Sciences Po in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, supports African students with an outstanding academic record and strong leadership potential, who face financial barriers, to give them access to a world-class social sciences education. Graduates of the Program are driven by a desire to make a real and lasting impact on the foremost issues facing the African continent.
Founded in 1872, Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Paris Institute of Political Studies) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Paris (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), Ile-de-France. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Nancy, Poitiers, Menton, Dijon, Havre. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation, France (Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, France), Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 9,000-9,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 147 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 0-10% making this French higher education organization a most selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:
Hold citizenship in a country within Africa. Candidates who hold a second citizenship from a country outside the African continent are not eligible.
Have completed or be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree programme at one of Sciences Po’s institutions of reference ( see the list of institutions).
Or Have completed or are currently enrolled in a training foundation or mentoring programme offered by a bridging programme organisation partnering with the Mastercard Foundation ( see the list of institutions).
Be in genuine need of funding for your higher education (please note: documents proving your financial situation will be required for your application).
Show a commitment to achieving change in Africa, particularly in the areas of public policy and major political, environmental and societal transitions.
Be under 35 when you begin your Master’s programme.
Not already hold a Master’s degree.
Be applying for a two-year Master’s programme at one of Sciences Po’s Graduate Schools. Applicants for one-year Master’s, dual degrees or joint Master’s programmes and the Master’s programmes of the School of Journalism are not eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Are you looking for Scholarships in 2022-2023?
We are happy to help you find best matches! Plus more!
To be selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must first be accepted onto a Master’s programme at one of Science s Po’s Graduate Schools.
You will need to apply for your chosen Master’s programme and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program via the international graduate admissions procedure
Have a question about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po?
Read our FAQ page (PDF).
If you can’t find an answer on our FAQ page, reach out to us directly at the following address: .
We are building a new Scholarship AssistantThis assistant will simplify your search and monitoring of the scholarships relevant to your study and needs.
Founded in 1872, Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Paris Institute of Political Studies) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Paris (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants), Ile-de-France. This institution has also branch campuses in the following location(s): Nancy, Poitiers, Menton, Dijon, Havre. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation, France (Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, France), Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 9,000-9,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 147 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 0-10% making this French higher education organization a most selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.