Fully Funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University 2026/2027
Organization: Mastercard Foundation / Makerere University
Host country: Uganda
Degree level: Undergraduate, Masters
Funding: Fully Funded
Deadline: June 5, 2026
Eligible countries: All Sub-Saharan African countries
Fields of study: Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Business, Management, Law
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University aims to deepen inclusive university education and support 1,000 young people from Africa to access quality education. Implemented in partnership with Makerere University, this ten-year initiative offers comprehensive scholarships to academically talented young men and women from Sub-Saharan Africa whose access to higher education is constrained by severe social and economic barriers. The program supports scholars through Undergraduate and Master's degree levels, equipping them with mentorship, leadership skills, and resources to transition into dignified work and become transformative leaders in their communities.
Benefits
100% full coverage of university tuition and functional fees
Free student accommodation with bedding and meals
Provision of a laptop, books, and other essential learning materials
Comprehensive medical insurance
Monthly stipend to cover personal daily expenses
Round-trip transport to and from home
Mentorship, career counseling, and leadership development support
Eligibility
Must be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country, including Ugandan nationals, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and youth with disabilities
Must have actively applied for admission to Makerere University's main campus under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 academic year
Undergraduate applicants must be 28 years old or younger at the time of the application deadline
Master's applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of the application deadline
Must be experiencing significant financial hardships that demonstrably limit the ability to afford graduate or undergraduate education
Must have demonstrated leadership potential and/or a solid record of community service
Must not be a holder of any other scholarship, including government sponsorships
Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must have completed their advanced secondary level education (or equivalent) in an African country, hold a second class/credit diploma, or passed the mature age entry examinations
Master's applicants must have completed their undergraduate education in an African country and must not be currently pursuing or have already completed any other Master's degree
Submission of a completed online scholarship application form through the official Mastercard Foundation portal at Makerere University
Required Documents
Comprehensive application form filled via the online portal
Proof of admission application to Makerere University for the 2026/2027 academic year
Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (O-Level, A-Level, Diploma, or Bachelor's Degree depending on the level of entry)
Proof of nationality or refugee/IDP status (e.g., National ID, Passport, Refugee identification)
Documents verifying financial hardship and socio-economic background
Programs of Study
Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovation
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Land Use And Management
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture
Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Bachelor of Geographical Sciences
Bachelor of Science In Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science In Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Science In Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science In Land Surveying and Geomatics
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Science In Land Economics
Bachelor of Science In Construction Management
Bachelor of Science In Quantity Surveying
Bachelor of Science In Telecommunications Engineering
Bachelor of Science In Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Industrial And Fine Arts
Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture
Bachelor of Science in Physical Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Economics
Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration
Bachelor of Journalism and Communication
Bachelor of Development Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Film
Bachelor of Community Psychology
Bachelor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Adult and Community Education
Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy
Bachelor of Youth Development Work
Bachelor of Arts In Development Economics
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Statistics
Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics
Bachelor of Science in Population Studies
Bachelor of Science in Business Statistics
Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science
Prioritized Master's Degree Programmes
Application Process
First, apply for admission to a prioritized degree program at Makerere University's main campus under the private sponsorship scheme
Access the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form online at no cost through the official portal at apply.mastercardfoundation.mak.ac.ug
Carefully fill out all required personal, academic, and financial background information
Upload the necessary academic and identification documents
Submit the application strictly before the specified deadline of 5th June 2026 at 11:59 PM EAT
How to Apply
Make sure to explicitly select programs that are 'prioritized' by the Mastercard Foundation at Makerere, as applying for non-prioritized courses will lead to disqualification
You are strongly encouraged to use a computer rather than a mobile phone when filling out the online application portal
Do not pay any application fees to third parties for this scholarship; the Mastercard Foundation application is entirely free of charge
Selection Process
Administrative screening to verify age, nationality, admission status, and financial need
Review of academic excellence, leadership potential, and community service record
Final interviews or assessments conducted by the Makerere University Mastercard Foundation selection committee