Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027 – Now Open

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is opening applications for its Winter 2027 intake, offering eligible African students and refugees an opportunity to pursue selected master’s degrees in Canada with comprehensive scholarship support.

Applications open on August 31, 2026, but prospective applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest by September 6, 2026.

This is a highly competitive opportunity aimed at academically strong young people who demonstrate leadership, community service and a commitment to contributing to the development of their communities and home countries.

What the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Offers

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive support to selected scholars, allowing them to focus on their studies and leadership development rather than the financial burden of studying abroad.

The programme is particularly significant because it is specifically designed to support talented young Africans and refugees who may otherwise face financial or structural barriers to accessing postgraduate education.

Successful candidates should carefully review the specific funding provisions applicable to their programme and intake.

Who Can Apply?

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

• Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
• Have been born in 1990 or later.
• Be a citizen or refugee of an African country.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree.
• Not already hold a Master’s degree.
• Apply for one of the master’s programmes specifically covered by the scholarship.
• Meet the academic admission requirements for the selected UBC programme.

Applicants must also satisfy any programme-specific requirements established by UBC.

If the applicant’s previous degree was not taught in English, they may need to provide an approved English-language test such as IELTS or TOEFL, depending on the requirements applicable to their programme and credentials.

Eligible Master’s Programmes

One of the most important aspects of this scholarship is that not every master’s programme at UBC is eligible.

The current eligible programmes include:

Faculty of Land and Food Systems

• Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)
• Master of Food Science (MFS)

Faculty of Forestry

• Master of Sustainable Forest Management (MSFM)
• Master of International Forestry (MIF)
• Master of Urban Forestry Leadership (MUFL)
• Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM)
• Master of Science/Master of Applied Science in Forestry — thesis-based

Faculty of Science

• Master of Data Science

Applicants should therefore choose their programme carefully before beginning the scholarship process.

The Application Has Three Major Stages

Unlike scholarships where students submit one application and wait for a decision, the UBC Mastercard Foundation process involves several stages.

Step 1: Expression of Interest

The first step is to submit an Expression of Interest.

Deadline: September 6, 2026

There are two streams:

• General Stream — for eligible applicants who are not refugees.
• Refugee and Displaced Persons Stream — for eligible refugee and displaced applicants.

Only candidates who satisfy the initial requirements will progress to the next stage.

Step 2: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Application

Invited candidates will be able to submit the full Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application between:

September 15–30, 2026

The selection process considers more than academic performance. Candidates are assessed on areas including:

• Academic merit.
• Transformative leadership.
• Community service.
• The relevance and quality of their application.
• Their potential contribution to the development of their home country.

Applicants should expect to provide:

• Scholarship application form.
• Personal statements.
• CV/resume.
• Two reference letters on official letterhead.
• Academic transcripts.

Reference letters must be uploaded with the application and should not be sent separately by email.

Step 3: UBC Faculty Application

Candidates who successfully progress through the Mastercard Foundation selection process will receive instructions for applying to their chosen UBC faculty.

The faculty application period is:

November 1–20, 2026

Late applications will not be considered.

Eligible candidates may also qualify for a UBC application fee waiver depending on their circumstances and country of citizenship.

Application Timeline

Who Is This Scholarship Best Suited For?

This opportunity is particularly attractive for African graduates whose academic background and career ambitions align with the eligible fields.

For example, candidates interested in food systems, sustainable agriculture, forestry, environmental management or data science could find a particularly strong fit.

However, academic eligibility alone is not enough. The Mastercard Foundation places significant emphasis on leadership and community impact.

A strong applicant should therefore be able to demonstrate not only what they have studied, but also what they have done with their knowledge and how they intend to create meaningful impact.

What You Should Prepare Now

Because the first deadline is only a few days after applications open, prospective applicants should begin preparing before August 31.

Prepare:

1. Academic transcripts.
2. Updated CV.
3. Two potential referees.
4. Evidence of leadership and community involvement.
5. A clear explanation of your career goals.
6. Personal statements focused on impact.
7. Proof of citizenship or refugee status where applicable.
8. Evidence of English proficiency if required.
9. A carefully considered choice of eligible UBC programme.

Bottom Line

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC is a major opportunity for eligible African students and refugees seeking a master’s degree in Canada.

The most important date to remember is September 6, 2026, because applicants must submit their Expression of Interest by that date before they can potentially progress to the full scholarship application.

Apply here

Applications open: August 31, 2026
Expression of Interest deadline: September 6, 2026
Study destination: University of British Columbia, Canada
Level: Master’s
Eligible applicants: African citizens and refugees
Age limit: 35 or younger
Intake: Winter 2027
Key fields: Food, agriculture, forestry, environmental management and data science