Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026/27: Full Scholarships for African Students

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh is offering full scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year. This transformative program invests in talented young leaders from across Africa, empowering them with the skills and knowledge to drive sustainable development and tackle the climate crisis.

We are recruiting a community of skilled, entrepreneurial, and compassionate Scholars to join a range of sustainability-focused postgraduate programs in September 2026. Scholarships are available for both on-campus Masters degrees and online distance learning programmes.

Key Application Details for 2026/27 Intake

• Applications Open: 14th October, 10:00 am (UK Time)

• Application Deadline: 21st November, 5:00 pm (UK Time)

• Program Start: September 2026

• Study Modes: On-Campus and Online Learning

List of Eligible Postgraduate Courses (2026/27)

The scholarship covers a wide array of high-demand fields. Below is the complete list of eligible degrees.

On-Campus Masters Programmes

• Africa & International Development

• Climate Change Finance & Investment

• Data, Inequality & Society

• Entrepreneurship & Innovation

• Environment & Development

• Environmental Sustainability

• Food Security

• Operational Research

• Planetary Health

• Sustainable Energy Systems

Online Distance Learning Programmes

• Biodiversity, Wildlife & Ecosystem Health (Masters/Diploma)

• Climate Change Management (Masters)

• Data-Driven Breeding & Genetics (Masters/Diploma)

• Data Science Technologies (Masters)

• Digital Education (Masters/Diploma)

• Global Challenges (Masters/Diploma)

• Global Food Security & Nutrition (Masters/Diploma)

• Global Health & Infectious Diseases (Masters/Diploma)

• International Development (Masters)

• One Health (Masters/Diploma)

• Social Justice & Community Action (Masters/Diploma)

How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

Crucial First Step: Applicants must first apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. You should only apply for your degree programme at the University of Edinburgh after you have received a scholarship offer.

Official Application Portal: www.ed.ac.uk/global/mastercard-foundation

Contact the Scholarship Team: mcfsp@ed.ac.uk