MasterCard Foundation Scholarships at Sciences PO in France

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Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarships program at Sciences Po are now open. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2024.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, in partnership with Sciences Po, aims to support talented students from Sub-Saharan Africa by offering them the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at one of Sciences Po’s seven schools. This program is designed to train leaders committed to the socio-economic development of their region.

Scholarship Benefits

Mastercard Foundation scholars benefit from continuous support throughout their studies:

• Tuition fees
• Monthly stipend
• Airfare
• Health coverage
• Academic and social support
• Access to internships and professional opportunities

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must be citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country.
• They must have obtained or be in the process of obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from an institution recognized by Sciences Po.
• Demonstrate financial need to continue their studies.
• Commit to playing an active role in Africa’s development, especially in public policy and socio-economic transitions.
• Be under 35 years old at the start of the academic year and must not already hold a Master’s degree.

Eligible Programs

Students can apply to any Master’s program offered by the seven schools of Sciences Po. However, one-year Master’s programs, dual degrees, and joint Master’s degrees are not eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.

Application Timeline for 2025-2027

• Application portal opens: October 1, 2024
• Deadline to submit applications: December 1, 2024
• Sciences Po admission results: Mid-February 2025
• Scholarship awards announced: Starting from March 2025
• Master’s program starts: Late August 2025

Application Procedure

To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, you must first apply for a Master’s program of your choice at Sciences Po. This is a single application process submitted via this platform: https://admission.sciencespo.fr/applicants/login. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2024.

Required Documents

Since the application process for the Mastercard Scholarship and the Master’s program is combined, it is important to prepare the following documents in advance:

• Identity document
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Official transcripts of all higher education studies
• Language test results (if applicable)
• Two academic recommendations
• Three recent payslips or recent retirement/unemployment certificates or proof of no income, or equivalent documents for both parents or legal guardian

Selection and Evaluation Criteria

• Coherence between academic background, Master’s program choice, and career goals
• Ability to analyze contemporary political and economic issues in Africa
• Demonstrated ambition through entrepreneurial or public service projects

Contact

Candidates can refer to the FAQ (PDF) or contact the scholarship office for more information at info.mcfsp@sciencespo.fr.

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