Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027

Applications are open for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) 2027, a fully funded graduate scholarship opportunity supporting academically talented young people from Africa. The programme is designed for emerging African leaders who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, community service, and a commitment to contributing to the social and economic development of their communities and countries.

UBC is one of Canada's leading research universities and has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to provide relevant, high-quality university education to talented young Africans. Following an earlier phase that supported more than 171 Mastercard Foundation Scholars, the current 2024–2034 partnership is projected to support 351 graduate scholars across seven professional and research-based master's programmes.

The scholarship goes beyond tuition assistance. Scholars receive comprehensive academic, financial, personal, and professional support intended to help them succeed during their studies and transition into meaningful employment or entrepreneurship after graduation. The programme places particular emphasis on fields connected to forestry, agriculture, food systems, data science, water, land management, and sustainable development.

About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC is built around the belief that talented young people from Africa can contribute significantly to the transformation of their communities when they have access to quality education, leadership development, mentorship, and appropriate career support.

The programme's current phase focuses on graduate education and is expected to support scholars through a range of master's degrees at UBC. The academic areas have been selected because of their relevance to sustainable entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, community-led development, and Africa's future development needs.

In addition to completing their academic programmes, scholars participate in enriched educational experiences and receive support focused on student wellbeing, personal development, leadership, career preparation, and transitions into dignified and fulfilling work.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UBC receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:

• Full tuition and books.
• Flights and immigration support.
• Room and board.
• Stipends for living expenses.
• Health insurance.
• Academic and social support.
• Career services and employment support.
• Personal development and leadership programming.
• Access to the global Mastercard Foundation alumni network.
• Opportunities for enriched learning and hands-on experiences.
• Access to the Social Entrepreneurship Fund for eligible entrepreneurial initiatives.

Eligible Master's Programmes

Applicants must apply through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to one of the participating master's programmes.

Faculty of Forestry

Eligible programmes include:

• Master of International Forestry.
• Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management.
• Master of Science in Forestry.
• Master of Applied Science in Forestry.
• Master of Urban Forestry Leadership.
• Master of Sustainable Forest Management.

These programmes address areas such as forest management, environmental sustainability, natural resources, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Faculty of Land and Food Systems

Eligible programmes include:

• Master of Food Resources Economics.
• Master of Food Science.

These programmes connect with food systems, agricultural economics, food security, food science, and sustainable food production.

Faculty of Science

The Master of Data Science is also included among the eligible programmes.

The current thematic focus on forestry, agriculture, food, water, land management, and data reflects the programme's emphasis on sustainable entrepreneurship and community-led development.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Master's Degree Program at UBC, applicants must:

• Have completed a bachelor's degree.
• Not already hold a master's degree.
• Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application, meaning applicants must have been born in 1990 or later.
• Be a citizen or refugee of an African country.
• Be applying for one of the eligible master's programmes.
• Meet the minimum academic requirements for the programme selected.
• Meet UBC's minimum international credential requirements applicable to their country.
• Meet English-language requirements where applicable.

Selection Criteria

The selection process considers more than academic performance. UBC evaluates applicants according to several important factors, including:

• Academic merit and eligibility for admission to the chosen programme.
• Demonstrated leadership and service within the community.
• The quality and relevance of the application.
• Alignment with the programme's thematic focus.
• Potential contribution to the development of the applicant's home country.

Required Application Documents

The application requires applicants to submit information and supporting materials through the online application form. These include:

• Completed Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
• Curriculum Vitae or résumé.
• Two reference letters on official letterhead.
• Academic transcripts.

How to Apply

To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC:

1. Confirm that you meet the citizenship, age, degree, and academic requirements.
2. Review the participating master's programmes and identify the programme that best matches your academic and career goals.
3. Prepare your résumé and academic transcripts.
4. Arrange two strong reference letters on official letterhead.
5. Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
6. Upload the required supporting documents.
7. Review all responses carefully before submission.
8. Submit the expression of interest by the applicable deadline.
9. If selected for the next stage, follow UBC's instructions to submit the relevant graduate programme application.