Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship 2026/2027

The Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has structured its recruitment cycle for the 2026/2027 academic year to identify and empower academically exceptional yet economically marginalized African youth. The primary application portal closed all digital transmissions on Friday, 5th June 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EAT.

This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of African leaders by providing comprehensive support for undergraduate and masters studies. By removing financial barriers, the Mastercard Foundation ensures that scholars can focus on their studies, gain valuable skills, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Since the current selection and matching phase is underway, future leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa should utilize this unified manual to master the structural guidelines, priority disciplines, and eligibility criteria needed to engineer a successful application for the next open intake.

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.

Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Summary

Transformational Mandate of the Mastercard Foundation Partnership

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University operates as an institutional catalyst to democratize access to higher education across Africa. The foundational objective of this 1,000-scholar scaling phase is to transition vulnerable youth into dignified, fulfilling professional sectors where they can directly drive local economic development and institutional reform.

To reverse systemic inequities in higher education, the program enforces distinct selection quotas designed to elevate groups often excluded from advanced academic spaces:

• Gender Balance: A strict minimum of 70% of all scholarship slots are reserved exclusively for young women.
• Displaced Populations: At least 25% of the entry cohort is allocated to verified refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
• Inclusion Profiles: A mandatory 10% allocation tier is protected for young individuals living with documented physical or sensory disabilities.

What the Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Covers

The scholarship provides a comprehensive academic and personal support system that goes beyond simple tuition waivers, covering all institutional and living costs across your entire degree path:

• Instructional Fees: Complete coverage of 100% of university tuition fees and all mandatory operational or functional fees charged by the academic registrar.
• Living Provisions: Fully subsidized university-approved housing, meal allocations, and a regular monthly maintenance stipend to secure comfortable living conditions.
• Technical Assets: Provision of a high-performance personal laptop computer upon enrollment to facilitate modern research and digital literacy.
• Medical Protection: Full medical insurance coverage to safeguard physical well-being throughout the duration of the course.
• Human Development: Intensive leadership training seminars, professional entrepreneurial incubators, employability development courses, and dedicated psychosocial counselling networks.

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Institutional and Demographic Entry Criteria

Applicants must map across explicit personal, social, and academic parameters depending on their target level of study:

Undergraduate Cohort Parameters

• Target Profiles: Open to refugees, IDPs, international students from Sub-Saharan Africa, youth from underrepresented minority tribes, and economically constrained Ugandan citizens.
• Prior Qualifications: Applicants must have completed their advanced secondary level education (A-Levels or international equivalent) in an African country, or hold a recognized second-class/credit diploma. Alternatively, refugee candidates may pass Makerere University’s mature age entry exams for 2026/2027.
• Age Ceilings: General applicants must be 28 years old or younger at the time of the application deadline. Candidates applying under the refugee, IDP, or disability categories receive an extended age limit of 32 years or younger.
• University Admission Step: Candidates must have already submitted an active admission file to Makerere University’s main campus under the private sponsorship pathway for the 2026/2027 cycle. You cannot hold any other concurrent scholarship.

Postgraduate (Master’s) Cohort Parameters

• Academic Foundation: Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree at a recognized institution within the African continent.
• Degree Status: Candidates cannot currently hold or be in the process of finishing another Master’s degree at any university.
• Age Ceilings: Standard applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the closing deadline. Displaced individuals, refugees, and scholars with disabilities receive an extended age limit of 40 years or younger.
• Community Track Record: Applicants across all levels must provide clear proof of active involvement in leadership projects or community service initiatives.

Prioritized Fields of Study

Sponsorship is strictly limited to fields of study that directly address key development priorities in Africa.

Undergraduate Priority Fields

• Engineering & Technology (CEDAT): Architecture, Civil/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Land/Quantity Surveying, Computer & Communication Engineering, Fine/Industrial Art.
• Health & Medical Sciences (CHS): Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, Dental Surgery, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Health, Optometry, Speech Therapy.
• Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (CAES): Food Science, Agribusiness Management, Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Water & Irrigation Engineering, Bio-Processing Engineering, Forestry.
• Computing & Information Sciences (CoCIS): Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems and Technology, Library & Information Science.
• Natural Sciences & Humanities (CoNAS/CHUSS/Law): Petroleum Geoscience, Biotechnology, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Applied Psychology, Journalism and Communication, Bachelor of Laws.

