This initiative, built around the example of multiple successful university transition and support organizations, leads a new approach to scholarship implementation. MCFSP-ALA employs a “matching model,” recruiting scholars from renowned organizations across the African continent and pairing them with suitable partner universities. The model is designed to prepare scholars from disadvantaged backgrounds to drive social and economic change in Africa by connecting promising young leaders to prestigious universities and providing sustained, holistic support throughout their tertiary education and beyond.

By establishing relationships with recruiting organizations such as high schools and education-focused NGOs, our model identifies high-achieving, low-income students from Sub-Saharan Africa, asking these partners to nominate candidates. Following nomination, the MCFSP selection committee undertakes a rigorous selection process, which includes an evaluation of past academic performance, written applications, recommendations, and interviews. The committee then matches selected scholars with the partner universities best suited to their academic, personal, and professional goals.

To date, MCFSP supports over 160 scholars enrolled at 13 partner universities in Africa, Europe, and North America, with an additional 45 joining the program in July 2018. We recruit these students from twelve recruiting partners located throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.