Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Global Health Equity
July 28, 2025 2025-08-08 8:15Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Global Health Equity
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at
UGHE
The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) and the Mastercard Foundation have a partnership for 10 years under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. This partnership aims to provide 500 young African scholars with a fully funded opportunity to pursue Masters degree programs.
The Mastercard Foundation and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) partnership is set to provide 500 young African Scholars who are academically talented and committed to transformative change on the continent with a fully-funded opportunity to pursue Master’s degree programs in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) and Health Professions Education (MHPE). This impactful initiative aims to provide educational opportunities to young African scholars facing the highest social and economic barriers, including young women, refugees & displaced young people, and persons with disabilities. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UGHE offers these scholarships to support African students to access opportunities at UGHE and to thrive both during and after their time at the University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the UGHE offers a rigorous Masters program designed to equip Scholars with essential entrepreneurial and leadership skills. The program also connects Scholars to world-leading resources in their chosen fields. Key aspects of the scholarship include providing adequate support and preparation for students to embark on their studies, placing a strong emphasis on developing life skills beyond academics, and fostering a lifelong network of alumni. Each Scholar will receive comprehensive training that addresses pressing global health issues such as equitable healthcare access, governance, and entrepreneurship, among others.
Program Details
This full-cost scholarship is available to Masters students, covering tuition fees and living expenses. The scholarship also provides logistics support, including an economy return flight and fees, monthly allowance, and access to an Entrepreneurial Fund. There is a pre-arrival program, a comprehensive online orientation designed to prepare incoming scholars for their academic journey. The program provides essential information on academic expectations, cultural adaptation, and logistical arrangements, ensuring a smooth transition to university life. There is also an integration of the leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation skills development program, which supports the scholars in developing collaborative leadership and entrepreneurial qualities needed to build interdisciplinary solutions to address complex global health and social challenges.
After completing their Masters Program, Scholars will be supported in securing internship placements at leading organizations. These internships will provide them with opportunities to work on initiatives in Africa, where they will receive mentorship from esteemed academics and practitioners. This mentorship will empower Scholars to develop pathways to building impactful careers and implement sustainable solutions that enhance equitable health access and quality in Africa. As scholars return to their communities, they leverage their knowledge and networks to create innovative health programs, advocate for policy changes, and strengthen health systems.
The Scholars benefit from a customized leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation skills program as well as personalized academic and social support throughout their studies. Beyond their academic journey, they will become part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni and the UGHE Alumni Network, providing them with ongoing opportunities to connect and contribute to the community of African Scholars associated with the UGHE and beyond. In addition, the Scholars will receive peer support from the Scholar Community and mentorship and career guidance from the UGHE Innovation Center.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UGHE strongly recruits widely across Africa and encourages applications, particularly from young women, refugees and displaced young people, and persons with disabilities.
Eligibility
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UGHE provides African students with the opportunity to pursue graduate studies at the university. These scholarships cover school fees, including tuition, housing, and meals, and a monthly allowance for living expenses.
Young Africans, particularly:
- Young women
- Refugees and displaced young people
- Persons with disabilities
- Under or at 35 years of age at the time of admission and have completed an undergraduate degree.
- Being a citizen of an African country: This includes Africans, young women, persons with disabilities, and young people who have been forcibly displaced or have refugee status within the African continent. Those with dual citizenship, asylum seeker, refugee, or permanent resident status in a country outside of the African continent are not eligible.
- Having academic talent: All prospective Scholars must be admitted to a UGHE to pursue an MGHD or MHPE master’s program to be considered for the Scholarship. Important criteria for admission to the University is demonstrated academic excellence.
- Demonstrating 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.
- Experienced significant barriers to accessing higher education: This Scholarship is designed for those extremely talented individuals who might have faced barriers to quality higher education, including social, financial, personal, practical, or health related.
- UGHE seeks well-rounded students dedicated to the principle of equity. Demonstrated commitment to community service and health equity through active involvement beyond the classroom.
Send questions on eligibility to admissions@ughe.org and mfsp@ughe.org
How to Apply
Apply to be a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Global Health Equity
Both MGHD and MHPE programs have specific requirements and deadlines. Applicants should carefully review these. The following portals provide detailed information on the admission process.
Master of Science in Global Health Delivery
Health Professions Education Program – Next application opening in November 2025
