Phase III: Innovation and Technology

The third phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University (ASU) marks a significant step in empowering young African leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovative and sustainable development on the continent.

Building on the success of previous phases, this new chapter will engage 700 young adults between 2024-2030. The Program will support a range of pathways, including in-person and online degrees as well as English language learning delivered in partnership with African institutions, and certificates in fields such as supply chain management and global management. Through these programs, ASU aims to equip African youth with the critical technological, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Mastercard Foundation Innovation and Technology Scholars_Website

Innovation and Technology Scholarship

2025 Application

Scholarship details

The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with Arizona State University, will provide 160 graduate scholarships from 2025–2030. Scholars will pursue ASU degrees online with in-person support and wrap-around services from Kepler College in Rwanda, blending flexible online learning with personalized guidance and community engagement. For fall 2025, the Mastercard Foundation at ASU is recruiting 40 Scholars for the following online graduate degree programs at ASU:

College of Global Futures

MS Global Technology and Development

W.P Carey School of Business

MS Business Analytics

The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation

MEd Learning Design and Technologies

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

What is included in the scholarship?

The scholarship covers full tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, and comprehensive support for the two-year graduate program. Recipients will also benefit from individual mentorship, leadership development, and engaging events and programming. Additionally, Scholars will participate in a two-month summer intensive experience at ASU in the United States between the first and second year, aligned with their program of study.

How to apply

To access the application, please click here. The deadline to apply for fall 2025 is March 9, 2025.

Scholarship Details
The application deadline: Sunday, 9 March 2025, 23:59 GMT.
Eligibility: • Must meet academic and English proficiency requirements; • Must be an African citizen committed to ethical leadership and community engagement; • Applicants must be between 18 and 33 years; • Proven leadership, service, and academic excellence; • Undergraduate degree earned by July 2025; • No prior graduate degree started or completed before August 2025; • Must reside in Kigali, Rwanda for the program duration.

Scholarship Details

The application deadline: Sunday, 9 March 2025, 23:59 GMT.

Eligibility:

• Must meet academic and English proficiency requirements;
• Must be an African citizen committed to ethical leadership and community engagement;

• Applicants must be between 18 and 33 years;

• Proven leadership, service, and academic excellence;

• Undergraduate degree earned by July 2025;

• No prior graduate degree started or completed before August 2025;

• Must reside in Kigali, Rwanda for the program duration.