Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po

Official overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po is a graduate-level scholarship route for students from the African continent who want to pursue a two-year Master’s degree in Paris. Sciences Po says the programme is designed to support students and young professionals who show academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to positive change in Africa, while facing major barriers to higher education. The official Sciences Po guidance also says that detailed fee-waiver application information will be published in September 2026, with fee-waiver applications open from October to mid-December 2026. If you are comparing French or social science options, you may find the course finder , scholarship finder , and articles pages useful, and the CGPA calculator can help you prepare your academic profile. (sciencespo.fr)

Funding and benefits

Sciences Po states that the programme covers the full financial needs of selected Scholars and provides comprehensive support throughout the two years of study. The foundation page also describes support that helps scholars prepare for departure, arrive in France, and integrate in the first weeks. Sciences Po’s related guidance confirms that this is a full scholarship route rather than a partial fee discount. (sciencespo.fr)

Eligibility

Confirmed eligibility includes holding the citizenship of an African country without dual citizenship outside Africa, meeting one of the approved educational pathways such as a degree from a listed institution, a recognised bridge or mentoring programme, or UNHCR refugee status, being under 35 on 1 September of the application year, not already holding or pursuing a Master’s degree, and applying for the programme for the first time. Applicants who are already enrolled at Sciences Po or who studied in French higher education are not eligible. Sciences Po also says there is no language requirement to apply to the programme itself. (sciencespo.fr)

Study level, fields, and destination

This opportunity is at postgraduate level and is centred on two-year Master’s programmes at Sciences Po in Paris. The programme focuses on the humanities and social sciences, including policy, international affairs, economics, law, and related disciplines available through Sciences Po’s graduate admissions. The destination country is France. (mastercardfdn.org)

Required documents and application process

Applicants should prepare the supporting documents required for both the application fee waiver and the Master’s admission process. Sciences Po says the relevant procedure is the international graduate admission route, not the domestic route, and that applicants should begin gathering documents early. The official information also says that the eligible universities or bridge programmes are listed in a reference document, which must be checked before applying. (sciencespo.fr)

Timeline and important conditions

The Sciences Po page states that application-fee-waiver details will appear from September 2026, with fee-waiver applications open from October to mid-December 2026. The scholarship is limited to two-year Master’s programmes and is not open to undergraduate study, one-year master’s programmes, or online master’s programmes. The official guidance also notes that the programme is open through the international graduate admissions procedure and that final checks on eligibility are carried out during the assessment period. (sciencespo.fr)

Official resources

Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program overview.

Graduate-level eligibility page.

FAQ page for programme rules.

International graduate admissions page.

Use /tools/scholarship-finder to compare this route with other African postgraduate opportunities.

Common preparation advice: if you are eligible, review the list of approved institutions or bridge programmes first, then match your intended Sciences Po Master’s to the programme’s development and career narrative, then prepare fee-waiver and admission materials together so you can submit as soon as the official window opens. That is preparation advice, while the formal eligibility and timing are set by Sciences Po. (sciencespo.fr)

How to judge whether this scholarship fits you

Begin by comparing every published condition with your own record, not with a friend's experience or an old social media post. For Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po, pay particular attention to the stated nationality or residence group of African countries, the Masters study level, and the approved study destination of France. Check whether the rules refer to citizenship, current residence, permanent residence, or the country where your previous degree was completed, because these are not always interchangeable. You should also confirm minimum grades, graduation dates, age limits, work experience, language tests, admission requirements, and any return-home condition. If one condition is unclear, use the official contact channel before investing time or money in documents.

Building a competitive application

Eligibility only determines whether an application can be considered. Selection is usually comparative, so a strong submission should show why your preparation, proposed study, and future plans fit the purpose of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po. Read the provider's objectives and identify the outcomes it values, such as academic excellence, leadership, public service, research impact, professional development, or contribution to a community. Then choose evidence from your education, employment, volunteering, projects, or personal responsibilities that demonstrates those qualities. Use specific examples with a clear situation, action, and result. Avoid copying generic statements about passion or financial need. Reviewers should be able to see what you have already done, what the proposed programme will help you learn, and how you intend to use that learning after graduation.

Writing the personal statement or study plan

A persuasive statement connects your past experience to a realistic next step. Explain why your chosen field, currently recorded as Humanities, social sciences, policy, international affairs, economics, law, matters to the problem you want to address. Show that you understand the course, institution, or research environment rather than praising it in general terms. If the scholarship asks several essay questions, answer each question directly and avoid repeating the same story. Keep claims factual and support them with evidence. A useful editing method is to ask whether every paragraph adds new information about your preparation, judgement, character, or proposed impact. Leave time for revision, and ask a trusted reader to check clarity without replacing your voice.

References and supporting evidence

Choose referees who know your recent academic or professional work and can discuss it with examples. A senior title is less valuable than direct knowledge of your abilities. Contact referees early, share the official criteria, explain your study plan, and give them the exact submission deadline. Confirm whether the referee must upload a letter, complete an online form, or send the reference from an institutional email address. Your curriculum vitae, essays, transcript, and references should tell a consistent story. Dates, job titles, grades, awards, and project descriptions must agree across documents. If a document is unavailable, translated, provisional, or issued under a different name, follow the provider's instructions instead of uploading an unexplained substitute.

Planning the funding and practical costs

The funding category recorded for this opportunity is Fully funded, but applicants should still create a complete budget. Check whether the award covers full tuition or a fixed contribution, and whether payments are made to the institution or to the scholar. Look for information about accommodation, living allowance, flights, visa charges, health insurance, research costs, dependants, and arrival expenses. Currency changes and local housing costs can affect the real value of an award. Do not assume that every cost described as eligible will be paid automatically. Where a programme offers partial support, identify a realistic source for the remaining amount before accepting an offer.

Application timeline and final checks

Work backwards from the recorded deadline of Rolling. Reserve the final days for technical problems rather than first drafts. A practical sequence is to confirm eligibility, shortlist courses, request transcripts, contact referees, draft essays, obtain language results, and complete the online form. Some scholarships require university admission before the funding application, while others use a combined process or require nomination by a university, ministry, employer, or national agency. Submit through the correct route for your country and programme. Before pressing submit, preview every page, open uploaded files, check that names and dates are accurate, and save a copy of the completed application and confirmation message.

After submission and possible interviews

Keep monitoring the email address and application portal you used. Scholarship providers may request corrections, additional evidence, an interview, or a response within a short period. Prepare for an interview by reviewing your application, the scholarship's mission, your proposed course, and the practical impact you described. Be ready to explain decisions, limitations, and alternative plans honestly. If you receive an offer, read all conditions before accepting, including academic performance requirements, reporting duties, travel dates, visa responsibilities, and obligations after study. If you are unsuccessful, retain your materials and seek specific feedback where available. A careful application can often be adapted for another suitable opportunity without being copied unchanged.

Related scholarships and planning resources

Use the Scholarship Finder to compare your profile with the current catalog. You can also explore programmes with the Course Finder , review your academic standing with the CGPA Calculator , and read current application advice in the NGScholars article library .

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