Fully Funded Masters Scholarship at Sciences Po France 2026 for Africans

The Mastercard Foundation and Sciences Po offer a fully funded master’s scholarship for students from the African continent seeking a two-year master’s degree in France. The program covers the full financial needs of selected Scholars and provides support throughout their two years of study. The application deadline depends on the desired master’s admission decision: applicants may apply by 14 December 2026 for the later decision date.

About the Sciences Po Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at graduate level is for applicants pursuing a two-year master’s programme at Sciences Po. One-year master’s programmes and dual-degree programmes are not eligible. Applicants must apply both for the Scholars Program eligibility review and for admission to a Sciences Po master’s programme. Meeting the scholarship requirements does not guarantee admission or selection for the award.

Applicants must first meet Sciences Po’s academic requirements and the Scholars Program eligibility criteria. Those who are eligible and admitted to a master’s programme may then be considered for the scholarship. The selection review considers whether applicants have faced significant barriers to education, their commitment to the development of the African continent, and their potential to create positive, sustainable and measurable impact in their community, country or across Africa. The program also looks for leadership potential and an ambition to become a changemaker, particularly in public policy and political, environmental and societal transitions.

Shortlisted applicants who have been admitted may be invited by email to an online interview on Zoom. Interviews last approximately 25 minutes. Neither eligibility nor an interview invitation guarantees that an applicant will receive the scholarship. The selection committee makes a collective decision, and the program team informs applicants of the outcome. Successful applicants receive an official offer setting out Scholars’ rights and responsibilities. The offer applies only to the academic year for which it is issued; deferring admission by one year makes the applicant ineligible to join the program.

Once an offer has been accepted, the program team begins supporting incoming Scholars. Several online information sessions are arranged to help them prepare for arrival in France and integration into Sciences Po. Scholarship results are communicated in April 2027, regardless of when the master’s application was submitted. Applicants seeking an admission decision by 11 February 2027 must apply by 23 November 2026; those seeking a decision by 1 April 2027 must apply by 14 December 2026.

Applicants can explore other scholarship opportunities, browse master’s scholarships, and consult the study abroad guide by country for further study information.

Who Should Apply

This scholarship is intended for citizens of African countries who are completing or have completed a bachelor’s degree and can meet Sciences Po’s academic and admissions requirements. Applicants should be able to connect their chosen master’s programme with their personal and academic background and future career goals. The selection process is particularly interested in applicants who can draw on concrete experience and show a commitment to contributing to Africa’s socio-economic development.

Key Highlights

• Degree: a two-year master’s programme; one-year and dual-degree programmes are excluded.
• Location: Sciences Po, France.
• Funding: covers selected Scholars’ full financial needs.
• Application deadlines: 23 November or 14 December 2026, depending on the targeted admission decision date.
• Scholarship selection results are communicated in April 2027.
• Invited interviews take place online via Zoom and last approximately 25 minutes.