Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Master's in France

Key facts:

• Organisation: Mastercard Foundation and Sciences Po
• Category: Scholarship
• Country / region: France
• Deadline: 2026-12-14
• Open to nationalities (optional): African countries. Applicants with dual citizenship that includes a country outside Africa are not eligible.
• Funding: Full tuition fees and living expenses, including reserved housing in Paris and additional academic, personal and career support.
• Study level: Master's degree.
• Field of study: Various eligible Master's programmes at Sciences Po.
• Duration: Two years.
• Host institution: Sciences Po, France.
• Language requirement: Not specified in the announcement. Applicants should check the language requirements of their chosen Master's programme.

About the programme

• The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Sciences Po supports talented students from across Africa who want to pursue a two-year Master's degree in France.
• The programme covers the full financial needs of selected scholars throughout their studies.
• It aims to support students who can contribute to the development of their communities and countries.
• Scholars receive academic, personal and professional support to help them settle into life in France, complete their studies and prepare for employment.
• The programme also connects scholars with professional networks and opportunities across Africa.

Who can apply

Applicants must meet all the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of an African country.
• Applicants with dual citizenship that includes citizenship of a country outside Africa are not eligible.
• Be currently completing or already hold a Bachelor's degree from an institution on Sciences Po's approved list of partner universities.

Applicants may also qualify through either of these alternative routes:

• Hold or be completing a Bachelor's degree and have participated in a recognised bridge or mentoring programme offered by an approved partner organisation.
• Hold or be completing a Bachelor's degree and currently hold, or have previously held, refugee status recognised by UNHCR.

Additional requirements:

• Be under 35 years old on 1 September of the year in which the scholarship application is submitted.
• Not already hold a Master's degree.
• Not currently be pursuing a Master's degree.
• Be applying to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the first time.

What you get

• Full payment of tuition fees.
• Financial support covering living expenses in France throughout the scholarship period.
• Reserved accommodation in Paris for Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
• Support before departure and when arriving in France.
• An official welcome programme to help scholars settle into their new environment.
• Personalised support throughout the Master's programme.
• Career guidance to help scholars identify their professional goals.
• Access to career fairs focused on employment and internship opportunities in Africa.
• Opportunities to participate in entrepreneurship activities and access the Sciences Po business incubator.
• Mentoring through a programme co-run with the Africa Division of Sciences Po Alumni.
• Access to student services and other resources provided by Sciences Po.

How to apply

• Visit the official Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program webpage.
• Review the eligibility requirements carefully.
• Check whether your university or recognised bridge programme is included on the approved partner lists.
• Confirm that your chosen Master's programme is eligible.
• Prepare the required identity and academic documents.
• Create an account on the Sciences Po admissions platform.
• Complete the dedicated Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application.
• Submit your application before 14 December 2026.
• For questions about the scholarship, contact info.mcfsp@sciencespo.fr.

Application portal: https://admission.sciencespo.fr/applicants/login?lng=en

Documents required

Applicants must provide documents to confirm their identity and eligibility.

Identity document:

• Passport.
• National identity card.
• UNHCR card, where applicable.
• Travel document.

Academic documents:

For applicants from an approved partner university:

• Bachelor's degree certificate; or
• Academic transcript showing current third-year undergraduate studies.

For applicants whose university is not on the approved list:

• Proof of completed or ongoing Bachelor's studies, such as a transcript, diploma or certificate; and
• Certificate confirming successful completion of a recognised bridge programme.

For applicants applying through the refugee-status route:

• Proof of completed or ongoing Bachelor's studies; and
• Supporting documents confirming recognised refugee status.

Important dates

• Application deadline: 14 December 2026.
• Scholarship duration: Two years.
• Study location: France.
• Application cycle: 2027.