Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 – Fully Funded Master’s at UC Berkeley

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley is a ten-year partnership between the Center for African Studies and the Mastercard Foundation to support 201 master’s degree students from African countries who are academically talented and committed to transformative change on the continent. The Program recruits widely across Africa and encourages applications particularly from women, people with disabilities, and those who are refugees or displaced.

UC Berkeley is one of the world’s leading academic institutions and ranked as a top premier public university. Founded in 1868, the campus is renowned for the distinction of its faculty and students, the scope of its research and publications, and the size and quality of its libraries and laboratories. National rankings consistently place Berkeley’s graduate programs among the very best in a variety of disciplines. Berkeley is also home to one of the most vibrant innovation ecosystems in the world and in 2024, Pitchbook ranked Berkeley #1 for generating startup founders, companies, and female entrepreneurs.

Annually, the Program supports approximately 55 master’s degree students with a new cohort of 29+ entering each year until 2028. Since 2012, the Program has graduated 201 Scholars from 30 African countries. Alumni include 71 with bachelor’s degrees and 130 with master’s degrees in over 40 degree programs.

Why UC Berkeley:

• World-leading academic institution
• Top premier public university
• Vibrant innovation ecosystem
• Comprehensive support for students with disabilities
• Network of 201+ Scholars from 30 African countries
• Ten-year partnership through 2028

Eligible Master’s Programs:

Haas School of Business:
Business Administration (MBA)

School of Education:
Education (MA)

College of Engineering:
Engineering (M.Eng), various concentrations
Civil and Environmental Engineering (MS)
Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (MS)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MS)
Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Development Engineering (M.DevEng)
Design (M.Des)
Translational Medicine (MTM)

College of Environmental Design:
Architecture (MArch) – only two-year program
City & Regional Planning (MCP)
Design (M.Des)
Environmental Planning (MLA EP)
Landscape Architecture (MLA 2D)

School of Information:
Information Management & Systems (MIMS)

Graduate School of Journalism:
Journalism (MJ)

School of Law:
Law (LLM) – Traditional Program

College of Letters and 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 and Wildlife Management (MS)

School of Public Health:
Community Health Sciences (MPH)
Health Policy and Management (MPH)
Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology (MPH)
Interdisciplinary Division (MPH)
Environmental Health Sciences (MPH, MS)
Epidemiology (MPH, MS)
Biostatistics (MPH, MA)

Goldman School of Public Policy:
Development Practice (MDP)
Public Policy (MPP)

School of Social Welfare:
Social Welfare (MSW)

Application Timeline:
September – Early January: Apply to UC Berkeley master’s program
November 15: Fee waiver application deadline
February: Supplemental application for nominated candidates
March: Online interviews for selected candidates
Late March/Early April: Final decisions communicated

Important Dates:
Application Deadline: Varies by program (September – Early January)
Fee Waiver Deadline: November 15, 2026
Final Decisions: Late March/Early April 2027