France Sciences Po MasterCard Foundation Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded for African Students

Posted by: Smart || Categories: Scholarship

The Sciences Po MasterCard Foundation Scholarships 2026 offer a fully funded opportunity for talented and socially committed students from Sub-Saharan Africa to pursue a Master’s degree in France.

This scholarship covers full tuition fees, monthly stipends, accommodation, and airfare, ensuring that exceptional African students — particularly those facing financial or social barriers — can access world-class education at Sciences Po, one of Europe’s most prestigious social science universities.

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🎓 Scholarship Overview

Host Country: France
Institution: Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Studies)
Level of Study: Master’s Degree
Eligible Regions: All Sub-Saharan African Countries
Funding Type: Fully Funded
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition | Living Stipend | Accommodation | Airfare
IELTS Requirement: Not Mandatory (depending on program)
Application Deadline: January 4, 2026

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🏫 About the Sciences Po MasterCard Foundation Scholarship

Since 2017, Sciences Po has partnered with the MasterCard Foundation alongside other elite institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh Universities to empower Africa’s next generation of visionary leaders.

Through this collaboration, more than 130 students from Sub-Saharan Africa have been admitted to Sciences Po’s social science programs, gaining access to transformative education designed to prepare them to lead sustainable change in their home countries.

The partnership aligns with the MasterCard Foundation’s “Young Africa Works” initiative, which aims to enable 30 million young Africans to secure meaningful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities by 2030.

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📌 Eligibility Criteria for Sciences Po MasterCard Scholarship 2026

To qualify for the Sciences Po MasterCard Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Citizenship:

   • Must be a citizen or legal resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.

   • Applicants studying or working temporarily outside Africa must prove residency status in the region.

2. Leadership & Commitment:

   • Demonstrate a strong desire to create positive change in Africa, especially in the areas of public policy, environmental sustainability, or social development.

3. Financial Need:

   • Show verifiable financial need. Supporting documents on financial background will be required.

4. Academic Background:

   • Hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) by the start of the next academic year.

   • Must not already hold or be pursuing a Master’s degree.

5. Program Eligibility:

   • Apply for a two-year Master’s program at one of Sciences Po’s seven Graduate Schools.

   • One-year programs, dual degrees, and joint programs are not eligible.

6. Language Proficiency:

   • Attain at least a C1 level in English or French, depending on the language of instruction for the chosen program.

7. Age Requirement:

   • Must be under 35 years old at the start of the academic year.

8. Recommendation Letter:

   • Provide a recommendation from your university or an academic advisor.

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💰 Scholarship Benefits

The Sciences Po MasterCard Scholarship 2026 provides full financial coverage and holistic support throughout the student’s academic journey:

Financial Support

• Full tuition fee coverage for the entire Master’s program.

• Monthly living stipend to cover basic expenses.

• Accommodation in Paris specifically arranged for scholarship holders.

• Round-trip airfare to and from France.

Academic & Career Support

• Pre-departure preparation and official orientation program on arrival in France.

• Personalized academic advising and mentoring throughout the program.

• Career development guidance, including:

  • Professional mentoring via the Sciences Po Alumni Africa Division.

  • Internship and employment support through the Careers Service.

  • Access to the Sciences Po Business Incubator and networking opportunities with employers across Africa.

  • Participation in conferences and professional workshops.

Integration & Well-being

• A strong student support network that fosters social inclusion, academic success, and mental well-being.

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📄 Required Documents for Application

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents during the application process:

1. Personal Details (via the online portal).

2. Letter of Recommendation – completed and signed by your academic advisor or university representative.

3. Proof of Financial Need – official documents demonstrating your financial situation.

4. Academic Records – including transcripts and degree certificates.

5. Motivational Statement – a detailed essay (1–2 pages) describing:

   • Your experience with key challenges affecting Africa.

   • Your leadership and community involvement.

   • Your plans for driving social and economic transformation in Africa after graduation.

Note:
The quality and authenticity of the motivational statement will be a key factor in the selection process.

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🧭 Step-by-Step Application Process for 2026

Follow these three steps carefully to apply for the Sciences Po MasterCard Foundation Scholarship 2026:

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STEP 1: Check and Confirm Eligibility

• Visit the official MasterCard Foundation–Sciences Po webpage to fill out the eligibility request form.

• Provide accurate personal and academic information.

• Once reviewed, you will receive confirmation of your eligibility status.

Note:
Eligible applicants will have their Sciences Po application processing fee waived.

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STEP 2: Apply to Sciences Po (Main Admission Process)

• Submit your application to a two-year Master’s program through the Sciences Po Graduate Admissions Portal.

• You can begin your program application at the same time as your eligibility request.

• Wait until you receive confirmation of your fee waiver before submitting your final Sciences Po application.

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STEP 3: Admission & Scholarship Results

• Admission Results: Mid-February 2026

• Scholarship Results: Mid-March 2026

Important:

• Admission to Sciences Po does not automatically guarantee scholarship selection.

• If you defer your admission to a later year, the scholarship offer will be forfeited.

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📅 Important Dates

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🌍 Why Choose Sciences Po?

• Ranked among Europe’s top universities for political science, international relations, and public affairs.

• Located in Paris, one of the most vibrant academic and cultural cities in the world.

• Strong emphasis on innovation, leadership, and global impact.

• Extensive African alumni network working across policy, business, and social development sectors.

• A learning environment that promotes critical thinking, multicultural collaboration, and civic responsibility.

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📘 Quick Summary

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🏁 Final Thoughts

The France Sciences Po MasterCard Foundation Scholarships 2026 represent an extraordinary opportunity for young African leaders to gain a world-class education and return home equipped to drive transformation in their communities and nations.

By investing in academic excellence, leadership potential, and social commitment, this program continues to shape the next generation of African changemakers.

📅 Deadline: January 4, 2026

APPLY HERE

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