Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda 2026-2027: 170 Full Undergraduate Scholarships Open (Cohort 5).

The University of Rwanda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has officially opened applications for Cohort 5 of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Assoc. Prof. Kayihura Muganga Didas, Ag. Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda.

If you're a young Rwandan or African with real talent and limited access to opportunities, please read this whole article. It's a serious, government-linked opportunity, and the details matter.

About the Program

The University of Rwanda and the Mastercard Foundation are running a 10-year Scholars Program (2021 to 2031). Its goal is to expand access to quality higher education for 1,400 talented young Africans with limited access to opportunities.

The program puts special focus on:

• Females pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Young people with disabilities
• Refugees and displaced youth

It also aims to strengthen the University of Rwanda's institutional capacity and build inclusive, supportive pathways toward dignified work. The bigger vision is to develop Africa's next generation of transformative leaders, with change happening at three levels: individual (the Scholars), institutional (the University), and system (the higher education ecosystem and beyond).

Who This Call Is For

Cohort 5 is recruiting for the 2026-2027 academic year across selected undergraduate programs. It's a chance for recent high school graduates to enroll at the University of Rwanda. It's also a second chance for applicants who missed earlier recruitment cycles and haven't yet found another way to begin their tertiary education.

Studies take place across 7 Colleges on 6 Campuses:

• Colleges: Science and Technology; Medicine and Health Sciences; Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences; Business and Economics; Education; Arts and Social Sciences; Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production

• Campuses: Nyarugenge, Huye, Rukara, Busogo, Nyagatare and Rwamagana

Eligible Programs and Number of Scholarships.

The Program has selected priority undergraduate programs for 2026-2027. In total, 170 scholarships are available.

Nyarugenge Campus: College of Science and Technology (41 scholarships)

Huye Campus

College of Business and Economics (8 scholarships)

College of Medicine and Health Sciences (87 scholarships)

College of Arts and Social Studies (8 scholarships)

Busogo Campus: College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences (9 scholarships)

Nyagatare Campus: College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (9 scholarships)

Rukara Campus: College of Education (8 scholarships)

Total: 170 scholarships (41 + 8 + 87 + 8 + 9 + 9 + 8).

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The scholarship is open to African students of all races, colors, or descent, with limited access to opportunities. You must be admitted into one of the eligible programs listed above.

Some important rules:

• Selected applicants who hold other scholarships of any kind must be willing to discontinue them. Anyone found with a double scholarship will be automatically discontinued.
• Continuing students are not eligible.

Selection Criteria

To qualify, you must:

1. Be a citizen of Rwanda to benefit from the national scholarship quota.
2. Be a citizen of any African country, a refugee, or displaced youth in Africa.
3. Be academically qualified, with limited access to opportunities.
4. Be not above 28 years at the time of application, and not above 30 years if you have certified proof of a protracted life condition (refugees, single mothers, child-headed family, etc.).
5. Meet the admission criteria for the eligible programs at the University of Rwanda.
6. Have generated a UR Reference number and applied for admission to UR in one of the earmarked programs.
7. Demonstrate commitment to leadership and proof of community engagement (giving back) and/or transformation initiatives.
8. If you are a refugee or a person with a disability, provide legal proof of your status from UNHCR or NCPD respectively, or any other duly recognized organization.

What the Scholarship Covers

This is a comprehensive scholarship managed by the University of Rwanda. Scholars receive holistic training that empowers them toward academic success, community engagement and transition to employment, equipping them to be global citizens.

The scholarship covers:

• Comprehensive financial support: full tuition fees, fully paid on-campus accommodation, a laptop, learning materials, an annual return ticket allowance, and a full-year monthly stipend
• Psycho-social support services
• Uniquely sourced internships with industry for professional development
• Continued academic support through academic mentorship, virtual learning, and tutoring
• Career development services, including industrial mentorship, career guidance, professional development, and enterprise development, among others
• Regular group meetings with other scholars focused on personal and professional development, tailored to build societal relationships and scholars' capacity
• Opportunities to take part in leadership congresses, community service, and mentoring (Go-back Give-back)
• The prestige of joining the growing family of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni and networking with the Global Scholars Community.

