Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2025-2026 at the University of Rwanda (Intake 2)

Call for application: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2025-2026 at the University of Rwanda (Intake 2). The University of Rwanda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is implementing a 10-year Scholars Program (2021–2031) designed to expand access to quality higher education for 1,400 talented young Africans with limited access to opportunities. The initiative specifically focuses on females pursuing Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), young people with disabilities, refugees and displaced youth. The Program aims to strengthen the University of Rwanda’s institutional capacity and foster inclusive, supportive pathways toward dignified work.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda is committed to developing Africa’s next generation of transformative leaders and aims to drive and support transformation at three levels: individual (Scholars), institutional (the University), and system (higher education ecosystem and beyond).

The program is recruiting scholars for intake 2 of the 2025 academic year in selected undergraduate programs. This intake provides an opportunity for recent high school graduates to enroll at the University of Rwanda immediately without waiting a full year. It also offers a second chance for international applicants with the equivalence of 2025 who missed the first round of recruitment to apply for the scholarship.

Interested and admitted applicants will undertake their academic training at the University of Rwanda in the following 7 Colleges (College of Science and Technology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Agriculture, College of Business and Economics, College of Education, College of Arts and Social Sciences, and College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production) operating on 5 Campuses Nyarugenge, Huye, Rukara, Busogo and Nyagatare.

Eligible Applicants

This scholarship opportunity is open to African students of all races, colors, or descent, with limited access to opportunities. The applicants will have to be admitted into one of the above eligible programs at the University of Rwanda (Section 2 above – eligible programs). Selected applicants with other scholarships of any kind, must be willing to discontinue other scholarships. Anyone with a double scholarship will automatically be discontinued once found. Continuing students are not eligible.

Selection Criteria

• Be a citizen of Rwanda to benefit from the national scholarship quota.
• Be a citizen of any African country, a refugee, or displaced youth in Africa.
• Academically qualified, with limited access to opportunities.
• Not above 28 years at the time of application, and not above 30 years for those with certified proof of protracted life condition (refugees, single mothers, in child-headed family, etc).
• Meeting admission criteria to eligible programs at the University of Rwanda.
• Must have generated a UR Reference number and has submitted an application for admission to UR in one of the earmarked programs (refer to the list of Eligible Programs in section 2 above).
• Must demonstrate commitment to leadership and proof of community engagement (give back) and/or transformation initiatives.
• Refugees and those with disabilities are expected to provide legal proofs of their status (From UNHCR or NCPD respectively, or any other duly recognized organization).

Nature of Scholarship

This is a comprehensive scholarship that will be managed by the University of Rwanda. The
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda also offers an opportunity for the scholars to receive holistic training that empowers them and lead them to the academic success, community engagement and transition to employment opportunities which will equip the scholars to be global citizens. The scholarship will cover:

• Comprehensive financial support (full tuition fees, fully paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, annual return ticket allowance, and a full-year monthly stipend.
• Psycho-social Support Services.
• Uniquely sourced internships with industry for professional development.
  Continued academic support through academic mentorship, virtual learning, and tutoring.
• Career Development Services (including Industrial Mentorship, Career Guidance, Professional Development, and Enterprise Development, among others)
• Regular group meetings with other scholars that focus on personal and professional
  development opportunities and activities tailored to build societal relationships and scholars’ capacity.
• Opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community services and mentoring (Goback Give- Back),
• The prestige of becoming part of the growing family of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and networking with the Global Scholars Community.

Considering the level of investment, successfulapplicants will be required to be high achievers, highly engaging and focused scholars, able to give back and make changes in their respective communities and Africa in general.

Application Process

• A general application form must be filled online here
• Before completing the online application form, please read through all instructions, and
  required information.
• It is recommended that you start the application when you have all the supporting
  documents in place to ensure smooth and effective completion of the exercise.
• The application will be considered only after submission and all steps below are completed:
• The application form and processes are fully completed.
• All required documents are attached (Please make sure you name each document attached with your names and reference number during the initial application to UR, then ensure that the documents are saved in PDF format (with size less than 250 kb).
• Click Submit at the end of the online application, only when all the fields and attachments have been fully completed.
• All applicants are required to upload all supporting documents as required, prior to final
  submission (Note that once the application is submitted, all application fields are closed and cannot be repeated).

For more Information: Visit the website for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2025-2026 at the University of Rwanda (Intake 2)