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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

  1. Admissions
  2. Fellowships
  3. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

 

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Starting Spring 2027

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at American University of Cairo (AUC) provides full scholarships and comprehensive support to talented young people from across Africa, enabling them to pursue higher education while developing their leadership potential and capacity to create positive impact. As part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Mastercard Foundation Scholars participate in leadership development activities, workshops, and fieldwork experiences that equip them to become agents of meaningful change in their communities, countries, and across the continent.


Eligibility

  • Currently residing in an African country and in possession of citizenship of at least one African country.
  • Be aged 35 or younger at the time of application.
  • New graduate degree-seeking students, satisfying AUC graduate admissions requirements. Transfers are not eligible for this fellowship.
  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
  • Showcase financial need.


Duration

Awarded for the total study period of the degree, based on full-time enrollment, subject to review every semester for satisfactory academic performance.


Award Coverage

  • Tuition fees for nine credits per semester
  • Stipend during the fall and spring semesters
  • One laptop is provided 
  • Student services and activities fees
  • Medical service and health insurance fees
  • Accommodation in University dorms/residence for those residing outside of Cairo
  • AUC bus subscription (or travel allowance)
  • May cover remedial English modules or intensive English courses 
  • Roundtrip airfare provided for fellows not residing in Egypt
  • Some candidates may be eligible for additional funding to cover research, publication fees and conference attendance 
  • Special software subscriptions or IT purchases for those with disabilities


Responsibilities of Fellows

  • Must maintain full-time status
  • Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2
  • Fellows are assigned 12 hours per week of related academic work
  • A teaching assistantship mandatory training must be completed per University requirements if the fellow is involved in teaching assistantship duties. For details and more information about teaching assistantships, click here.
  • Fellows must respond to any reporting requests received from AUC or the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program by the deadlines communicated.
  • Fellows must attend all supplemental workshops designed by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, including but not limited to, customized workshops related to leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurship


To Apply

Step 1: Check how to apply and submit the AUC online application. 
Step 2: Submit the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars online application.

Check the fellowship application cycle deadlines here.

Check instructions on how to submit the fellowship application here.

Important Note:

  • You may be required to submit additional paperwork to be considered for this fellowship.

For inquiries, send an email to mastercardfdn@aucegypt.edu.