Mastercard Foundation PhD Scholarships at American University of Beirut – Spring 2026

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is now accepting applications for fully funded on-campus PhD scholarships at the American University of Beirut (AUB) for Spring 2026. This opportunity is open to nationals and refugees from Africa and aims to combine academic advancement with leadership development, civic engagement, and community impact.

Key Details & Available Fields

Application Deadline: November 6, 2025
Intake: Spring 2026

Eligible Doctoral Fields

• Theoretical Physics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Environmental & Water Resources Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Epidemiology

Note: The call for full master’s scholarships (both thesis and non-thesis) was previously open but is now closed (deadline was March 13, 2025).

Who Can Apply

Master’s Applicants

• Citizens of African countries or Lebanon
• Refugees residing in Africa or Lebanon

PhD Applicants

• Citizens of African nations
• Refugees living on the African continent

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Applicants must:

• Demonstrate strong academic performance in prior studies
• Exhibit clear potential beyond financial need
• Be committed to contributing to their communities, regions, or countries
• Show leadership qualities
• Be willing to participate in required learning experiences and workshops
• Be 35 years or younger
• Demonstrate readiness for academic work in English. Acceptable English tests include: AUB-EN Test, TOEFL iBT, IELTS (Academic), GRE Verbal, GMAT Verbal, or Duolingo English Test (DET)

Why This Scholarship Stands Out

This scholarship is more than funding—it’s a transformative platform for emerging scholars to elevate their research while actively engaging in leadership, service, and collaboration. Recipients receive full tuition coverage, a living stipend, accommodation support, access to leadership development and scholarly enrichment, and membership in a global community of Mastercard Foundation Scholars.

Application Process

• Submit a graduate application to AUB via their official portal.
• Under the “Financial Opportunities” section, choose the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
• (For master’s applicants) Complete the AUB Financial Aid application, which becomes available 1–3 business days after submitting the graduate application.
• Ensure both the graduate application and financial aid application are completed before the deadline.

Why Choose AUB & This Program

Based in Beirut, the American University of Beirut is a leading institution in the Middle East with strong academic credentials, interdisciplinary research opportunities, and a diverse, international student body. The scholarship aligns academic growth with social impact, preparing scholars to make meaningful contributions in Africa and beyond.

This PhD scholarship is a rare chance for academically and socially driven young leaders from Africa to advance their studies without financial constraints. If you are passionate about research, leadership, and meaningful impact, this program offers you the platform to do so.