Arizona State University is currently accepting applications from African students for the Innovation and Technology Scholarship (funded by Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program) at the University.
In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University will provide a 9-month comprehensive academic and practical training in artificial intelligence (AI) and business for selected Mastercard Foundation Scholars. The Program seeks to cultivate leadership, entrepreneurship and AI technical skills, enabling students to become AI leaders equipped to tackle challenges in Africa and around the globe. 5 Scholarships are available for students admitted for the 2024/2025 academic year, which will cover the full tuition fees, expenses for accommodation, and comprehensive support. On top of financial support, Scholars will participate in activities as part of the wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Arizona State University, including leadership curriculum, individual mentorship, and other events and programming. Women, refugees and displaced persons, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. ASU is committed to enhancing the quality of students’ educational experience by ensuring accessibility for all programs and services.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU provides access to quality education to high-achieving African students who face significant economic barriers. Phase I provided access to undergraduate degrees to 120 African students. The Program is currently in its Phase II with a special focus on Strengthening Institutional Linkages. The 3+1+1 in partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Ashesi University where students complete their first three years of undergraduate degrees at the two partner institutions and an accelerated Masters degree at ASU in the fields of engineering and business. The Program is currently in its eighth cohort of fifty-nine students from seven African countries.
Study Programme: Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Business, MS-AIB
Eligible Countries: Africans
Country Host: USA
Scholarship Reward: Fully-funded tuition, stipend
Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship
2. Applicants must be a citizen of an African country committed to ethical leadership and demonstrated engagement in their community.
3. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 33 on or before the application deadline.
4. Applicants must demonstrate a track record of leadership and service in their community.
5. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and ambitions that exceed one’s financial resources.
6. Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree with a required minimum 4 years of study, conferred by July 2024.
7. Applicants must not have started or completed other graduate or masters degrees before August 2024.
8. Applicants must be able to live in Phoenix, Arizona for the duration of the program.
9. Applicants are recommended to have a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics and computer science.
Benefits of the Scholarship
The Scholarship will cover the following:
- Costs incurred for visa application processing
- Costs incurred for English language tests
- Costs incurred for program application
- Airfare to and from Phoenix, Arizona
- Full tuition, books and fees
- On campus housing
- Participation in Scholarship programming
Awards are tenable for the duration of the graduate program of study.
Application Process
All applicants, once registered, should have read and understood the application guidance and eligibility criteria before submitting an application to the Program to avoid any errors or incorrect information. Arizona State University and the Mastercard Foundation reserve the right to cancel incomplete and/or late applications, to effect changes to the conditions of the scholarship or to make no awards at all. Admission to the academic program does not guarantee admission to the scholarship program.
Interested candidates should kindly CLICK HERE to learn more about the scholarship and begin their application
