2025 Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholarship at Arizona State University (ASU)

The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), will provide graduate scholarships to train 120 young African professionals at the master’s level for various programs over 5 years (2025 – 2030). This is a fully immersive and traditional on-campus 2-year master’s program with an emphasis on technology and innovation. Recognizing the rapid evolution of the global digital economy, this program aims to equip African youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in areas such as technology and sustainable innovation.

30 Scholarships are available for students admitted for the 2026/2027 academic year, which will cover the full tuition fees, expenses for accommodation, and comprehensive support for the 2-year graduate program. On top of financial support, Scholars will participate in activities as part of the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU, including leadership curriculum, individual mentorship, and other events and programming. While classes are in session, Scholars have the opportunity to work part-time in on-campus positions, either with the Baobab Platform team or in the broader ASU community. Between the first and second year, Scholars will be supported to participate in a 2-month internship that aligns with their program of study.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineSeptember 14, 2025
• Study LevelUndergraduate
• SponsorMasterCard Foundation
• Course to studyUser Experience , Data Science Analytics & Engineering , Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering , Clean Energy Systems , Global Technology and Development , Human Systems Engineering - Intelligent Systems , Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use , Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Benefits

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
• Medical expenses
• On campus housing
• Participation in Scholarship programming

Requirements

• 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 conferred by August 2026.  
• Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or masters degrees before August 2026.  
• Applicants must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the duration of the program.

Application Documents

• CV/Resume,
• Letter of Recommendation,
• Transcripts

Application Deadline

How To Apply

The deadline for all applications will be 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 14 September.  No applications will be accepted past this deadline. All applicants must first apply for the scholarship.  Those who are selected to advance beyond the initial review, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to Arizona State University. Do not apply to admission to ASU. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email to schedule an interview via video or phone call.  Final scholarship decisions will be made by late February 2026. Successful applicants will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to join the Program in August 2026. 

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.

For more details, visit Mastercard Foundation Scholarship webpage