Application Deadline: June 5, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. East African Time (EAT).
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026/2027 edition of the Makerere University MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program. This initiative is designed to enhance access to inclusive university education across Africa by supporting 1,000 talented young individuals from Sub-Saharan Africa. The program provides comprehensive scholarships to academically gifted young men and women who face social and economic hardships limiting their ability to pursue higher education. Through this support, the program fosters smooth transitions for these youths into respectable and rewarding career paths.
For the upcoming 2026/2027 academic year, Makerere University is excited to offer 13 fully-funded master’s degree scholarships under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. These scholarships are available to students enrolling at Makerere University’s Main Campus in Uganda.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s Main Campus, applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Refugees or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
- Youth living with disabilities
- International students
- Young people residing in refugee host communities
- Individuals from underrepresented ethnic groups within Uganda
- Other youth residing in Uganda
In addition to the above, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have applied for admission to the Makerere University Main Campus for the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Completed undergraduate studies in an African country.
- Experience financial challenges that restrict access to graduate education.
- Must not be a recipient of any other scholarship currently.
- Must not be enrolled in, or have previously completed, any Master’s degree program.
- Demonstrated active involvement in leadership roles and/or community service initiatives.
- Be aged 35 years or younger as of the application deadline, except for applicants who are refugees, IDPs, or young persons with disabilities, for whom the age limit is 40 years.
- Refugee applicants must possess valid Refugee Identity documentation or Family Attestation papers.
- Must have applied for degree programs that are prioritized within the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Those who meet these requirements are encouraged to apply for the scholarship and take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to study at one of Africa’s leading universities.
Learn More and Apply
For comprehensive details regarding the application process, eligibility, and the benefits of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, please Visit the Official Webpage of the Makerere University MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program.
