Mastercard Scholarship 2026 in Canada | Fully Funded

Overview

The Mastercard Scholarship is designed to support prospective graduate scholars with complete financial backing and wrap-around services to foster transformative leadership and community engagement. Hosted by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC), this opportunity aims to empower young individuals through academic access, experiential learning, and career development initiatives.

Benefits

Full tuition fees and book allowances
Airfare and immigration support
Room, board, and living stipends
Health insurance coverage
Career services, networking, and access to a global alumni community
Social Entrepreneurship Fund for venture initiatives back in Africa

Eligibility

Citizenship: Must be a citizen or recognized refugee of an African country and currently residing there.
Age: Must be 35 years old or younger.
Academic Background: Must have completed a Bachelor’s degree meeting UBC graduate program standards and hold no prior Master’s or PhD degrees.
Financial Status: Must demonstrate a proven economically disadvantaged background.
Leadership: Must exhibit a clear history of community involvement and a commitment to returning to Africa.
Eligible Fields: Must apply to selected professional Master’s programs at UBC, such as Forestry, Land & Food Systems, or Data Science.

How to Apply

The application process is structured in multi-stage rounds managed by the program and university:

Step 1: Complete and submit the online Expression of Interest (EOI) form on the UBC portal.
Step 2: If invited, submit the Round 1 scholarship application featuring essays, a CV, transcripts, and two reference letters by mid-October.
Step 3: Shortlisted candidates submit an official application directly to their chosen UBC Master’s faculty program in November.
Step 4: Selected applicants attend a virtual panel interview between December and January, with final offers issued by early spring.

Deadline

The application deadline is September 30, 2026.

Overview

Eligibility

Citizenship: Must be a citizen or recognized refugee of an African country and currently residing there.

Age: Must be 35 years old or younger.

Academic Background: Must have completed a Bachelor’s degree meeting UBC graduate program standards and hold no prior Master’s or PhD degrees.

Financial Status: Must demonstrate a proven economically disadvantaged background.

Leadership: Must exhibit a clear history of community involvement and a commitment to returning to Africa.

Eligible Fields: Must apply to selected professional Master’s programs at UBC, such as Forestry, Land & Food Systems, or Data Science.

How to Apply

The application process is structured in multi-stage rounds managed by the program and university:

Step 1: Complete and submit the online Expression of Interest (EOI) form on the UBC portal.

Step 2: If invited, submit the Round 1 scholarship application featuring essays, a CV, transcripts, and two reference letters by mid-October.

Step 3: Shortlisted candidates submit an official application directly to their chosen UBC Master’s faculty program in November.

Step 4: Selected applicants attend a virtual panel interview between December and January, with final offers issued by early spring.