{"id":1650,"date":"2026-08-10T20:01:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T20:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/?p=1650"},"modified":"2026-08-10T20:01:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T20:01:05","slug":"the-mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-at-the-university-of-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/?p=1650","title":{"rendered":"The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BACKGROUND<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The University of Rwanda in partnership with Mastercard Foundation is implementing a 10-year Scholars Program (MCF-SP@UR) aimed at enabling higher education access to qualified young Africans, yet economically disadvantaged and\/or coming from conflict and post-conflict affected areas with a focus on women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), young people with disabilities, and refugee and displaced youth and strengthen the UR capability for inclusive and supportive tertiary education pathways to dignified work<sup><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program is committed to developing Africa&#8217;s next generation of ethical and transformative leaders who would influence positive forward-looking changes in their respective home countries specifically, and on the African Continent<sup><\/sup>. It aims to drive and support transformation at three levels: individual (Scholars), institutional (the University), and system (higher education ecosystem and beyond)<sup><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda informs the prospective applicants that the online Program application portal for receiving applications for Postgraduate Academic Programs (Masters) for Academic year 2026-2027 will be open from <strong>24\/07\/2026 to 22\/08\/2026<\/strong><sup><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the academic year 2026-2027, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR is recruiting the <strong>3rd Cohort of 30 scholars<\/strong> in UR Postgraduate Programs (Programs with 2 years duration)<sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup>.<sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The program provides comprehensive scholarships for access to quality postgraduate university education at the University of Rwanda to qualified and academically talented, yet economically disadvantaged young Rwandans with leadership potentials, as well as other disadvantaged Africans, especially those in conflict and post-conflict areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Priority shall be accorded to:<\/strong> Females, Certified Refugees, and Persons with Disability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. ELIGIBILITY<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applicants must have applied for admission to the University of Rwanda for the September 2026 intake in programs with a duration of two years. Pre-selection will be conditional to admission into UR Masters Programs for the September intake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Priority will be given to candidates enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs, with <strong>80% of the selected candidates to be from STEM fields<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Priority shall also be accorded to <strong>Qualified Females (70%)<\/strong>, <strong>Certified Refugees (25%)<\/strong>, and <strong>Persons with Disabilities (10%)<\/strong>, who are academically talented, yet economically disadvantaged and with leadership potential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continuing students are <strong>NOT eligible<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. SELECTION CRITERIA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To apply for the scholarship, one must have successfully completed his\/her bachelor&#8217;s degree in fields of study related to the UR Masters program s\/he is applying for.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be Rwandan or African citizen (Refugees must be certified by UNHCR, MINEMA, or another related legal agency).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not above <strong>40 years of age for male<\/strong>, and not above <strong>45 years for female<\/strong> at the time of application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The applicant must demonstrate their critical social and\/or economic needs and\/or disability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The applicant must have proven records of leadership and community engagement(s).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The applicant must have a strong commitment to community engagement and be prepared to Go-Back and\/or Give-Back to his\/her community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>70% of all scholarships shall be accorded to Female and 80% of all scholarships shall be given to students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The applicant must not be enrolled in any other tertiary institution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. APPLICATION PROCESS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A general application form must be completed online using the following link: <a href=\"https:\/\/mcfsprecruitment.ur.ac.rw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/mcfsprecruitment.ur.ac.rw\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All applicants are required to upload supporting documents as required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicant can complete the online application form in more than one session. However, it is recommended that you start the application when you have all the supporting documents in place, but the application will be considered only after formal submission steps below:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Through the application process, there are different documents to be attached. Please make sure you name each document you will attach with your names and ensure they are saved in PDF format (with size less that 250 kb).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Submit<\/strong> at the end of the online application, only when all the fields and attachments have been fully completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. APPLICATION DEADLINE &amp; SUPPORT TEAM CONTACT DETAILS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eligible candidates can start the online application for the scholarships while gathering supporting documents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The deadline for the application for the scholarships:<\/strong> <strong>22nd August 2026 at 11.59 P.M (CENTRAL AFRICA TIME)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ADDITIONAL INFORMATION<sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Telephone numbers and email addresses provided by applicants should always be active to receive critical information on their application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The application for the scholarship is an ongoing process, until the application deadline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There will be a pre-selection step and those successful will be invited for an oral interview by independent panels and at each stage, unsuccessful candidates would be notified.