APPLICATIONS CLOSED — PREPARE FOR THE NEXT CYCLE
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University offers graduate study opportunities for young African professionals interested in technology, innovation and related fields. For the 2027–2028 cycle, Arizona State University announced 30 graduate study opportunities across selected master’s programmes.
The current application deadline was September 27, 2026. Since that deadline has now passed, this article is designed both as a record of the 2027–2028 cycle and as a preparation guide for applicants who want to monitor the next opportunity.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU |
| Host institution | Arizona State University |
| Study level | Graduate/Master’s |
| Target group | Young African professionals |
| Current cycle | 2027–2028 |
| Opportunities | 30 graduate study opportunities |
| Study format | Full-time, on-campus |
| Main focus | Technology and innovation |
| Application status | Closed |
| Deadline | September 27, 2026, 23:59 GMT |
| Provider | Arizona State University and Mastercard Foundation |
What Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University is part of the Foundation’s broader education and leadership initiative. The current ASU phase focuses on graduate education and professional development in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
For the 2027–2028 scholarship cycle, ASU offered 30 graduate study opportunities for young African professionals pursuing master’s degrees in selected technology and innovation-related programmes.
The programme also places emphasis on using education and professional skills to contribute to communities and support social and economic development in applicants’ home countries.
Which Master’s Programmes Are Covered?
For the current cycle, ASU listed the following full-time, on-campus graduate programmes:
- MS Global Technology and Development
- MS Information Technology
- MCS Computer Science
- MS Data Science Analytics & Engineering
- MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- MS Clean Energy Systems
- MS Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
- MS Modern Energy Production and Sustainable Use
- MS Human Systems Engineering – Intelligent Systems
Applicants interested in a future cycle should confirm that their preferred programme remains on the official eligible-programme list before applying.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
ASU states that the scholarship includes:
- Full tuition and fees
- On-campus housing and books
- Visa expenses
- Airfare
- Medical expenses
- Leadership development
- Academic advising and support
- A two-month internship between the first and second years
Applicants should always check the official ASU programme page for the current cycle because scholarship benefits can change.
Who Is This Opportunity Designed For?
The programme is aimed at young African professionals interested in graduate-level study related to technology and innovation.
ASU also states that women, refugees and displaced persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should not assume that meeting a general description automatically makes them eligible. Admission requirements for the selected master’s programme must also be considered.
What African Applicants Should Prepare
Because the application period for the 2027–2028 cycle has closed, prospective applicants should use the period before the next cycle to prepare.
Consider preparing:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Curriculum vitae
- Evidence of professional experience
- Personal statements or essays where required
- Evidence of leadership or community involvement
- Passport documentation
- References or recommendation materials where required
Applicants should also research the specific admission requirements for the master’s programme they intend to study.
Why Preparing Early Matters
A scholarship application is not something to begin a few days before the deadline.
For technology-related graduate programmes, applicants may need to demonstrate both academic preparation and a clear connection between their proposed field of study and their professional or community goals.
A useful preparation exercise is to answer three questions:
- What problem in my community or country am I trying to address?
- How does the proposed master’s programme help me develop the skills to address it?
- What will I do with those skills after completing the programme?
These questions can help applicants develop a clearer application narrative when the next cycle opens.
What Happened to the 2027–2028 Application?
The official ASU deadline for the current cycle was September 27, 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
That deadline has now passed.
Applicants should therefore be cautious about websites or social media posts still presenting the 2027–2028 application as open.
The next application cycle should be confirmed directly through the official ASU Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website when announced.
Who Should Consider This Opportunity?
The programme may be particularly relevant to African professionals who:
- Want to pursue a technology or innovation-related master’s degree
- Meet the academic requirements for one of the eligible programmes
- Have a clear interest in community or economic development
- Are interested in combining graduate education with leadership development
- Need substantial financial support to study internationally
Who Should Not Assume They Qualify?
This is a graduate scholarship. Someone looking for undergraduate funding should look for a different programme.
Applicants should also avoid assuming that every technology-related master’s degree at ASU is automatically covered. The eligible-programme list should be checked for each application cycle.
How to Prepare for the Next Cycle
Even though the current application has closed, prospective applicants can use the coming months to:
- Identify a relevant ASU master’s programme.
- Review its academic admission requirements.
- Prepare academic documents.
- Update your CV.
- Document leadership and community activities.
- Develop a clear explanation of your career and community goals.
- Monitor the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU website.
Verification Note
Opportunities With Igbinovia reviewed the information in this article against Arizona State University’s official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program information on September 28, 2026. The 2027–2028 application deadline has passed, and future programme details should be confirmed from the official ASU source when a new cycle is announced.
Official Application and Programme Information
Applicants should use the official Arizona State University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program website for future announcements, eligibility requirements and application instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASU Mastercard Foundation Scholarship currently open?
No. The 2027–2028 application deadline was September 27, 2026.
How many graduate opportunities were offered?
ASU announced 30 graduate study opportunities for the 2027–2028 cycle.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
ASU states that the scholarship includes full tuition and fees, on-campus housing and books, visa, airfare and medical expenses, as well as leadership development, academic support and a two-month internship.
Is the scholarship available for undergraduate study?
The current opportunity discussed in this article is for graduate study.
What should I do if I missed the deadline?
Do not submit through unofficial links claiming to accept late applications. Instead, prepare for the next cycle and monitor the official ASU programme website.
Final Takeaway
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU is a graduate opportunity focused on technology and innovation for young African professionals. While the 2027–2028 application period has closed, prospective applicants can use this time to identify eligible programmes, prepare their documents and strengthen their academic and leadership profile before the next cycle opens.
