2025 Innovation and Technology Scholarship Application

* Please do not request edit access. To access the online application and submit your scholarship application directly, click here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click NEXT to begin. This is the preferred method of submission.

Click here to download the PDF version of the application. Submit the completed form and all attachments to mastercardfndnscholars@asu.edu.

Thank you.*

Application Deadline: Sunday, 3 November, 23:59 GMT

Scholarship Overview

The Mastercard Foundation, In partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), will provide graduate scholarships to train 120 young African professionals at the master’s level for various programs over 5 years (2025 – 2030). This is a fully immersive and traditional on-campus 2-year master’s program with an emphasis on technology and innovation. Recognizing the rapid evolution of the global digital economy, this program aims to equip African youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in areas such as technology and sustainable innovation.

30 Scholarships are available for students admitted for the 2025/2026 academic year, which will cover the full tuition fees, expenses for accommodation, and comprehensive support for the 2-year graduate program. On top of financial support, Scholars will participate in activities as part of the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU, including leadership curriculum, individual mentorship, and other events and programming. While classes are in session, Scholars have the opportunity to work part-time in on-campus positions, either with the Baobab Platform team or in the broader ASU community. Between the first and second year, Scholars will be supported to participate in a 2-month Africa-based internship that aligns with their program of study.

A strong expectation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is that participants return to their home countries to invest their gained skills and education in their country’s social and economic growth. Women, refugees and displaced persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. ASU is committed to enhancing the quality of students' educational experience by ensuring accessibility for all programs and services.

Scholarships are available for one the following full-time, on-campus graduate programs:

MS Global Technology and Development

MS Information Technology

MS Human Systems Engineering - Intelligent Systems

MS User Experience

MSC Computer Science

MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering

MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems

MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering

MS Clean Energy Systems

MS Data Science, Analytics and Engineering

MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must qualify academically for admission to the degree of their choice that includes English proficiency.
Applicants must be a citizen of an African country committed to ethical leadership and demonstrated engagement in their community.
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 33 on or before the application deadline.
Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service in their community.
Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and ambitions that exceed one's financial resources.
Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree conferred by July 2025.
Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or master’s degrees before August 2025.
Applicants must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the duration of the program.

Value of the Scholarship

The Scholarship will cover the following:

Costs incurred for visa application processing
Costs incurred for English language tests
Costs incurred for program application
Airfare to and from Phoenix, Arizona
Full tuition, books and fees
Medical expenses
On campus housing
Participation in Scholarship programming

Awards are tenable for the duration of the graduate program of study.

The deadline for all applications will be 23:59 GMT on Sunday, 3 November. All applicants must apply for the scholarship first and, if successful, will be assisted in the process of applying for admission to Arizona State University. Scholarship interviews via video or phone call will be held in November 2024, with final decisions made by late January 2025. All successful applicants will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to join the Program in August 2025.

All applicants, once registered, should have read and understood the application guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting an application to the Program to avoid any errors or incorrect information. Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation reserve the right to cancel incomplete and/or late applications, to effect changes to the conditions of the scholarship or to make no awards at all. Admission to the academic program does not guarantee being awarded the scholarship.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions here and direct any questions to mastercardfdnscholars@asu.edu.

There are 2 ways to submit your application:

We encourage applicants to submit an online application. To proceed to the online application, please click NEXT.

If you have limited internet access, complete a downloadable version of the application. Click HERE to access the form, This link will open a Word document. Please do not request edit access.

Click "Open With" to download to your platform of choice. Or click the Download icon on the top right to download the file directly.

Submit the completed form by emailing mastercardfndnscholars@asu.edu with all required attachments.

APPLICATION FORM

Surname Name

Given Names

Preferred Full Name

Year of Birth (YYYY)

Sex (highlight or check one)

Female
Male
Prefer not to say
Other

Email Address

Phone Number

WhatsApp Number

Primary Address

Country of Birth

Country of Citizenship

Second Country of Citizenship (if applicable)

Country of Residence (at time of application)

What is/are your Native language(s)?

Please list any additional language(s) that you speak.

Is your current household located in a rural or urban area?

What is the highest level of education your parent/mother/father has received?

Do you currently own a passport?

Do you identify as a refugee or displaced person, or person with a disability? (highlight or check one)

No
Refugee/Displaced Person
Disability
Chose not to answer

How did you fund your bachelor’s degree? Please select all that apply. (highlight or check one)

Self/parent
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Government Scholarship/Bursary
Loan
Extended family (uncle/aunt)

If you are selected for a video/phone interview, please let us know if you need any accommodation.

When did you/will you complete your bachelor’s degree? Example: 2015

What institution did/will you receive your bachelor’s degree from?

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

Diploma
Undergraduate/bachelor’s degree (BA/BS)
Post Graduate Certificate
Graduate/Masters/Doctoral Degree (MS/MA/PhD)

What was/is your program of study/major?

What is/was your cumulative undergraduate GPA (CGPA) or weighted average? Please include scale (Example: 3.5/4.0, 4.75/5.0 or 83.3/100)?

Did you graduate with honors? (highlight or check one)

First Class/Magna Cum Laude
Second Class Upper/Summa Cum Laude
Second Class Lower/Cum Laude
Third Class/ (upper or lower)
Other

Please select your preferred academic program for the 2025 Innovation and Technology Scholarship at ASU. (highlight or check one)

Please provide a personal statement that outlines your motivations for pursuing your chosen master’s degree program. Discuss your relevant academic and professional experiences, and how this program aligns with your career goals. (500 words)

Please describe your leadership experience(s). This can include entrepreneurial endeavors, roles in organizations, or other leadership positions where you have made an impact. How have these experiences allowed you to contribute to or positively impact your community, and what lessons have you learned from them? (500 words)

Can you share a significant experience in your life where you demonstrated resilience? Please describe the challenges or obstacles you faced, as well as the support you received along your educational and/or career journey. How did these experiences shape your personal growth and contribute to your success? (250 words)

Documents to Submit

Resume: Upload your resume.

**IMPORTANT** The name of your files MUST INCLUDE your name so we can identify it as yours. Ex: Jane Doe_RESUME

Letter of Recommendation: Upload one (1) letter of recommendation.

**IMPORTANT** The name of your files MUST INCLUDE your name so we can identify it as yours. Ex: Jane Doe_LETTER OF REC

Unofficial Transcripts: Upload your unofficial transcripts documents. If your transcript is not in English, please also provide an English translation.

**IMPORTANT** The name of your files MUST INCLUDE your name so we can identify it as yours. Ex: Jane Doe_TRANSCRIPT

Proof of English Proficiency (Optional): Upload a copy of your English proficiency test scores if you have it in your possession.
Note: this documentation is not necessarily required to complete the scholarship application but is required for graduate admissions.

**IMPORTANT** The name of your files MUST INCLUDE your name so we can identify it as yours. Ex: Jane Doe_LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Application Checklist

Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application will include the following:

Scholarship form
Resume
One letter of recommendation
Unofficial transcript, with English translation if needed
Proof of English language proficiency (Optional)

Permissions

By highlighting "Submit", you grant Arizona State University permission to use your information provided to evaluate your eligibility for the opportunity and anonymously report information related to the program's impact. Additionally, you grant permission for us to send service emails and announcements about the Program to the contact information you provided.

Submit