Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

About the programme

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University aims to deepen inclusive university education and support 1,000 young people from Africa to access quality education and transition into dignified and fulfilling work.

The programme supports academically talented young women and men from Sub-Saharan Africa whose access to higher education is constrained by social and economic barriers.

For the 2026/27 academic year, Makerere University announced 245 undergraduate and 13 master’s scholarships for students joining its main campus.

Application procedure

Applicants first apply for admission to Makerere University’s main campus. The separate scholarship application is completed at no cost through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application portal (opens in a new tab). Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the form on a computer.

The 2026/27 application deadline was 5 June 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EAT. The application process is free of charge. Do not pay anyone who promises to secure a scholarship.

Eligibility for master’s applicants

To apply for a master’s scholarship in the 2026/27 round, an applicant was required to:

1. Belong to at least one of these categories:
   • a refugee or internally displaced person;
   • a young person with disabilities;
   • an international student;
   • a young person living or working in a refugee-host community;
   • a member of an underrepresented ethnic group in Uganda; or
   • another Ugandan youth category.
2. Have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus for 2026/27.
3. Have completed undergraduate education in an African country.
4. Be experiencing financial constraints that limit access to graduate education.
5. Not hold another scholarship.
6. Not be pursuing or have completed another master’s degree.
7. Demonstrate leadership or community service.
8. Be 35 years old or younger at the application deadline.
9. Be 40 years old or younger if applying as a refugee, internally displaced person or young person with disabilities.
10. Hold a valid Refugee Identity Card or Family Attestation document when applying as a refugee.
11. Have applied for one of the priority master’s programmes (opens in a new tab).

Only shortlisted applicants are contacted for further selection activities. Applicants should read the official guidelines before completing the form.

Important notes

1. The Department of the Academic Registrar is responsible for university admission. Scholarship applicants must first apply for admission to Makerere University’s main campus.
2. At least 70% of the scholarships are intended for young women and 30% for young men.
3. At least 25% are intended for refugees and internally displaced persons.
4. At least 10% are intended for young people living with disabilities.
5. Selection follows merit principles and has zero tolerance for dishonesty or attempts to influence the process improperly.
6. Impersonation, false documents or false or incomplete information can result in cancellation of an award, repayment of disbursed funds and legal action.
7. Only successful applicants are notified at each stage. Applicants who had not heard from the programme by the end of August 2026 were advised to consider their applications unsuccessful.
8. Completing an application does not guarantee a scholarship.

Internally displaced persons are people forced to leave their homes by conflict, violence, persecution or natural disasters while remaining within Uganda. Applicants in this category should hold a recommendation or resettlement letter from the Office of the Prime Minister or its local representative.

Contact

For questions about the programme, contact the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Office by telephone at +256 700 716 128 or email info@mastercardfdn.mak.ac.ug.