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There would be unannounced on-site validation visits to the homes of selected students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are <strong>absolutely No Charges\/Fees\/Facilitation\/Agents or Intermediaries Required<\/strong> at any stage of the application and selection processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicants who will be discovered to have falsified information or attempt to influence the process at any stage (application or home visit) in order to gain advantage of the scholarship, shall be disqualified.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The decisions of the Scholars Recruitment Committee (SRC) are Final.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any misconduct (breaching university rules, regulations and policies including participation in riotous acts, involvement in subversive activities, illicit financial activities, terrorism, or denial of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi) on the part of the successful applicants (scholars) shall lead to automatic disqualification and loss of the scholarship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All scholarships will be on a rolling basis, implying that annual renewal of funding is subject to satisfactory academic performance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Successful applicants will be expected to become champions and transformative leaders, entrepreneurs and change makers at various levels, and shall remain in close communication with the University of Rwanda for at least 5 years after completing their studies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PACKAGE<sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a comprehensive scholarship that will be managed by the University of Rwanda<sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup>. The program also offers an opportunity for the scholars to receive holistic training that empowers them and lead them to the academic success, co<sup><\/sup>mmunity engagement, and transition to employment opportunities, which will equip the scholars to be global citizens<sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup>.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The scholarship will cover:<sup><\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Comprehensive financial support (full tuition fees, a laptop, learning materials, annual return ticket allowance, and a full-year monthly stipend).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Psycho-social Support Services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uniquely sourced internships with industry for professional development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continued academic support through academic mentorship, virtual learning, and tutoring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Career Development Services (including Industrial Mentorship, Career Guidance, Professional Development, and Enterprise Development, among others).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular group meetings with other scholars that focus on personal and professional development opportunities and activities tailored to build societal relationships and scholars&#8217; capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community services and mentoring (Go-back Give-Back).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The prestige of becoming part of the growing family of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and networking with the Global Scholars Community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Considering the level of investment, successful applicants will be required to <sup><\/sup>become high achievers, highly engaging and focused scholars, able to give back and make changes in their respective communities and Africa in general<sup><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. EVALUATIVE INTERVIEWS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Among the applicants, 30 scholars will be selected by the Scholars Recruitment Committee (SRC) based on the established selection criteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interviews will be scheduled and conducted using a predefined interview guide aligned with the expectations of the program and the vision of the institution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicants shall receive equal treatment especially concerning the questions being asked. Thus, the member of SRC shall discuss and agree on the questions to be asked and their distribution among panel members ahead of interviews.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An interview report shall be presented by the SRC in collaboration with the PIT office summarizing the interview processes and the interview results per academic program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The interview report shall be shared electronically with panel members for their inputs and agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Chair of SRC shall submit the interview and home visit report to VC approval of results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. DECLARATION OF RESULTS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The approved list of selected candidates for the scholarship will be published on the UR website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Scholarship award letters will be issued to successful candidates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Award letters will be issued by the VC Office.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. CONFIRMATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD BY CANDIDATES<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Successful candidates shall receive a scholarship award letter together with a scholarship acceptance form that must be completed and signed by the candidate to confirm acceptance of the scholarship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Duly completed and signed forms shall be returned via the program email within five workdays after reception of the scholarship award letter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In case a candidate declines the offer for any reason, the next in line of performance in the same program shall be awarded the scholarship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A scholarship offer cannot at any time be differed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Done in Kigali, 23\/07\/2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mcfsprecruitment.ur.ac.rw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BACKGROUND The University of Rwanda in partnership with Mastercard Foundation is implementing a 10-year Scholars Program (MCF-SP@UR) aimed at enabling higher education access to qualified young Africans, yet economically disadvantaged and\/or coming from conflict and post-conflict affected areas with a focus on women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), young people with disabilities, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1651,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-scholarships"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/study.sudancareer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Mastercard-Foundation-Scholars-Program-at-the-University-of-Rwanda.jpg?fit=750%2C421&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1650"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1650\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1652,"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1650\/revisions\/1652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/study.sudancareer.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}