Postgraduate (Master’s) Priority Fields

• Education Futures (CEES): Master of Adult and Community Education, Instructional Design, Educational Management, Early Childhood Education, Science/Language/Social Science Education.
• Business & Development Economics (COBAMS/CHUSS): M.A. in Economic Policy Management, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Public Infrastructure Management, M.A. in Rural Development.
• Technology & Advanced Practice (CoCIS/CHS/Law): Master of Science in Computer Science, Information Systems, Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Medicine in Pediatrics & Child Health, or Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

How To Apply

Because the scholarship selection engine requires rigorous background validation, upcoming applicants should master this step-by-step submission system:

Step 1: Complete the Separate Academic Registrar Form

Before attempting to request scholarship funding, you must apply directly to the Makerere University Academic Registrar under the private sponsorship stream for an eligible priority course. Retain your proof of submission or student ID allocation number.

Step 2: Establish Your Personal Portal Profile

Navigate to the designated Mastercard Foundation application site. Initialize an account with a verified email address, click the validation link sent to your inbox, and establish a secure password.

Step 3: Populate Your Electronic Dossier

Complete all fields in the digital application form using a computer rather than a mobile device to avoid formatting issues. The system allows you to save your progress under the “My Incomplete Submissions” column on your dashboard, enabling you to refine your materials over multiple sessions.

Step 4: Upload Your Mandatory Verification Documents

Attach high-resolution, certified PDF files of the following documents before hitting final submission:

1. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates.
2. Your official Makerere University admission application receipt.
3. National identification card or passport data page.
4. Valid Refugee Identity Card or Family Attestation forms alongside OPM resettlement recommendation letters (for IDP/Refugee tracks).
5. Two signed recommendation letters from academic mentors or verified civic leaders.
6. A structured personal essay detailing your financial constraints, leadership experience, and how your career goals will benefit your community.

Integrity Protection and Zero-Tolerance Anti-Fraud Policy

Crucial Anti-Exploitation Directive: The entire application and selection phase for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University is 100% free of charge. The university does not charge any application or processing fees. Anyone soliciting funds in exchange for a guaranteed scholarship slot is committing an offense and should be reported immediately to the program administration at +256 700-716-128 or via email at [email protected].

The selection committee enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation. Any attempts to improperly influence the selection process will result in immediate disqualification. If cases of document falsification, impersonation, or hidden financial assets are discovered after an award has been granted, the scholarship will be cancelled immediately. The applicant will be legally required to repay all disbursed funds and may face criminal prosecution under Ugandan law.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I do not receive a status notification by the end of the summer, what does it mean?

The selection office operates on a rolling review timeline throughout the summer months. If you have not received an official notification regarding shortlisting or advancement by the end of August 2026, you should consider your application unsuccessful for this cycle.

Can an applicant hold a different minor regional or state grant alongside this award?

No. To ensure limited resources are allocated to those in greatest need, candidates cannot hold any concurrent funding. This includes the official Government of Uganda national scholarship scheme or any external private educational grants.

Does submitting a completed funding application guarantee me a place at Makerere University?

No. Completing the scholarship form does not guarantee admission to the university or a slot in the scholars program. Academic admission is handled independently by the Department of the Academic Registrar, and only students with valid course offers can be selected for the scholarship.

Disclaimer: All program metrics, entry windows, funding quotas, and prioritized course configurations detailed in this guide were verified against official Makerere University Mastercard Foundation operational frameworks as of July 2026. Structural entry details and institutional contact channels are subject to updates by the program board. Always confirm active requirements directly via the official Makerere University portal before preparing your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with Makerere University or the Mastercard Foundation.

Official Application Portal