Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026 (Fully Funded)
The Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026 is a life-changing opportunity for young African scientists who want to become leaders in fighting infectious diseases. This fully-funded program will train you to become an expert in using computers and technology to understand dangerous germs and diseases that affect Africa and the world.
If you’re passionate about science and want to make a real difference in health care across Africa, this scholarship could be your opportunity.
Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026 Summary
- Host Countries: South Africa and Senegal
- Study Abroad: Study in Africa
- Host Institution: Stellenbosch University and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD)
- In Partnership: Mastercard Foundation
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Master’s Scholarships
- Eligibility: African Students
- Reward: Full tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and more
- Deadline:
- Scholarship Application: June 26, 2025
- University Admission Application: August 31, 2025 (for international students) | September 30, 2025 (for South African students)
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Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026 Details
The African STARS Fellowship is a brand-new program that started in 2025. It’s designed to train the next generation of African scientists, innovators, and health leaders. The program focuses on a critical need: Africa has the youngest and fastest-growing population in the world, but young people often struggle to find good jobs. At the same time, Africa faces constant threats from disease outbreaks.
This fellowship addresses both challenges by training young Africans to become experts in:
- Genomics: Understanding the genetic makeup of germs and diseases
- Diagnostics: Finding better ways to detect diseases quickly
- Vaccine design: Creating new vaccines to prevent diseases
The program is run by two prestigious institutions:
- Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University in South Africa
- Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal
It’s funded by the Mastercard Foundation, which means you won’t pay a single cent for this world-class education.
Program Structure:
- Duration: 2 years (February 2026 to January 2028)
- Location: Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Phase 1: 9 months of classroom learning, including required courses in Statistics and Bioinformatics
- Phase 2: Over 1 year of hands-on research in world-class laboratories
Explore more Mastercard Scholarship opportunities in different fields – full details on our YouTube Channel:
Eligibility Requirements for the Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026
To qualify for the Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship, you must meet these criteria:
- Citizenship/Residence: You must be born in Africa or currently living in Africa
- Age: You must be 35 years old or younger when you apply
- Education: You need a Bachelor’s degree with honors (or equivalent 4-year degree) with at least 65% average
- Women are strongly encouraged to apply – the program actively seeks to increase female participation in science
Eligible Degree Fields:
Your degree should be in one of these areas:
- Bioinformatics
- Data Science
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Any closely related scientific field
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Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026 Benefits
This is a fully-funded fellowship, which means everything is covered:
- Tuition fees: Complete university fees paid
- Accommodation: Housing provided or paid for
- Living stipend: Monthly allowance for food, transportation, and personal expenses
- Research expenses: All costs related to your research project
- Air travel: Flight tickets to and from South Africa
- Health insurance: Medical coverage throughout your studies
Also, check out this Mastercard Foundation B.Sc. scholarship opportunity on our YouTube Channel:
Required Documents for the Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- CV/Resume
- Personal statement or motivation letter
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of citizenship or residence
- English proficiency test results (if applicable)
Apply for the Rhodes scholarship 2026, watch how to on our YouTube Channel:
How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation African STARS Scholarship 2025/2026 (Step by Step)
- Step 1: Apply for the Scholarship before June 26, 2025. Click the button below or here for the scholarship application form
- Step 2: Apply for University Admission before August 31, 2025 (international) or September 30, 2025 (South African), respectively. Click the button below or here to apply to the school
- Await further instructions. Check your email often so as not to miss any important information.
Confused About Where and How to Start Securing Scholarships Abroad:
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Here is an easy-to-follow guide for starting your scholarship application and crafting a compelling personal statement:
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Application Deadlines
IMPORTANT: There are TWO separate deadlines to remember:
Step 1 – Scholarship Application:
- Deadline: June 26, 2025
Step 2 – University Admission:
- Deadline: August 31, 2025 (for international students)
- Deadline: September 30, 2025 (for South African students)
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