Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program 2023 for Africans

We are seeking applications from well-qualified candidates hailing from Sub-Saharan African nations for the Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program 2023/2024. This program is designed to support the postgraduate education of African students at the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States.

The Center for African Studies has entered into a decade-long collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation to aid 108 master’s degree students from Sub-Saharan African nations. These students are not only academically gifted but also profoundly dedicated to driving positive and transformative change across the African continent. The Postgraduate scholarship is fully funded for the entire duration of studies.

The University of California, often abbreviated as UC, is a renowned public research university system in the United States. This system consists of multiple campuses throughout the state of California, each offering a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities.

Scholarship Summary:

Scholarship Sponsor(s): Center for African Studies and Mastercard Foundation

Host Institution(s): University of California, Berkeley

Scholarship Worth: Fully Funded

Number of Awards: Several

Study Level: Postgraduate

Nationality: African Students

Eligibility for the Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program 2023 for Africans:

Applicants must be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country: This includes Africans who are refugees or displaced within the African continent. This scholarship is not intended for citizens of North African countries. Those with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee, or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK, or EU are not eligible.
Applicants must have academic talent: All prospective Scholars must first be admitted to a UC Berkeley master’s degree program to be considered for the Scholarship. An important criteria for admission to the University is demonstrated academic excellence.
Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential: The Program seeks those committed to developing the skills and mindsets associated with transformative leadership, i.e., that which engages others in an ethical manner to generate positive and lasting change.
Coming from a socio-economically disadvantaged background: This Scholarship is designed for those extremely talented individuals who might not otherwise have access to quality further education.
Applicants must have demonstrated the commitment to give back to their community, country, or continent: Well-rounded students who are engaged in activities beyond the classroom. Some may be directly related to your field of study, but this may also include other issues (social, economic, political) that you are working on and passionate about.
Applicants should elaborate on their achievements both in their application to UC Berkeley and later in the Scholarship application.
Applicants must have expressed the desire and intention to return to their home country after completing their studies: Students who are engaged with and passionate about issues affecting 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 return.

Method of Application for the Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program 2023 for Africans:

Prospective candidates for Berkeley’s Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program 2024 must initially seek admission to a graduate program. Only after applying and securing admission to an eligible program at Berkeley can they subsequently submit an application for the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation program.

Application Deadline: Ongoing.

For more information about this opportunity, Visit the Official Website.

Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program 2023 for Africans