Given the level of investment, successful applicants are expected to be high achievers, highly engaging and focused scholars, able to give back and make changes in their communities and across Africa.

How to Apply.

1. Fill in the general application form online here: https://mcfsprecruitment.ur.ac.rw/
2. Read through all instructions and required information before completing the form.
3. Start the application when you already have your supporting documents ready, so the process goes smoothly.

Your application will be considered only after submission, and only when all of these steps are done:

• The application form and processes are fully completed.
• All required documents are attached. Name each document with your names and reference number used during your initial application to UR, and save them in PDF format with a size of less than 250 KB.
• Click Submit only when all fields and attachments are fully complete.
• Upload all supporting documents before final submission. Once submitted, all application fields are closed and cannot be repeated.

You can start the online application while you gather your supporting documents.

Application Deadline

The deadline is 12/10/2026 (12 October 2026). With the call signed on 28 September, time is short. Please don't wait for the last day.

Application Support Team (Official UR Contacts)

During the application period, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR support team is available to provide information.

• Mr. Emmanuel Kamanzi, UR Admission and Registration Specialist. Tel: +250 788 736 530. Email: admissions@ur.ac.rw
• Mr. Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza, Data Analytics and IT, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR. Tel: +250 783 016 900
• Dr. Odette Uwizeye, Registrar of the University of Rwanda. Tel: +250 788 304 391. Email: registrar@ur.ac.rw
• Mr. Oscar Muvandimwe, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR. Tel: +250 788 488 272. Email: o.muvandimwe@ur.ac.rw

Need help with your application?

Not sure how to prepare your documents, compress them under 250 KB, or complete the online form? Contact The Light of Engineering for application support:

Call or WhatsApp: +250 784 868 557

Important Additional Information

• Keep your telephone number and email address active at all times. Critical information about your application will be sent there.
• The application is a staggered, ongoing process.
• Pre-selected applicants will be invited to an oral interview by independent panels. At each stage, only successful candidates are notified.
• There will be unannounced on-site validation visits to the homes of selected students.
• There are absolutely no charges, fees, facilitation, agents or intermediaries required at any stage of the application process. Never pay anyone to "secure" a place.
• Applicants found to have falsified information or tried to influence the process at any stage (application or home visit) will be disqualified.
• The decisions of the Selection Committee are final, after the SRC has handled and responded to all appeals.
• Successful applicants are expected to become champions, transformative leaders, entrepreneurs and change makers, and to stay in close communication with the University of Rwanda for at least 5 years after completing their studies.
• Any misconduct can lead to automatic disqualification and loss of the scholarship. This includes breaching university rules, regulations and policies, participation in riotous acts, involvement in subversive activities, illicit financial activities, terrorism, denial of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, or propagation of genocide ideology.
• All scholarships are on a rolling basis. Annual renewal of funding depends on satisfactory academic performance.

Evaluative Interviews.

• Scholars are selected by the Recruitment Committee (SRC) based on the selection criteria above.
• Interviews follow a predefined interview guide aligned with the program's expectations and the institution's vision.
• All applicants receive equal treatment, especially in the interview questions asked.

Declaration of Results

• The approved list of selected candidates will be published on the UR website.
• Scholarship award letters will be issued to successful candidates.
• Award letters are issued by the UR Vice Chancellor's office.

Confirming Your Scholarship Award

• Successful candidates receive an award letter and a scholarship acceptance form, which they must complete and sign to confirm acceptance.
• Parents or guardians must complete and sign a commitment form confirming acceptance of support to the scholar.
• Duly completed and signed forms must be returned via the program email within five workdays after receiving the award letter.
• If a candidate declines the offer for any reason, the next in line of performance is awarded the scholarship.
• A scholarship offer cannot be deferred at any time.

Final advise for you

A full scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, a laptop, and a monthly stipend, plus mentorship, internships and a global alumni network, is not something to scroll past. If you or someone you know fits the criteria, share this article today. The deadline is 12 October 2026.

For more verified scholarships, jobs, fellowships, internships, and online courses for Rwandans and Africans, keep following The Light of Engineering (thelightofengineering.com).

Source: Official Call for Applications, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda, Cohort 5, Academic Year 2026-2027, signed 28 September 2026.