University of Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for African Students

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge is designed to provide talented students from economically marginalised and hard-to-reach communities in Africa with fully-funded opportunities to complete their Master’s training, grow in transformative leadership, and contribute to climate resilience and sustainability in Africa. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program covers the cost of travel and visas, accommodation, meals, allowance for a laptop, health cover, and a living stipend – as well as tuition costs. It also provides an allowance for dependant children who may accompany a Scholar.

Prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars can apply to the majority of courses available at the University since addressing the climate crisis requires a range of expertise across both scientific/STEM disciplines and the arts, humanities and social sciences. The Program trains these scholars in a range of academic disciplines – from the creative arts and writing, through the social sciences, to more scientific and technical disciplines: because a multidisciplinary approach to climate action and response is critical.

In addition to full funding (fees and maintenance), the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge will provide scholars with support for travel to and from the UK (including visas, if needed). In addition, Scholars will benefit from a cohort-wide induction programme, likely to require early arrival in Cambridge before the start of the course.

As part of the application process, prospective Scholars will be required to provide a supplementary statement which indicates their personal commitment to contributing to climate-resilient and sustainable futures for Africa.

The University is looking to support students with academic talent and a commitment to giving back to their community, in particular a desire and commitment to contribute to climate-resilient and sustainable futures for Africa and the world. African women, refugees and internally displaced people, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Application deadline :  1 December 2022 or 5 Jan 2023 depending on course of study.

For information on eligibility criteria and the application process visit: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/funding-overview/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-university-cambridge