About this opportunity
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa supports highly talented, service oriented young people who face the highest social and economic barriers to opportunity, at the Carnegie Mellon University Africa campus in Kigali Innovation City. Scholars complete a Master of Science in Information Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Engineering AI Systems.
The scholarship covers application preparation support, orientation, tuition and fees, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses, project and entrepreneurship support, on top of full tuition coverage, with career preparation and support from selection through to employment or further education. The class profile is pan African.
The programme page records that CMU-Africa reached its early goal of 125 students representing 22 nationalities, and the Class of 2026 includes 57 Mastercard Foundation Scholars. To be considered for the scholarship, students must first be admitted to one of CMU-Africa's degree programmes.
Applications for the intake opened on 1 October 2026, with an early
Application timeline
of 15 December 2026 and a final
Application timeline
of 15 January 2027.
What you receive
- Full tuition coverage for a Master of Science at CMU-Africa in Kigali
- The scholarship covers application preparation support, orientation, tuition and fees, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses, project, and entrepreneurship support
- Career preparation and support from selection through to employment or further education
- Degree options in Information Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Engineering AI Systems
- A pan African scholar community, with 125 students from 22 nationalities and 57 Mastercard Foundation Scholars in the Class of 2026
Who can apply
- Highly talented, service oriented young people who face the highest social and economic barriers to opportunity
- Applicants must first be admitted to one of CMU-Africa's degree programmes to be considered for the scholarship
- The programme is delivered at the Kigali Innovation City campus in Rwanda and its scholar cohort draws from across the continent
How to apply
- Apply for admission to one of the CMU-Africa master's degree programmes
- Read the scholarship page at https://www.africa.engineering.cmu.edu/impact/mastercard-foundation-scholars.html
- Submit for the early deadline of 15 December 2026, or the final deadline of 15 January 2027
Selection process
- Scholarship consideration follows admission to a CMU-Africa degree programme
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
What does the scholarship cover?
Full tuition plus application preparation support, orientation, tuition and fees, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses, project and entrepreneurship support.
Can I apply for the scholarship on its own?
No. Students must first be admitted to one of CMU-Africa's degree programmes before they can be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
