Posted: November 2025 | Category: Scholarships | By Kelvin Kibet Media

Are you a passionate African student eager to make a difference through leadership, innovation, and community impact? 🌍 The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is offering fully funded master’s scholarships for the 2026 academic year.

This prestigious program aims to empower the next generation of African leaders by providing access to world-class education, mentorship, and global exposure at one of the world’s top universities.

🎓 About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides full financial support to talented students from Africa pursuing Master’s degree programs at UC Berkeley.
It focuses on individuals committed to giving back to their communities and contributing to Africa’s transformation through sustainable leadership, innovation, and research.

🗓️ Application and Selection Timeline

September – Early January:
Apply to UC Berkeley’s graduate program through the university’s regular admissions process.
(Note: Only first-round applicants — those who apply before January — are eligible for the Scholars Program.)
November 15:
Applicants from African countries who have completed demographic details and listed at least two recommenders in their UC Berkeley graduate application will receive an invitation to apply for an admission application fee waiver.
February:
The Scholars Program will invite nominated candidates to submit a supplemental application.
March:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview.
Late March / Early April:
Final admission and scholarship decisions will be communicated.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be citizens of an African country.
Must be admitted to a UC Berkeley Master’s program that qualifies under the Scholars Program.
Demonstrate leadership potential, academic excellence, and a strong commitment to giving back to their home communities.
The program supports Master’s degrees only (Bachelor’s and PhD programs are not eligible).
The Master’s program must be two years or less — dual or concurrent degrees are not eligible.

📚 Eligible Master’s Programs

UC Berkeley offers a wide range of programs eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, including:

Haas School of Business

MBA (requires additional Haas scholarships)

College of Engineering

Civil & Environmental Engineering (MS)
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (MS)
Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Industrial Engineering & Operations Research (MS)
Development Engineering (M.DevEng)
Design (M.Des)
Translational Medicine (MTM)

School of Education

Education (MA)

College of Environmental Design

Architecture (MArch – 2-year program)
City & Regional Planning (MCP)
Landscape Architecture (MLA)
Environmental Planning (MLA EP)
Design (M.Des)

School of Information

Information Management & Systems (MIMS)

Graduate School of Journalism

Journalism (MJ)

School of Law

Law (LLM – Traditional Program)

College of Letters & Science

Art (MFA)
Computational Social Science (MaCSS)
Folklore (MA)
Global Studies (MA)

College of Natural Resources

Energy & Resources (ERG)
Climate Solutions (MCS)
Forestry (MF)
Rangeland & Wildlife Management (MS)

School of Public Health

Community Health Sciences (MPH)
Environmental Health Sciences (MPH, MS)
Health Policy & Management (MPH)
Epidemiology (MPH, MS)
Biostatistics (MPH, MA)
Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology (MPH)

Goldman School of Public Policy

Development Practice (MDP)
Public Policy (MPP)

School of Social Welfare

Social Welfare (MSW)

💡 Application Tips

Apply early to meet Round 1 deadlines.
Watch the 2023 informational webinar and Mastercard Foundation Application Tip Series for guidance.
Attend the UC Berkeley Graduate Diversity Admissions Fair (annually announced in August).
Clearly demonstrate how your career goals align with the program’s vision of transforming Africa through education and leadership.

🌐 How to Apply

Apply to UC Berkeley Graduate Program:
Visit the official UC Berkeley Graduate Application Portal.
Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:
After your UC Berkeley application is submitted, eligible applicants will be invited to complete the Scholars Program supplemental application.

🔗 Official Website & Application Link:
👉 https://mcfscholarsprogram.berkeley.edu/graduate-application-process

✨ Why Apply?

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley is more than a scholarship — it’s a transformational opportunity to gain world-class education, leadership training, and a powerful network of changemakers driving Africa’s future. 🌍