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Applications are now open for the Fully Funded University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholarships 2026 for STEM Undergraduate Talented Young Africans
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.
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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. To get an edge in your application, see our guide on how to win a fully-funded undergraduate scholarship. You can also get more insight by looking at the best top 10 reasons to study your masters abroad.
The program is recruiting scholars in selected undergraduate programs for the academic year 2025. Interested 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, Forestry and Food Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education, College of Arts and Social Sciences, and College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. The training takes place on 5 Campuses: NYARUGENGE, HUYE, RUKARA, BUSOGO, and NYAGATARE.
Programme Summary
- Application Deadline: September 26, 2025
- Host Country: Rwanda
- Category: Undergraduate Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All African countries, with a focus on citizens of Rwanda, refugees, and displaced youth.
- Reward: A fully-funded scholarship including tuition, stipend, accommodation, and other benefits.
Benefits of the Scholarship
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers comprehensive support to ensure scholars can focus on their studies and professional development. The benefits include:
- Financial Support: This is a fully-funded scholarship that covers all essential costs. It includes full tuition fees, fully paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, an annual return ticket allowance, and a full-year monthly stipend to cover personal expenses. This can complement your knowledge from our ultimate guide to student loans for international students.
- Academic and Professional Development: Scholars receive continued academic support through mentorship, virtual learning, and tutoring. They also get access to uniquely sourced internships with industry for professional development.
- Career Services: The program provides robust career development services, including industrial mentorship, career guidance, professional development, and enterprise development. You can also get more details on how to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Leadership Opportunities: Scholars have opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community services, and mentoring programs.
- Networking: The program offers the prestige of becoming part of the growing family of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and provides valuable networking opportunities with the Global Scholars Community.
- Psycho-social Support: The program provides psycho-social support services to help scholars with their personal well-being.
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Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of Rwanda to benefit from the national scholarship quota.
- Be a citizen of any African country, a refugee, or a displaced youth in Africa.
- Be academically qualified, with limited access to opportunities.
- Not be above 28 years old at the time of application, or not above 30 years old for those with certified proof of a protracted life condition (e.g., refugees, single mothers, those in a child-headed family).
- Meet the admission criteria for eligible programs at the University of Rwanda.
- Must have a University of Rwanda Reference number and have submitted an application for admission to a program on the earmarked list. See how to deal with a low GPA in personal statements and learn about the 10 top qualities of scholarship winners.
- Must demonstrate a strong commitment to leadership and provide proof of community engagement and/or transformation initiatives. You can get help on how to ask for a recommendation letter.
- Refugees and people with disabilities are required to provide legal proof of their status (from UNHCR, NCPD, or any other recognized organization).
Application Process
To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, interested and qualified candidates should follow these steps:
- Complete the general application form online using the provided link below.
- Read through all instructions and required information before starting the online form.
- The application can be filled out in more than one session, but it is recommended to start when you have all your supporting documents ready.
- Ensure all required documents are attached and properly named with your name and UR reference number. Documents should be saved in PDF format and be less than 250 kb in size.
- Refugee applicants are requested to complete the specific form available in the online portal.
- Click Submit at the end of the online application only when all fields and attachments have been fully completed. Once submitted, the application fields are closed and cannot be edited.
A great guide on how to write a winning scholarship essay might help you as well as a great guide on how to apply for scholarships successfully. You can also get more information by learning how to write a Chevening Scholarship essay.
Application Deadline: September 26th, 2025
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Download the detailed pdf Document Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the deadline for this scholarship application? The application deadline is September 26, 2025.
- What is the purpose of the program? The program aims to expand access to quality higher education for talented young Africans, particularly focusing on females in STEM, people with disabilities, and refugees.
- Which academic programs are eligible for the scholarship? The scholarship is available for selected undergraduate programs within the University of Rwanda’s 7 colleges.
- Do I need to be a Rwandan citizen to apply? The program is open to citizens of any African country, but there is a specific quota for Rwandan citizens.
- Is there an age limit for applicants? Yes, applicants must not be over 28 years old. For those with a certified protracted life condition, the age limit is 30.
- Do I need to apply to the University of Rwanda separately? Yes, you must have a University of Rwanda Reference number and have already submitted an application for admission to one of the eligible programs before you apply for the scholarship.
- What does the scholarship cover? The scholarship is fully funded and covers tuition, accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, a monthly stipend, and an annual return ticket allowance.
- What documents are required for the application? All required supporting documents must be attached. Refugees and those with disabilities must provide legal proof of their status.
- Can I save my application and finish it later? Yes, you can fill out the online application form in more than one session before final submission.
- What happens after I submit my application? Once you submit the application, all fields are closed, and you will not be able to make any changes.
