University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2025/2026

📖 About the Program

The University of Rwanda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is implementing a 10-year Scholars Program (2021–2031) aimed at expanding access to quality higher education for 1,400 talented young Africans with limited access to opportunities.

This initiative focuses on:

• Females pursuing STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
• Young people with disabilities
• Refugees and displaced youth

The program also aims to:

• Strengthen the University of Rwanda’s institutional capacity.
• Foster inclusive, supportive pathways toward dignified work.

For the academic year 2025, the program is recruiting scholars for selected undergraduate programs across 7 Colleges:

• College of Science and Technology
• College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Sciences
• College of Business and Economics
• College of Education
• College of Arts and Social Sciences
• College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences

These colleges operate on 5 campuses: Nyarugenge, Huye, Rukara, Busogo, and Nyagatare.

🎁 Benefits

Participants in the program will receive the following benefits:

• Comprehensive financial support, including:
  • Full tuition fees
  • Fully paid on-campus accommodation
  • A laptop and learning materials
  • Annual return ticket allowance
  • A full-year monthly stipend
• Psycho-social Support Services
• Internships with industry for professional development
• Academic support, including mentorship, virtual learning, and tutoring
• Career Development Services, such as:
  • Industrial mentorship
  • Career guidance
  • Professional and enterprise development
• Regular group meetings focusing on personal and professional development
• Opportunities to participate in:
  • Leadership congresses
  • Community services
  • Mentoring initiatives (Go-Back Give-Back)
• Membership in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni network and access to the Global Scholars Community

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of Rwanda (for the national scholarship quota) or any African country.
• Refugees or displaced youth in Africa are also eligible.
• Be academically qualified but with limited access to opportunities.
• Be under 28 years old at the time of application (or under 30 years for those with certified proof of protracted life conditions, such as refugees or single mothers).
• Meet the admission criteria for eligible programs at the University of Rwanda.
• Have a UR Reference number and submit an application for admission to one of the earmarked programs.
• Demonstrate a commitment to leadership and proof of community engagement or transformation initiatives.
• Refugees and individuals with disabilities must provide legal proof of their status (e.g., from UNHCR or NCPD).

📝 Application Process

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Complete the online application form using the link: University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Portal.
2. Refugee applicants must complete the form available in the online application portal.
3. Read all instructions carefully before starting the application.
4. You can fill out the application form in multiple sessions, but ensure you have all supporting documents ready before submission.
5. Ensure the following steps are completed:
   • Fill out the application form completely.
   • Attach all required documents (in PDF format, each file under 250 KB).
   • Name each document with your name and reference number.
   • Submit the application only when all fields and attachments are complete.
6. Note: Once submitted, the application fields are locked and cannot be edited.

📅 Important Dates

• Date Published: September 17, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 26, 2025

🌐 Contact and Additional Information

• For more details, visit the University of Rwanda Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
• To apply, access the Application Portal.

This is a fully funded opportunity designed to empower talented African youth. Don't miss this chance to be part of a transformative program!

• Comprehensive financial support (full tuition fees, fully paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, annual return ticket allowance, and a full-year monthly stipend).
• Psycho-social Support Services.
• Uniquely sourced internships with industry for professional development.
• Continued academic support through academic mentorship, virtual learning, and tutoring.
• Career Development Services (including Industrial Mentorship, Career Guidance, Professional Development, and Enterprise Development, among others).
• Regular group meetings with other scholars that focus on personal and professional development opportunities and activities tailored to build societal relationships and scholars’ capacity.
• Opportunities to participate in leadership congresses, community services and mentoring (Goback Give- Back).
• The prestige of becoming part of the growing family of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and networking with the Global Scholars Community.