Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 (University of British Columbia) – Fully Funded Master’s Degree, Tuition, Living Stipend & Flights to Canada

Overview & Description

If you are an ambitious young African professional or refugee aiming to earn a world-class Master’s degree in Canada, high international tuition fees and expensive living costs can be overwhelming barriers. Finding an opportunity that covers 100% of your expenses while offering comprehensive career development is rare. This flagship scholarship at the University of British Columbia (UBC) bridges that exact gap—providing full financial coverage so you can focus entirely on gaining specialized expertise and driving transformational change back home.

Quick Summary: The University of British Columbia (UBC), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is accepting Expressions of Interest for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027. Designed for academically talented African citizens and refugees, this fully funded award covers select professional Master’s degree programs across Forestry, Land and Food Systems, and Data Science.

Overview / What This Opportunity Entails

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC provides access to high-quality graduate education for young Africans who demonstrate academic merit, leadership potential, and a commitment to community development.

The program supports specific Master’s degree tracks across three primary faculties: Land and Food Systems (e.g., MFRE, MFS), Forestry (e.g., MIF, MSFM, MUFL, MGEM), and Science (Master of Data Science). Scholars receive academic, personal, and career mentorship, preparing them to transition smoothly into dignified and fulfilling employment across Africa following graduation.

Core Details & Key Responsibilities / Benefits

Selected Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive end-to-end financial and professional support:

• Full Academic Funding: 100% coverage of all UBC tuition and mandatory student fees.
• Living & Arrival Allowance: A comprehensive living stipend to cover monthly housing, food, books, and living costs in Vancouver.
• Travel & Relocation: Covered round-trip international flights to Canada, visa processing costs, and health insurance.
• Holistic Support: Access to tailored leadership training, wellness support, peer mentoring, and career placement services.

Self-Qualification: Do You Match the Profile?

Review these strict eligibility requirements before submitting your Expression of Interest:

• Nationality Status: Must be a citizen or recognized refugee of an African country.
• Age Limit: Must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application (born in 1990 or later).
• Academic Background: Must hold a completed Bachelor’s degree and meeting minimum UBC admission credentials. Must not already hold a Master’s degree.
• Eligible Program Focus: Must intend to apply for an eligible Master’s degree under the Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, or Faculty of Science (Master of Data Science).
• Leadership & Impact: Demonstrated track record of community service, transformative leadership, and commitment to contributing to Africa’s development.

Key Program Timeline

AI Application Prompts (Use ChatGPT / Claude)

Copy and paste these custom AI prompts to quickly draft your application materials:

• Prompt 1: Expression of Interest Essay Draft“Act as an elite scholarship advisor. I am applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 at UBC for a Master’s degree in [insert program name, e.g., Master of Data Science, Sustainable Forest Management]. Draft a compelling 250-word statement demonstrating my community leadership experience, academic preparedness, and long-term vision to drive socio-economic growth in Africa.”
• Prompt 2: Community Impact & Leadership Statement“Help me structure my leadership impact statement for the UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. Create a 4-paragraph response outlining: 1) A specific challenge in my local community, 2) The initiative I took to address it, 3) The measurable outcomes achieved, and 4) How my studies at UBC will help me scale this impact.”

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Follow these sequential application steps to ensure your candidate package is considered:

1. Submit Expression of Interest (Deadline: 6 September 2026): Complete and submit the online Expression of Interest form on the official UBC Mastercard Foundation portal.
2. Submit Full Scholarship Package (If Invited): Shortlisted candidates will be invited between 15–30 September 2026 to submit full scholarship essays, reference letters, CV, and transcripts.
3. Apply for UBC Faculty Admission (1–20 November 2026): Candidates passing the scholarship review will receive direct instructions to submit an official UBC faculty admission application.

How to Submit Your Application

Click the Apply Now button below to access the official portal and submit your details directly.