UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 [Fully Funded]

Applications are now open for the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027. The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to talented African students for pursuing eligible master’s degree programmes at the University of California, Berkeley.

The programme is a partnership between UC Berkeley and the Mastercard Foundation aimed at developing the next generation of African leaders committed to social and economic transformation. Under the current phase of the partnership, UC Berkeley will support more than 200 master’s degree students through 2030.

SUMMARY:

• Scholarship Sponsor: Mastercard Foundation
• Host Institution: University of California, Berkeley
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Study Level: Master’s Degree
• Number of Awards: Approximately 55 Scholars supported annually
• Eligible Applicants: Citizens of African Countries
• Host Country: United States

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See Also: Mastercard Foundation Scholarships (Step-by-Step Application Guide)

UC Berkeley Mastercard Scholarship | Program Overview

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley provides academically talented African students who have experienced barriers to higher education with access to master’s education, leadership development and professional opportunities.

Prospective Scholars for the UC Berkeley Mastercard Scholarship 2027 must first apply and gain admission to an eligible UC Berkeley master’s degree programme. Bachelor’s and doctoral programmes are not eligible, while concurrent and dual-degree programmes lasting more than two years are also excluded.

Eligible master’s programmes are available across fields including Engineering, Education, Public Health, Public Policy, Journalism, Law, Social Welfare, Information, Environmental Design, Natural Resources and other disciplines.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should:

• Be a citizen of an African country. Africans who are refugees or forcibly displaced within Africa may also be eligible.
• Apply for an eligible master’s degree programme at UC Berkeley.
• Demonstrate strong academic ability and meet the admission requirements of the selected programme.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to transformative change.
• Have experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education, which may include financial, social, personal, practical or health-related barriers.
• Demonstrate commitment to giving back to their community, country or the African continent.
• Intend to return to their home country after completing their studies and applicable post-graduation training.

Applicants with dual citizenship, asylum, refugee or permanent resident status in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom or European Union are not eligible.

Priority may be given to applicants who completed their undergraduate degree at an African university, do not already hold a postgraduate degree and have not previously benefited from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Also Check: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027 (Fully Funded)

Scholarship Benefits

Selected Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive comprehensive financial, academic and social support covering costs associated with completing their master’s degree, including:

• Full tuition fees.
• UC Berkeley student fees.
• Housing and food.
• Living expenses.
• Travel expenses.
• Visa and SEVIS fees.
• Leadership and entrepreneurship development programmes.
• Academic and social support.

Scholars in master’s programmes longer than two semesters are also expected to undertake an approved internship in Africa during their studies. The programme provides round-trip airfare and a living-cost stipend for the internship.

Application Procedures

How to Apply: Applicants do not initially apply directly to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. To be considered:

1. Choose an eligible master’s degree at UC Berkeley.
2. Apply for admission through the regular UC Berkeley graduate application.
3. Submit the application before the deadline for the selected graduate programme.
4. The graduate programme reviews applications and nominates eligible candidates for Mastercard Foundation Scholarship consideration.
5. Nominated candidates are invited to complete a supplemental Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
6. Selected candidates may subsequently be invited for an online interview.

Where a graduate programme has multiple admission rounds, applicants must generally apply in the first round before January to remain eligible for Mastercard Foundation consideration.

Application Documents

Documents required for the UC Berkeley graduate application generally include:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Statement of Purpose.
• Personal History Statement.
• Letters of recommendation.
• Proof of English-language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) where required.
• Programme-specific test scores or additional documents where applicable.

Applicants nominated for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will receive instructions for completing the additional scholarship application.

Applicants from African countries seeking a limited graduate application fee waiver should complete the basic demographic section and provide the names of at least two recommenders in their Berkeley graduate application by November 15 to receive an invitation to apply for the waiver.

Application Deadline

Varies according to the selected master’s programme.

Most eligible UC Berkeley graduate programme deadlines fall between December 2026 and early January 2027. Where a programme offers multiple application rounds, candidates should apply in the first round before January to be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Visit the Official Website for Further Details