Application Deadline: 14 December 2026
Applications are now open for the Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po is designed for students from the African continent who wish to pursue a two-year Master’s degree at Sciences Po. The Program covers the full financial needs of selected Scholars and provides comprehensive support throughout their two years of study at Sciences Po.
The Scholars Program
Two-year Master’s degree
If you hold a bachelor’s degree
Executive Master “Politiques et management du développement – Potentiel Afrique”
If you hold a higher education degree (at least 5 years of professional experience and speak French)
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold the citizenship of an African country. Applicants holding dual citizenship that includes citizenship of a country outside the African continent are not eligible.
- Be currently completing, or already hold, a Bachelor’s degree from one of the universities on this list of institutions.
- Or, be currently completing, or already hold, a Bachelor’s degree and have participated in a recognised bridge programme or mentoring programme offered by one of the approved organisations (see the list of institutions).
- Or, be currently completing, or already hold, a Bachelor’s degree and currently hold, or have previously held, UNHCR refugee status.
- Be under 35 years of age on 1 September of the year in which the scholarship application is submitted.
- Not already hold, or currently pursuing, a Master’s degree.
- Be applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the first time.
Benefits
A comprehensive grant
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:
- Support in the run-up to leaving for France, tailored support when they arrive, and an official welcome programme to help them integrate in their first few weeks.
- Housing in Paris reserved for Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
- Personalised 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 programme 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.
Application Deadline
- 23 November 2026 if you wish to receive your master’s admission decision by 11 February 2027.
- 14 December 2026 if you wish to receive your master’s admission decision by 1 April 2027.
Please note: Regardless of the date on which you submit your application for a master’s program at Sciences Po, the results of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program selection process will be communicated in April 2027.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
