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Mastercard Foundation Scholars — UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley's Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, run with its Center for African Studies, is a ten-year partnership funding 201 master's students from African countries, with leadership and career support alongside the degree.

Funding
Full Scholarship
Status
Due ≈ in 67 days
Typical deadline
Tied to your Berkeley programme — many close early DecNext: ≈ Dec 1, 2026 · varies by course or country
Study levels
Master's
Fields
Any discipline may apply
Who pays
The university itself funds you — you apply for admission and the funding together.
Official page on mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu Last verified Sep 24, 2026. Cycles shift each year — confirm dates on the official page.

What the funding covers

  • Full support for a Berkeley master's degree, including tuition and living costs.
  • Leadership development, mentoring and career support through the programme.
  • A cohort and alumni network across Africa.

What you will still pay

CostWho pays
Tuition, Berkeley student fees, housing, food and living expensesThe scholarship
Travel, visa and SEVIS feesThe scholarship
Graduate application fee ($155 for international applicants)You — Berkeley's graduate fee waivers are not open to international applicants
TOEFL or IELTS test, if you need oneYou

Who can apply

  • Citizens of African countries applying to an eligible Berkeley master's programme.
  • The programme recruits widely across Africa and especially encourages women, applicants with disabilities and refugees.
  • Demonstrated financial need and commitment to giving back.

Documents you will need

  • Your application to an eligible Berkeley master's programme through the Graduate Division — in the programme's first admission round
  • An English test if your undergraduate degree was not taught in English: at least TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS Academic 7
  • The statements, transcripts and recommendation letters your department asks for
  • Evidence of what the scholarship selects for: leadership, the barriers you have overcome, and your plan to return home and give back

How to apply

  1. Choose an eligible Berkeley master's programme and check its departmental admission deadline.
  2. Apply to the programme through Berkeley's graduate application and indicate your interest in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
  3. Many departmental deadlines fall in early December for the following autumn.
  4. Follow the programme website for its own additional steps and information sessions.

Before you apply: things to know

  • Your deadline is your department's, not a single programme date.
  • Only some Berkeley master's programmes are eligible — check the list first.
  • Berkeley's graduate application fee may apply; check whether the programme offers a waiver.

Common questions

Is there a separate scholarship application?

No. You apply to an eligible master's programme, and admitted applicants can be nominated for the Scholars Program. If your programme has several admission rounds, apply in the first round — later rounds are not considered.

Do I have to return to Africa?

That is the aim. Scholars are expected to return home after graduating and after any optional practical training their visa allows; some go on to work in another African country in their field.

How long will Berkeley keep recruiting?

The programme says it will recruit Mastercard Foundation Scholars through the fall of 2028.

A working timeline

Counting back from the next typical deadline (≈ Dec 1, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.

Sep 8, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth — confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Sep 22, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Oct 6, 2026Write the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Oct 20, 2026Order transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Nov 3, 2026Second draft — get feedback from someone who reads critically
Nov 17, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Nov 24, 2026Submit — never on the last day
Dec 1, 2026Typical deadline

Related routes

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
🌍 62+ partners worldwide · Bachelor's · Master's · PhD · Full Scholarship
Rolling · open year-roundDetails →
Mastercard Foundation Scholars — ASU
🇺🇸 United States · Master's · Full Scholarship
Due in 2 daysDetails →
Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford)
🇺🇸 United States · Master's · PhD · Full Scholarship
Due in 11 daysDetails →
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
🇺🇸 United States · Master's · PhD · Full Scholarship
Closed · next ≈ Apr 30, 2027Details →

Sources

Page reviewed Sep 25, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.