Arizona State University Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarships for Africans
Applications now open for the Arizona State University Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarships for Africans. The Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), will offer graduate scholarships aimed at training 120 young African professionals at the master’s level across various programs over a span of 5 years (2025 – 2030). This program is a fully immersive and traditional on-campus 2-year master’s course that focuses on technology and innovation. Acknowledging the swift advancement of the global digital economy, this initiative seeks to equip African youth with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in fields such as technology and sustainable innovation.
Thirty scholarships are available for students who are admitted for the 2026/2027 academic year, which will cover full tuition fees, accommodation expenses, and comprehensive support for the 2-year graduate program. In addition to financial assistance, Scholars will engage in activities as part of the broader Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU, which includes a leadership curriculum, individual mentorship, and various events and programming. While classes are ongoing, Scholars will have the chance to work part-time in on-campus roles, either with the Baobab Platform team or within the larger ASU community. Between their first and second years, Scholars will receive support to undertake a 2-month internship that corresponds with their field of study.
A key expectation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is that participants will return to their home countries to apply their acquired skills and education towards the social and economic development of their nations. Women, refugees and displaced individuals, as well as persons with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to submit their applications. ASU is dedicated to improving the quality of the educational experience for students by ensuring accessibility across all programs and services.
Scholarships are available for the following full-time, on-campus graduate programs:
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology
- MS Human Systems Engineering – Intelligent Systems
- MS User Experience
- MSC Computer Science
- MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering
- MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
- MS Clean Energy Systems
- MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the degree of their choice that includes English proficiency.
- Applicants must be a citizen of an African country committed to ethical leadership and demonstrated engagement in their community.
- Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 33 on or before the application deadline.
- Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service in their community.
- Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and ambitions that exceed one’s financial resources.
- Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree conferred by August 2026.
- Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or masters degrees before August 2026.
- Applicants must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the duration of the program.
Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be reviewed or considered.
Value of the Scholarship
The Scholarship will cover the following:
- Costs incurred for visa application processing
- Costs incurred for English language tests
- Costs incurred for program application
- Airfare to and from Phoenix, Arizona
- Full tuition, books and fees
- Medical expenses
- On campus housing
- Participation in Scholarship programming
Awards are tenable for the duration of the graduate program of study.
The deadline for all applications will be 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 14 September. No applications will be accepted past this deadline. All applicants must first apply for the scholarship. Those who are selected to advance beyond the initial review, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to Arizona State University. Do not apply to admission to ASU. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email to schedule an interview via video or phone call. Final scholarship decisions will be made by late February 2026. Successful applicants will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to join the Program in August 2026.
- All applicants, once registered, should have read and understood the application guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting an application to the Program to avoid any errors or incorrect information. Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation reserve the right to cancel incomplete and/or late applications, to effect changes to the conditions of the scholarship or to make no awards at all.
- Admission to the academic program does not guarantee being awarded the scholarship.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions here and direct any questions to [email protected]. - There are 2 ways to submit your application:
- We encourage applicants to submit an online application. To proceed to the online application, please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to begin.
OR
If you have limited internet access, click to HERE view and download the PDF version of the form. To submit, email your completed application and all required attachments (CV/Resume, Letter of Recommendation, and Transcripts) to [email protected]. However, if you are able to submit online, please click NEXT to proceed to the application.
- VISI the official website
