Why it fits you

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Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Country of study
France · Paris
Accepted nationalities
All African countries
Degree already heldRequired
Bachelor’s
Target level
Master’s
Fields of study
All fields
Age limit
34 years old at most
Other conditions
  • Not hold dual citizenship that includes citizenship of a country outside the African continent.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Applicants holding dual citizenship that includes citizenship of a country outside the African continent are not eligible.
  • Be completing or hold a bachelor's degree from a university on Sciences Po's list; or be completing or hold a bachelor's degree and have taken part in a recognised bridge or mentoring programme; or be completing or hold a bachelor's degree and hold (or have held) UNHCR refugee status.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Be currently completing, or already hold, a Bachelor's degree from one of the universities on this list of institutions.
  • Be under 35 years of age on 1 September of the year in which you submit the scholarship application.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Be under 35 years of age on 1 September of the year in which the scholarship application is submitted.
  • Not already hold, or be pursuing, a master's degree.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Not already hold, or currently pursuing, a Master's degree.
  • Apply to the programme for the first time.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Be applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the first time.
  • Not be enrolled at Sciences Po, nor enrolled in or a graduate of a French higher-education institution.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Students currently enrolled in, or graduated from, a French higher education institution.
  • Meet Sciences Po's minimum academic requirements (table of minimum results by country of your home university) and be admitted to a two-year master's programme (dual degrees and one-year master's programmes are not eligible).RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Apply to and be admitted to a two-year Master's programme at Sciences Po (dual degree programmes and one-year Master's programmes are not eligible).

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Paid
Tuition
What is left for you to pay
  • If you are admitted to Sciences Po but not selected for the scholarship, you must find other funding yourself.

Dates

Applications close
23 November 2026If you wish to receive your master's admission decision by 11 February 2027
Other deadlines
  • 14 December 2026If you wish to receive your master's admission decision by 1 April 2027
Results announced
April 2027 (scholarship results)

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

  1. Step 1: At the same time: request the eligibility check on the scholarship's dedicated platform, and create a master's application on the Sciences Po admissions platform (otherwise no application fee waiver).
    With whom
    Sciences Po (scholarship platform and admissions platform)
    By when
    14 December 2026 — 14 December 2026 (or 23 November 2026 for an admission decision by 11 February 2027)
    Documents to provide
    • Proof of identity (passport, national identity card, UNHCR card or travel document)
    • Bachelor's degree certificate or proof of current studies at a listed university (or proof of the bridge programme, or of refugee status)
  2. Step 2: If you are eligible: follow the Admissions Office e-mail to complete and submit the master's application without paying the fee, within the very short deadline given in that e-mail.
    With whom
    Sciences Po Admissions Office
    By when
    Date given in the Admissions Office e-mail
    Documents to provide
    • Transcripts, language test results and academic recommendations sent from a professional e-mail address
  3. Step 3: If you are admitted and shortlisted: take an online interview of about 25 minutes (Zoom).
    With whom
    The Program Selection Committee
  4. Step 4: Receive the decision and accept the offer. Deferring your admission by one year means losing the scholarship.
    With whom
    The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team at Sciences Po
    By when
    April 2027

Where to apply

Sciences Po – Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (opens in a new tab) · Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po · Sciences Po

Official title (in English): Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po – Graduate Study

Edition 2027 · Verified on 30 October 2026

Apply on the official website (opens in a new tab)

Official website of Sciences Po – Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: sciencespo.fr

Prepare your departure

Visa, insurance, housing, budget and first steps on arrival: everything is explained in the country guide.