Mastercard Foundation Opened Scholarship Applications
The program has invited Kenyan students to apply for fully funded spots at 15 global partner universities.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Scholarships
Live Poll
Should academic scholarship programs prioritize funding for refugees and displaced youth?
The Mastercard Foundation has officially opened applications for students in Kenya seeking fully funded undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The initiative targets academically capable youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Why it matters
By providing comprehensive financial support including tuition, travel, and stipends, the program aims to remove barriers for refugees, displaced youth, and young women. It ensures that talented students can access elite global education regardless of their financial status.
The program covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, and travel expenses for students at 15 partner universities across six countries. There are no application fees for the program, and standard fees are reimbursed to those selected.
The players
Mastercard Foundation
This is a private foundation that focuses on financial inclusion and education programs to alleviate poverty.
University of Cambridge
This is a world-renowned collegiate research university located in England that serves as a partner in the scholars program.
UC Berkeley
This is a major public research university in California that provides academic opportunities for program scholars.
Arizona State University
This is a public research university that participates as a partner institution to support international students.
Sciences Po
This is a leading French university that specializes in the social sciences and maintains a partnership with the foundation.
The details
Applicants are required to apply directly through their chosen partner institution, which manages its own admissions criteria and deadlines. The foundation also issued a formal warning against fraudulent recruitment posts that falsely demand fees from prospective applicants.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: The Mastercard Foundation opened the application window for Kenyan students.
Culture Shift
The program reflects a broader trend of private philanthropic entities bypassing traditional aid channels to invest directly in international education. This follows the operational model of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in prioritizing long-term human capital development.
Prospective applicants must be vigilant and only use official university channels to submit their documents. Because partner institutions manage individual admissions processes, students should prioritize checking the specific requirements for each university early to avoid missing deadlines.
The takeaway
Students should confirm all application instructions on official university websites to avoid falling victim to recruitment fraud. Always verify that a scholarship provider does not charge upfront application fees before providing personal data.
Further reading
For more information on educational funding, see our guide to Scholarships.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news..
Live Poll
Should academic scholarship programs prioritize funding for refugees and displaced youth?
