The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa supports highly talented, service-oriented young Africans facing the highest social and economic barriers to complete a Master of Science degree at Carnegie Mellon University's full-time campus in Kigali, Rwanda — in Information Technology (MSIT), Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS ECE), or Engineering Artificial Intelligence (MS EAI). Beyond full tuition coverage, scholars receive holistic support: application preparation, orientation, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses, project and entrepreneurship support, career preparation and leadership development.
Why it is notable: There is no separate scholarship application — students must first be admitted to one of CMU-Africa's degree programmes, and scholarship consideration follows admission. The early deadline (15 December) has a concrete perk: CMU-Africa covers your competency test fees if you apply by then.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Full tuition coverage (tuition and fees)
Application preparation support and orientation (including the Student Induction Program, May–August)
Health insurance
Travel and basic living expenses
Project and entrepreneurship support
Career preparation: internship and career fairs, networking with industry leaders, one-on-one career coaching
Leadership development: leadership training sessions, student clubs, community service, changemaker programmes
Access to resources supporting well-being and academic success through to employment or further education
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor Masters
This scholarship is offered for Masters (MSc) programmes at Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
Who can apply
Young people from Africa who face social and economic barriers to opportunity — CMU-Africa's scholars span the continent (40% from Rwanda, 60% from other countries; 45% female). Report exactly as published: the programme targets talented, service-oriented young Africans.
Experience
No experience required; the criteria are academic talent (values learning, drive to complete their education), commitment to giving back (demonstrated commitment to improving their communities), and potential to lead (will become role models, mentors and change-makers).
Language Certificate
English proficiency demonstrated through competency tests. Two steps to apply: (1) submit an online application, (2) complete competency tests. Any application received after the early admission deadline (15 December) will only be considered if submitted with valid DET/IELTS/TOEFL scores.
Other Certificates
academic transcripts (official transcript required upon enrollment for Fall 2027; transcripts must be received by 30 June 2027; only English transcripts accepted, or officially translated); recommenders' letters (MS ECE applicants can update recommenders' contact details after submission).
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
African countries (the programme targets young Africans facing social and economic barriers; scholars span the continent). Report exactly as published — no…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
bachelor's degree; admission to an eligible MSc programme (MSIT, MS ECE, MS EAI) is a precondition for scholarship consideration
02
Documents
online application, academic transcripts (official by 30 June 2027), CV, recommenders' letters (MS ECE), English proficiency evidence
03
References
recommenders' letters for MS ECE (recommenders' contact details can be updated after submission)
04
Language
competency tests; DET/IELTS/TOEFL required for applications submitted after the early deadline (15 December)
05
Selection attributes
academic talent, demonstrated commitment to giving back to communities, potential to lead; applicants face social and economic barriers to opportunity
06
Fee
not stated on official CMU-Africa pages reviewed — confirm before publishing
Document checklist
01Completed online application form
02Academic transcripts (unofficial at application; official transcript required by 30 June 2027 for enrollment)
03Resume/CV
04Recommenders' letters (MS ECE)
05English proficiency evidence: competency tests; DET/IELTS/TOEFL required for applications submitted after 15 December
Application fee
No fee — completely free
No separate scholarship application fee is published; confirm on the official page.
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Rwanda — student/entry visa for study at CMU-Africa in Kigali (specific category to be confirmed with the Rwandan mission or CMU-Africa's admissions team).
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Review the eligible MSc programmes (MSIT
MS ECE, MS EAI) and admission requirements on CMU-Africa's site.
→
02
Submit an online application from 1 October
(create an account as a first-time user).
→
03
Complete the competency tests. Apply by the
early admission deadline (15 December) for CMU-Africa to cover your competency test fees. Applications after 15 December must include valid DET/IELTS/TOEFL scores.
↓
06
Submit official transcripts by 30 June 2027
(mailed in sealed envelope from the Registrar's Office, or electronic copy sent directly from the Registrar's Office to africa.admissions@andrew.cmu.edu).
←
05
Admitted students attend the Student Induction Program (May–August 2027
online + in-person incl. English Enhancement Program); the semester begins September 2027.
←
04
Applications are reviewed January–April
admission decisions are shared April–May 2027 (email + application portal).
↓
07
Completed online application form
→
08
Academic transcripts (unofficial at application
official transcript required by 30 June 2027 for enrollment)
→
09
Resume/CV
↓
10
Recommenders' letters (MS ECE)
Application milestones
15 Jan 2027
Application deadline
15 Dec 2026
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official Carnegie Mellon University Africa platform.
What are the admissions deadlines for fall 2027? A: 1 October: applications open. 15 December: early admission deadline. 15 January: final application deadline.Is there a separate scholarship application? A: No separate form is published — to be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, students must first be admitted to one of CMU-Africa's What does the scholarship cover? A: Application preparation support, orientation, tuition and fees, health insurance, travel and basic living expenses, and project and entrepreneurship support — plus What happens if I apply after the early deadline? A: CMU-Africa covers your competency test fees only if you apply by 15 December. Applications after the early deadline are only considered with valid Can I update my application after submitting? A: Applications officially close on 15 January and cannot be changed after that date, but you can still update your resume/CV and test scores after applyiWhen will I hear back? A: Applications are reviewed January–April; decisions are shared April–May 2027 by email and through the application portal.Which programmes are eligible? A: Master of Science in Information Technology, Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence.How can I get help with my application? A: Contact the Admissions Team at africa-admissions@andrew.cmu.edu (response within 48 hours), or applyafrica@andrew.cmu.edu for general inquiries.
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Rwanda · Carnegie Mellon University Africa
