2026 MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkeley (University of California Berkeley, USA) | Fully Funded
2026 MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkeley (University of California Berkeley, USA) | Fully Funded
The MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkeley seeks to develop a cohort of ethical, entrepreneurial and energetic young leaders who will drive and lead socio-economic transformation in Africa.
The University of California, Berkeley has joined with The Mastercard Foundation in a collaborative, global network of education institutions and non-profit organizations that believe that education is a catalyst for social and economic advancement.
In this post Scholarship Region will give an in-depth idea about the scholarship, requirements, benefits and method of applying for the same.
MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkeley Scholarship Details:
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a growing commitment, and, to date, the Program has committed over USD $1.2 billion to supporting the education and leadership development of more than 40,000 young people.
Based in the Center for African Studies at UC Berkeley, the MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkely has supported more than 120 students from 2012 to 2020 (both undergraduate and masters degree students). Students wanting doctoral degrees are not eligible for this Program.
Going forward through 2030, the Program at UC Berkeley will support more than 108 master’s degree students.
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2026 MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkeley (University of California Berkeley, USA) | Fully Funded
2026 MasterCard Scholarship at University of California Berkeley Requirements:
In order to be considered for the MasterCard Scholarship at University of California Berkeley 2026, you must meet the following requirements:
- Being a citizen of Sub-Saharan Africa: This includes Africans that are refugees or displaced within the African continent. This scholarship is not for citizens of north African countries. Those holding dual citizenship, asylee, refugee or permanent residence (in the US, Canada, UK or EU) are not eligible.
- Having academic talent: All prospective Scholars must first be accepted into a UC Berkeley master’s degree program in order to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criteria for admission to the University is the demonstration of academic excellence.
- Demonstrating leadership potential: The Program is looking for those who are committed to developing the skills and mindsets that are associated with transformative leadership, that is, leadership that engages others in an ethical way to create positive and lasting change.
- Coming from a socio-economically disadvantaged background: This Scholarship is aimed at those individuals who are extremely talented but would otherwise not have access to a quality further education.
- Having demonstrated the commitment to provide back to your community, Country or Continent: We are seeking well-rounded Students who are engaged in activities with beyond the classroom. Some may be straight up related to your field of study, but this may also include other issues (social economic, political) you are working on and that you are passionate about. Applicants should describe their accomplishments both in their application to the UC Berkeley, and then later in the Scholarship application.
Having expressed the desire and intention to return to your home country upon completing your studies UC Berkeley, ‘We are looking for students who are engaged with and passionate about the issues facing their communities, and who will take advantage of their education at UC Berkeley to better equip themselves with the knowledge and training to address these issues upon their return.’ While important work can be done from abroad, the intention of the Program is to enable Scholars to return home, after making valuable professional connections through internships, academic training and job placements.
MasterCard Scholarship at UC Berkeley Duration, Reward
- The Scholarship is 100 percent funded
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars are awarded an integral, comprehensive scholarship equal to the costs incurred to complete a master’s degree, including travel, tuition, Berkeley student fees, visa and SEVIS fees, housing, food, living costs and cohort signature programs which will focus on leadership and entrepreneurship.
- MBA students are required to receive further funding from Haas Business School by obtaining Haas scholarships, and to do this they must be within the Round One or Two application deadline.
How To Apply for MasterCard Scholarship For University of California Berkeley 2026 (Step by Step)
To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, master’s degree seekers would first need to apply to the university through the regular admissions process.
- After students apply for admission to a degree program, the Program will invite students to apply for the Scholarship, if they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Master’s degree applicants will first have to apply to a graduate program before they will be considered for the Mastercard Foundations Scholars Program. All degree programs are not eligible. This is a list of Master’s Degree programs.
- Each individual graduate degree program that allows a student to take the GRE may have specific requirements and applicants should carefully review these. If a graduate program has multilple rounds of admission with staggered deadlines, then only those who apply in the first round can be considered forayer the Scholars Program.
- The Graduate Division also has detailed information about the admissions process for international students.
- Direct questions about admission requirements should be made of the specific graduate program.
- We lay out more details of the Scholars Program application process for master’s program here. We will be accepting applications through the fall of 2028.
- While the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley is not open to undergraduates, students at this level who wish to apply to the University of California, Berkeley.