Mastercard Foundation/Arizona State University Scholarship Program for African Students 2024

Published: 25 Apr 2024 1,825 views

 In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University will provide a 9-month comprehensive academic and practical training in artificial intelligence (AI) and business for selected Mastercard Foundation Scholars. The Program seeks to cultivate leadership, entrepreneurship and AI technical skills, enabling students to become AI leaders equipped to tackle challenges in Africa and around the globe.

Five Scholarships are available for students admitted for the 2024/2025 academic year, which will cover the full tuition fees, expenses for accommodation, and comprehensive support. On top of financial support, Scholars will participate in activities as part of the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University, including leadership curriculum, individual mentorship, and other events and programming. Women, refugees and displaced persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. ASU is committed to enhancing the quality of students' educational experience by ensuring accessibility for all programs and services.

Mastercard Foundation/Arizona State University Masters Scholarship

Benefits of Mastercard Foundation/Arizona State University Masters Scholarship

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 Phoenix, Arizona
• Full tuition, books and fees
• On campus housing
• Participation in Scholarship programming

Mastercard Foundation/Arizona State University Masters Scholarship Courses

• Artificial Intelligence

Requirements for Mastercard Foundation/Arizona State University Masters Scholarship

• Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the degree of their choice that includes English proficiency.
• Applicants must be a citizen of an African country committed to ethical leadership and demonstrated engagement in their community.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 33 on or before the application deadline.
• Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service in their community.
• Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and ambitions that exceed one's financial resources.
• Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree with a required minimum 4 years of study, conferred by July 2024.  
• Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or masters degrees before August 2024.  
• Applicants must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the duration of the program.
• Applicants are recommended to have a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics and computer science.

Selection Process

All applicants are advised to apply for the scholarship first and, if successful, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to Arizona State University. Interviews via video or phone call will be held in summer 2024, with final decisions made by late May 2024. All successful applicants will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to join the Program in August 2024. 

All applicants, once registered, should have read and understood the application guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting an application to the Program to avoid any errors or incorrect information. Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation reserve the right to cancel incomplete and/or late applications, to effect changes to the conditions of the scholarship or to make no awards at all. Admission to the academic program does not guarantee admission to the scholarship program.

Application Deadline

How to Apply