Mastercard Foundation 2025 Innovation and Technology Scholarships at Arizona State University

Published: 12 Feb 2025

The third phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University (ASU) marks a significant step in empowering young African leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovative and sustainable development on the continent.

Building on the success of previous phases, this new chapter will engage 700 young adults between 2024-2030. The Program will support a range of pathways, including in-person and online degrees as well as English language learning delivered in partnership with African institutions, and certificates in fields such as supply chain management and global management. Through these programs, ASU aims to equip African youth with the critical technological, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Arizona State University, will provide 160 graduate scholarships from 2025–2030. Scholars will pursue ASU degrees online with in-person support and wrap-around services from Kepler College in Rwanda, blending flexible online learning with personalized guidance and community engagement. For fall 2025, the Mastercard Foundation at ASU is recruiting 40 Scholars for the following online graduate degree programs at ASU: 

Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarships

Application Deadline	March 9, 2025
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Country to study	Rwanda
School to study	Arizona State University
Type	Undergraduate
Sponsor	Mastercard Foundation
Gender	Men and Women

Benefits of Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarships

• The scholarship covers full tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, and comprehensive support for the two-year graduate program.
• Recipients will also benefit from individual mentorship, leadership development, and engaging events and programming.
• Additionally, Scholars will participate in a two-month summer intensive experience at ASU in the United States between the first and second year, aligned with their program of study.

The Scholarship will cover the following:

• Costs incurred for visa application processing
• Costs incurred for English language tests
• Costs incurred for program application 
• Airfare to and from Kigali, Rwanda
• Full tuition, books and fees
• Food and Living stipend
• Medical expenses
• Housing
• Participation in Scholarship programming

Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarships

• Must meet academic and English proficiency requirements;
• Must be an African citizen committed to ethical leadership and community engagement;
• Applicants must be between 18 and 33 years;
• Proven leadership, service, and academic excellence;
• Undergraduate degree earned by July 2025;
• No prior graduate degree started or completed before August 2025;
• Must reside in Kigali, Rwanda for the program duration.

Application Deadline

March 9, 2025

How to Apply