The UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 offers academically talented students from African countries an opportunity to pursue fully funded master's degree studies at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States.
The programme supports individuals who have demonstrated leadership potential, experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education, and are committed to contributing to Africa's social and economic development.
Selected scholars receive comprehensive financial support covering tuition, university fees, travel, visa-related expenses, accommodation, food and living costs. The programme also offers leadership and entrepreneurship development.
Applications begin with admission to an eligible master's programme at UC Berkeley. Candidates cannot apply directly for the scholarship without first completing the university's graduate admissions process.
Important deadline: African applicants interested in the limited graduate application fee-waiver opportunity should complete the initial required information and provide at least two recommenders by 15 November 2026. Final master's admission deadlines vary by degree programme.
Related: Explore more fully funded master's scholarships for African students on OHUB.
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SCHOLARSHIP LIST INLINE
About this opportunity
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley is administered through the university's Center for African Studies in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The programme supports the education and development of talented young Africans who have faced barriers to quality higher education.
Its aim is to help develop ethical, entrepreneurial and transformative leaders who can contribute to their communities and the African continent.
The current partnership focuses on master's degree students, with opportunities in a wide range of eligible academic disciplines.
UC Berkeley reports that the programme supports approximately 55 master's students annually, with cohorts of at least 29 new scholars entering each year through 2028.
The scholarship is highly competitive, and meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 Overview
Scholarship: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Host country: United States
University: University of California, Berkeley
Programme administrator: UC Berkeley Center for African Studies
Study level: Master's degree
Funding: Comprehensive, fully funded scholarship
Related: Explore more fully funded master's scholarships for African students on OHUB.
Financial Benefits
The programme offers a comprehensive scholarship designed to meet the costs associated with earning an eligible master's degree at UC Berkeley.
1. Full Tuition Coverage
The scholarship covers tuition costs associated with the selected master's programme.
2. University Fees
The award includes applicable Berkeley student fees.
3. International Travel Support
The programme covers travel costs associated with participation in the scholarship.
4. Visa and SEVIS Fees
Official programme guidance confirms that visa and SEVIS fees are included in the scholarship package.
5. Housing Expenses
The award provides support for accommodation costs during the master's programme.
6. Food and Living Expenses
Scholars receive financial support for food and other living expenses.
7. Leadership Development
The programme includes activities intended to strengthen ethical and transformative leadership skills.
8. Entrepreneurship Training
Scholars can participate in entrepreneurship-focused programming and activities connecting them with innovation ecosystems.
9. Professional and Career Development
Scholars can access professional networks and resources supporting their transition into employment and impact-oriented careers.
10. Internship Opportunities in Africa
For master's programmes longer than two semesters, scholars are expected to undertake an approved internship in Africa during their studies.
The programme supports approved internship travel and provides a stipend toward living expenses associated with the internship.
11. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Network
Recipients join a wider community of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and alumni, including access to networks supporting professional development and opportunities across Africa.
Is There a Fixed Monthly Stipend?
The official programme website confirms coverage of living expenses but does not publish one universal monthly stipend amount for all scholars.
Applicants should not rely on unsupported claims of a fixed monthly payment.
The exact financial arrangements are communicated through the programme.
Related: Discover more fully funded scholarships in the USA on OHUB.
What's covered
- Tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Flight/travel costs
Documents Required
The precise admission documents vary by master's programme.
Applicants should prepare the following materials where required:
Completed UC Berkeley graduate admission application
Bachelor's degree certificate or evidence of expected graduation
Official or institution-issued academic transcripts, as required by the programme
Statement of Purpose
Personal History Statement, where required
Academic or professional CV
Names and details of recommenders
Recommendation letters
English-language proficiency evidence, if required
Programme-specific essays or writing samples
Portfolio, where required
Standardised test results, only where required
Other supporting documents requested by the selected degree programme
Documents for the Scholarship Stage
Candidates nominated by their master's programme may be invited to complete a supplemental Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
The exact supplemental questions and required evidence are communicated to invited candidates.
