;
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or proof of current study;
- academic transcripts;
- proof of attendance at a recognised university or bridge programme;
- UNHCR refugee documentation, where applicable;
- language-test results required by the selected programme;
- academic recommendation letters; and
- other documents required for the Sciences Po Master’s application.
How to apply
The application involves two connected stages.
1. Complete the scholarship eligibility form
From October 2026, eligible applicants must complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program eligibility process and request an application-fee waiver.
Successful applicants will receive instructions for submitting their Sciences Po Master’s application without paying the standard €150 application fee.
Check the official scholarship application page
2. Apply for an eligible Master’s programme
Applicants must apply through the International Graduate Admissions Procedure and submit a complete Master’s application before the scholarship deadline.
Read the Sciences Po international graduate application guide
Open the Sciences Po application portal
Admission to Sciences Po does not automatically guarantee selection for the scholarship. Shortlisted admitted candidates will be invited to an online interview.
Important links
- Official Mastercard Foundation Scholarship page
- Scholarship frequently asked questions
- Sciences Po graduate admissions
- Sciences Po application portal
- Available Master’s programmes
- Mastercard Foundation partner page for Sciences Po
Current status: Applications are not yet open. Sciences Po will publish detailed instructions in September 2026, while the scholarship eligibility and fee-waiver process will run from October to mid-December 2026.
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