The AUC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 offers full scholarships and comprehensive support for talented young Africans seeking a graduate degree at The American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt. The Spring 2027 opportunity combines academic study with leadership development, workshops and fieldwork to help scholars create positive change in their communities.
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Intake: Spring 2027
Study mode: Full-time graduate degree
Fellowship deadline: 8 November 2026 (extended deadline; closing time and time zone are not stated)
Separate graduate-admission deadline: 1 October 2026
Important: admission and scholarship deadlines are different
AUC’s fellowship calendar lists 8 November 2026 as the extended deadline for the Spring 2027 fellowship cycle. However, its graduate-admissions page lists 1 October 2026 as the Spring 2027 degree-seeking admission deadline, which has already passed. Applicants who have not submitted a graduate application should contact mastercardfdn@aucegypt.edu promptly to confirm whether they can still be considered. The fellowship deadline does not establish that late graduate-admission applications will be accepted.
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at AUC
The programme supports young people from across Africa who demonstrate academic ability and financial need. Alongside their degree, scholars participate in activities that develop leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurship skills, with the aim of contributing to their communities, countries and the continent.
Who can apply?
- Hold citizenship of at least one African country and currently reside in an African country.
- Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Apply as a new graduate degree-seeking student and meet AUC’s graduate-admission requirements.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent.
- Demonstrate financial need.
Transfer students are not eligible. Applicants must satisfy both the scholarship criteria and the requirements of their intended graduate programme. Review any required entrance examinations and English-language requirements before submitting your materials.
What does the scholarship cover?
- Tuition fees for nine credits per semester.
- A stipend during the fall and spring semesters.
- One laptop.
- Student services and activities fees.
- Medical service and health insurance fees.
- Accommodation in university dormitories or residences for scholars residing outside Cairo.
- An AUC bus subscription or travel allowance.
- Roundtrip airfare for fellows not residing in Egypt.
- Special software subscriptions or IT purchases for scholars with disabilities.
Funding may also cover remedial English modules or intensive English courses. Some candidates may qualify for additional support for research, publication fees and conference attendance. These additional items are subject to eligibility rather than guaranteed for every scholar.
Scholarship duration and renewal
The award covers the total study period of the degree on the basis of full-time enrollment. Continued support is reviewed every semester and depends on satisfactory academic performance. AUC does not specify a single fixed programme length on this scholarship listing; it depends on the degree.
Responsibilities of Mastercard Foundation scholars
- Maintain full-time student status.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2.
- Attend the programme’s supplemental workshops, including leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurship activities.
- Respond to reporting requests from AUC or the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program by the communicated deadlines.
How to apply for the AUC Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2027
The application has two separate steps:
- Apply for graduate admission: review AUC’s graduate requirements and submit the AUC online admission application. For Spring 2027, confirm your eligibility to proceed if you missed the 1 October 2026 admission deadline.
- Submit the fellowship application: complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars application through AUC’s fellowship application system by the applicable fellowship deadline.
Follow the current application instructions and prepare the documentation requested by AUC. Additional paperwork may be required for fellowship consideration. A graduate-admission application alone does not replace the separate scholarship application.
Deadline and programme contact
The extended Spring 2027 fellowship deadline is 8 November 2026. AUC has not stated a closing time or time zone on the fellowship calendar. Submit early and verify your admission status before relying on this deadline. For scholarship and application questions, email mastercardfdn@aucegypt.edu.
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