Sciences Po 2025 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for Graduate Students

Since 2017, Sciences Po has been the sole institution in continental Europe partnered with the Mastercard Foundation, playing a vital role in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. This partnership provides students with a world-class education in the humanities and social  sciences, combining rigorous academic standards with essential skills for success in the global job market.

• Table of Content
• About MasterCard Foundation
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Aim and Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About MasterCard Foundation

The Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. All people, no matter where their starting point in life, should have an equal chance to succeed. We believe that with access to education, financial services, and skills training, people can have that chance. Our focus is helping economically disadvantaged young people in Africa to find opportunities to move themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty to a better life.... read more... continue reading

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Aim and Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

• Full tuition and living expenses covered
• Tailored support and resources for studies
• Reserved housing in Paris
• Career guidance and internship opportunities
• Mentoring program with alumni

Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Qualification

You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:

• Hold citizenship in a country within Sub-Saharan Africa. Candidates who hold a second citizenship from the European Economic Area are not eligible.
• Have completed or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree programme at one of Sciences Po’s institutions of reference (see the list of institutions).
• Or have completed or are currently enrolled in a training foundation or mentoring programme offered by a bridging programme organisation partnering with the Mastercard Foundation (see the list of institutions).
• Be in genuine need of funding for your higher education (please note: documents proving your financial situation will be required for your application).
• Show a commitment to achieving change in Africa, particularly in the areas of public policy and major political, environmental and societal transitions.
• Be under  35 when you begin your Master’s programme.
• Not already hold or be completing a Master’s degree. 
• Be applying for a two-year Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s seven Graduate Schools. Applicants for one-year Master’s, dual degrees or joint Master’s programmes are not eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars  Program.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is highly selective and the scholarship is awarded on the basis of the following criteria:

• Demonstrable adequation between the degree held, the choice of Master’s programme at Sciences Po, the personal and academic background and the future professional plans.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and perceptiveness in understanding and analysis of major contemporary political, economic and societal challenges facing Africa and the rest of the world.
• Ambition, originality and tenacity in pursuing entrepreneurial or social impact projects aimed at achieving socio-economic change in Africa.

Students are encouraged to express themselves authentically in their motivation letters and to draw on specific experiences to explain how joining the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will enable them to achieve change. Misuse of Artificial Intelligence to answer the questions will prove a disadvantage to the application. 

In line with the values of inclusion, diversity and equal opportunities, which underpin the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, special consideration will be given to applications from refugees, displaced persons and persons with disabilities.

Your overall application is evaluated via the international graduate admissions procedure (review each step of the procedure). At the end of this evaluation process, the Admissions Department will inform you of the outcome of your application. If you are applying for the scholarship and are accepted onto a programme, your application will proceed to the following steps.

Timeline:

• Application platform opens: September 2024
• Application deadline for Master’s programmes and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: 1st of December 2024
• Sciences Po admissions decisions released: mid-February 2025
• Scholarship allocation decisions released: from March 2025
• Master’s programmes begin: end of August 2025

Documents Required for Application

We strongly advise you to begin preparing and assembling the supporting documents you need for your application well in advance (before the application platform opens):

• All supporting documents required for international graduate admissions to Sciences Po.
• Valid photo ID.
• Proof of income (or lack thereof) demonstrating your financial circumstances: tax documents and/or income statements; scholarship certificates; or any other legal document attesting to your financial situation. You must submit at least one document with your application. Bank statements will not be accepted. If you are currently receiving a scholarship (from the Mastercard Foundation or another funding body), or have received one in the past, please also attach the scholarship certificate.
• Proof of current or past enrolment at one of Sciences Po’s institutions of reference

Application Deadline

How to Apply

To be selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must first be accepted onto a Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s seven Graduate Schools.

From September 2024, applications for Sciences Po Master’s programmes and for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will be handled through a single procedure and platform. You will need to apply for your chosen Master’s programme and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program via the international graduate admissions procedure.

Before you begin your application, please check you meet the eligibility criteria for Sciences Po's graduate programmes and the specific language requirements for each programme. Sciences Po offers English, French and bilingual programmes.

For more details, visit Science Po website