Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The program provides holistic support that extends beyond tuition. It includes financial, psychosocial, and academic resources to ensure scholars can focus on their studies, transition into dignified work, and contribute to their communities. The program specifically emphasizes recruiting young women, persons with disabilities, and forcibly displaced young people.

The initiative is implemented through a network of partner institutions located primarily in Africa, with additional partners in North and Central America, Europe, and the Middle East. Each partner institution manages its own application process, admission criteria, and decision-making, meaning there is no single central application portal.

The program has committed over 58,000 scholarships to date, with a goal to reach 100,000 young people by 2030. It is part of the Foundation's broader strategy to enable young people to access relevant education and transition into fulfilling work.

Scholars become part of a robust community that includes alumni networks, the Baobab Summit, and social venture challenges. This community-based approach encourages scholars to engage in collective action and social entrepreneurship to address challenges in their home countries.