The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at FAWE supports academically talented young people facing financial disadvantage through access to quality secondary and university education in Africa. The programme has provided financial, academic, social and leadership support to scholars in Ethiopia and Rwanda, with a particular focus on girls and young women.
Important: The source information provided states that this particular FAWE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program was scheduled to run until December 2025. Since it is now 2026, prospective applicants should verify with FAWE whether a new cohort or replacement programme is currently open before applying.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at FAWE
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is an education initiative implemented by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) through its national chapters in Ethiopia and Rwanda.
The programme was designed to provide academically talented but financially disadvantaged young people, particularly African students, with opportunities to access quality and relevant education.
Rather than providing academic funding alone, the programme was structured around a broader package of financial, social and academic support. Scholars could also receive assistance during their transition into post-secondary and post-graduate life.
The programme was supported by the Mastercard Foundation and formed part of a wider international network of educational institutions and nonprofit organisations working to use education as a driver of social and economic transformation.
Background & Scholarship Description
FAWE is a pan-African nonprofit organisation focused on advancing girls’ education, empowering women and contributing to stronger communities across Africa.
Through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, FAWE worked to support students who demonstrated academic potential but faced financial barriers to education.
The programme’s support was designed to help students obtain the knowledge and skills needed to improve their future livelihood opportunities and contribute to their families, communities and countries.
According to the supplied information, the programme received USD 17.38 million in funding from the Mastercard Foundation and was launched in August 2013 as a ten-year programme.
The source states that implementation took place through FAWE’s national chapters in Ethiopia and Rwanda.
FAWE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, the programme was implemented by FAWE Ethiopia and focused on secondary-school students.
The programme was designed to support 800 students, consisting of:
- 600 girls
- 200 boys
Students were supported throughout Grades 9 to 12.
The programme aimed to provide scholars with scholastic materials and empowerment support to help them access quality education and develop essential knowledge and skills.
Partner Schools and Locations
The programme was implemented through eight partner schools, both private and public.
The supplied source identifies four areas where the programme operated:
- Bahir Dar city in the Amhara region
- Adama city in the Oromia region
- Hawassa city in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region
- Marginalised areas of Addis Ababa city administration
These areas were selected because of significant gender disparities in education.
The information supplied states that the programme had reached 400 students at the time the source was published.
FAWE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in Rwanda
In Rwanda, FAWE implemented the Scholars Program with a stronger focus on supporting girls in secondary education.
The programme aimed to support 1,200 girls across three cohorts at the Senior Secondary 4 to 6 levels.
Support included:
- Scholastic materials
- Skills training
- Leadership development
- Counselling
- Mentoring
The programme was intended to help scholars develop the skills and confidence needed to pursue their educational and professional aspirations.
Transition to University
An important component of the Rwanda programme was the transition from secondary education to university.
According to the supplied information, approximately 70% of secondary scholars transitioning to university were expected to receive full or partial support from the programme.
Some scholars could also pursue full international scholarships through other Mastercard Foundation partner universities.
Who Was the Programme Designed For?
The programme was primarily intended for academically talented students facing financial disadvantage.
In Rwanda, the programme specifically focused on girls in secondary school.
The broader Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program model was based on the belief that talented young people should have opportunities to pursue quality education regardless of their financial circumstances.
FAWE’s implementation also placed emphasis on education as a tool for empowering girls and women and strengthening communities.
What Support Did Scholars Receive?
The exact package varied according to the country and programme structure.
Based on the supplied source, support could include:
Financial Support
The programme was designed to reduce financial barriers that could prevent disadvantaged students from accessing education.
Scholastic Materials
Students could receive educational materials needed to participate effectively in their studies.
Skills Development
The Rwanda programme included skills training intended to help scholars develop capabilities beyond their academic studies.
Leadership Development
Leadership development was another component, particularly for the girls participating in the Rwanda programme.
Counselling and Mentoring
Scholars in Rwanda could also receive counselling and mentoring to support their educational journey and personal development.
Post-Secondary Transition
The programme also sought to help scholars transition from secondary school into university and other opportunities.
Selection Process
The supplied information states that scholars in Rwanda were selected through a transparent process that promoted community participation and ownership.
However, the source provided does not give the complete current eligibility criteria, application dates, required documents or selection timetable.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that historical selection criteria remain applicable to a future cohort.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is described in the supplied source as an organisation working with partners to expand access to education, skills training and financial services for people living in poverty, with a particular focus on Africa.
The Foundation was established in 2006 by Mastercard as an independent entity and is based in Toronto, Canada.
Its work focuses on education, learning and financial inclusion with the broader goal of contributing to a more inclusive and equitable world.
Mastercard Foundation official website
About FAWE
The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) is a pan-African nonprofit organisation focused on advancing girls’ education and empowering women across Africa.
Its work is connected to the wider goal of reducing barriers to education and supporting women and girls to develop the skills and opportunities needed to contribute to their communities.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program represented one of the organisation’s education-focused initiatives in Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Important 2026 Application Notice
Applicants searching for the FAWE Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026 should exercise caution.
The information supplied for this article explicitly states that the programme runs until December 2025. That means the material does not establish that applications are currently open in 2026.
There is also no current 2026 application deadline, application form or new cohort information contained in the supplied source.
For this reason, applicants should verify directly with FAWE before submitting personal information or paying anyone claiming to offer access to the scholarship.
Do not rely on outdated social-media posts or third-party websites claiming that applications are open unless the opportunity can be confirmed through an official source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
It is a scholarship and education-support programme designed to provide academically talented but financially disadvantaged young people with access to quality education and broader academic and social support.
Did FAWE implement the programme?
Yes. The supplied information states that FAWE implemented the programme through its national chapters in Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Which countries were covered by the FAWE programme?
The source specifically identifies Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Did the programme support girls?
Yes. Girls were a major focus, particularly within the Rwanda programme, which aimed to support 1,200 girls in secondary school.
What support was available?
The source identifies scholastic materials, skills training, leadership development, counselling, mentoring and broader financial and academic support.
Is the FAWE Mastercard Foundation scholarship currently open in 2026?
The supplied information does not confirm a 2026 application cycle. In fact, it states that the programme ran until December 2025. Applicants should therefore verify whether FAWE has announced a new programme or cohort.
Final Thoughts
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at FAWE was an important education initiative supporting talented but financially disadvantaged young people in Africa.
Through its work in Ethiopia and Rwanda, the programme focused on improving access to quality education while providing scholars with additional academic, social, leadership and mentoring support.
Its strong emphasis on girls’ education and women’s empowerment also aligned with FAWE’s wider mission of advancing educational opportunities across Africa.
However, prospective applicants should pay close attention to the programme’s dates. The source provided for this article describes a programme that was scheduled to end in December 2025, so it should not be presented as a confirmed 2026 scholarship opening without an official announcement of a new cycle.
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