Applicants should be prepared to explain their leadership experience, barriers to higher education, community involvement and intended contribution to Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
The programme identifies several important eligibility criteria.
1. Citizenship of an African Country
Applicants must be citizens of an African country.
The programme includes eligible Africans who have been forcibly displaced or hold refugee status within the African continent.
However, individuals with dual citizenship, asylum or refugee status, or permanent resident status in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or the European Union are not eligible under the programme's published rules.
2. Academic Excellence
Applicants must demonstrate strong academic ability.
All prospective scholars must first be admitted to an eligible UC Berkeley master's degree programme.
3. Leadership Potential
The programme seeks individuals with the potential to lead positive and lasting change.
Applicants should demonstrate ethical leadership, initiative and an ability to work with others.
4. Significant Barriers to Higher Education
The scholarship is intended for talented individuals who have experienced meaningful barriers to educational opportunities.
These barriers may include financial, social, personal, practical or health-related circumstances.
5. Community Engagement
Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to contributing to their community, country or continent.
Examples may include volunteer work, social initiatives, advocacy, entrepreneurship or other meaningful activities.
6. Intention to Return and Contribute to Africa
The programme seeks applicants who intend to return to their home country or contribute to Africa after completing their studies and any permitted post-graduation training.
7. Admission to an Eligible Master's Programme
Applicants must apply to and gain admission to an eligible UC Berkeley master's programme.
8. Programme Duration
The selected master's programme must be two years or shorter.
Concurrent or dual-degree programmes that exceed two years are not eligible.
How to Apply
How to Apply for UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027
The scholarship application process begins with admission to an eligible master's degree.
Step 1: Visit the Official Scholarship Website
Open the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Graduate Application Process.
Read the programme's eligibility rules and application sequence.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you meet the African citizenship requirement and are not affected by the published citizenship or residency exclusions.
Assess your academic qualifications, leadership experience and commitment to Africa.
Step 3: Choose an Eligible Master's Programme
Review the official list of participating master's programmes.
Ensure that your chosen programme lasts no more than two years.
Step 4: Review Your Programme's Admission Deadline
Visit the UC Berkeley Graduate Division admissions website and your chosen department's application page.
Deadlines vary, generally between September and early January.
If a programme has multiple application rounds, scholarship candidates must apply in the first round.
Step 5: Prepare Your Graduate Admission Documents
Gather your academic transcripts, CV, personal statements, references and any additional programme-specific materials.
Step 6: Start the UC Berkeley Graduate Application
Open the university's official graduate admissions portal:
Create an account and select your intended master's programme.
Step 7: Complete Fee-Waiver Preparation by 15 November 2026
If you are interested in the limited graduate application fee-waiver opportunity, complete the basic demographic information and provide the names of at least two recommenders in the online application by 15 November 2026.
Eligible applicants from African countries who complete these steps will receive an invitation to request an admission application fee waiver.
The university expects to communicate fee-waiver decisions before 1 December.
Important: A fee-waiver invitation does not guarantee approval, admission or scholarship selection.
Step 8: Submit Your Master's Admission Application
Complete all required documents and submit the application before the deadline for your chosen degree.
Do not assume that the November 15 fee-waiver date replaces the actual master's application deadline.
Step 9: Await Departmental Review
The graduate degree programme reviews your admission application.
Candidates who meet the programme's standards may be nominated for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program consideration.
Step 10: Complete the Supplemental Scholarship Application if Invited
In February, the Scholars Program invites nominated candidates to complete a separate supplemental application.
Only invited candidates can proceed through this stage.
Step 11: Attend an Online Interview if Selected
In March, selected scholarship candidates are invited to an online interview.
Step 12: Await the Final Scholarship Decision
Final scholarship decisions are communicated in late March or early April.
Selected applicants then receive further information about funding, enrolment and programme preparation.
Related: Find more fully funded postgraduate opportunities for African graduates on OHUB.