Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University Academic Year 2026/2027

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University aims to deepen inclusive university education support 1,000 young people from Africa to access quality education and transition into dignified and fulfilling work. This is achieved through the provision of scholarships to academically talented young men and women from Sub-Saharan Africa whose access to higher education is constrained by social and economic barriers. Makerere University is pleased to announce 245 Undergraduate and 13 Master’s scholarships under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for students joining the Makerere University main campus in the 2026/2027 academic year. Eligibility: To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus, an applicant must belong to one of the following categories: Refugee or Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Young persons living with disabilities International students Young people living in a refugee host community Young people from historically underrepresented communities Other Ugandan youth A) APPLICANTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMMES The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus under the private sponsorship scheme for the academic year 2026/2027. The applicant must have either; a) Completed their advanced secondary level education (or its equivalent) in an African country. b) Completed a diploma with at least a second class/credit award from any recognised institution in Africa. c) Passed the mature age entry examinations of Makerere University for the academic year 2026/2027 (for Refugees only) 3. The applicant must be experiencing financial constraints that limit their ability to afford a university education. 4. The applicant must not be a holder of any other scholarship, including the Government of Uganda Scholarship. 5. The applicant must not be pursuing or have completed an undergraduate degree programme at any university. 6. The applicant must have demonstrated engagement in leadership and/or community 7. The applicant must be 28 years or younger at the application deadline. 8. Applicants under the categories of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and young persons living with disabilities must be 32 years of age or younger at the time of the application deadline 9. A refugee applicant must hold a valid Refugee Identity Card or Family Attestation. 10. Applicants in the Refugee Host Communities’ category must have completed their secondary school education within those communities. 11. The applicant must have applied for degree programmes prioritised under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University main campus (please refer to the application form for the list of prioritised programmes). For the full list of priority programmes, visit: https://apply.mastercardfoundation.mak.ac.ug/ B) APPLICANTS FOR MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMMES The applicant must have applied for admission to Makerere University’s main campus The applicant must have completed their undergraduate education in an African country. The applicant must be experiencing financial constraints to afford graduate education. The applicant must not be a holder of any other The applicant must not be pursuing or have completed any master’s degree studies. The applicant must have demonstrated engagement in leadership and/or community service. The applicant must be 35 years or younger at the application deadline. Applicants in the refugee and student living with disabilities categories must be under 40 years of age at the application deadline. A refugee applicant must hold a valid Refugee Identity card or Family Attestation documentation. The applicant must have applied for degree programmes prioritised under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. For the list of priority programmes, visit: https://apply.mastercardfoundation.mak.ac.ug/ APPLICATION PROCEDURE Prospective applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University can access and complete the application form at no cost through the Online Application Portal (https://apply.mastercardfoundation.mak.ac.ug/) DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION The application submission deadline is Friday, 5th June 2026, at 11:59 PM EAT. For inquiries or clarifications, please call our office mobile line +256 700-716-128 or [email protected]