The RUFORUM–Mastercard Foundation TAGDev (Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development) Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity for young Africans passionate about agriculture, rural transformation, and community-led development. For the 2025 intake, this prestigious scholarship continues its mission to empower academically talented but economically disadvantaged students from across Africa to pursue undergraduate and master’s studies in key development disciplines. Administered through the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the TAGDev program targets future changemakers who are committed to using higher education to address pressing challenges in food security, climate resilience, youth unemployment, and sustainable agriculture. Through its unique community-focused and entrepreneurship-driven design, the scholarship offers more than financial support—it’s a platform for nurturing a new generation of African leaders, thinkers, and problem-solvers. This article provides an in-depth guide to the RUFORUM–Mastercard Foundation TAGDev Scholarship 2025, including its objectives, benefits, partner universities, eligible fields, application procedures, and strategic tips to secure your place among Africa’s future development champions
About RUFORUM and the Mastercard Foundation Partnership
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is a network of 163 African universities in 40 countries focused on advancing agricultural research, training, and innovation. RUFORUM has long been instrumental in building Africa’s capacity for rural development through higher education. The Mastercard Foundation, based in Canada, is a global organization dedicated to creating dignified employment opportunities and reducing poverty across the developing world. Its partnership with RUFORUM through the TAGDev initiative represents a bold step toward strengthening Africa’s agricultural education system. Since its launch, the TAGDev program has successfully funded hundreds of scholars, supported entrepreneurial youth initiatives, and fostered impactful research projects across East, Central, and West Africa. The 2025 scholarship round continues this legacy, offering new opportunities to students who aspire to transform their communities through innovation, leadership, and sustainable practice
Scholarship Goals and Objectives
The TAGDev Scholarship was established to address three major barriers facing youth in Africa: access to quality education, employability after graduation, and lack of inclusive economic opportunities in rural areas. The program has several key objectives: provide fully funded access to higher education for underprivileged but capable youth from across Africa, build the capacity of African universities to deliver transformative education and research in agriculture and development, develop a new generation of African leaders equipped with practical knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and a strong sense of social responsibility, promote community engagement and experiential learning through internships, fieldwork, and outreach programs, foster innovations that contribute to food security, job creation, climate resilience, and sustainable development across rural regions. The program seeks to close the gap between academia and real-world problems, turning universities into engines for local change
What the TAGDev Scholarship Covers
The RUFORUM–Mastercard Foundation TAGDev Scholarship is a comprehensive and fully funded award that eliminates financial barriers to education. Selected scholars receive: full coverage of tuition fees for the entire duration of their undergraduate or master’s program, a monthly stipend for living expenses including food, housing, and transport, learning materials allowance including textbooks and technology support (laptops, internet), health insurance coverage, academic and leadership mentorship throughout the study period, research funding for thesis or capstone projects aligned with community development, internship placement and experiential learning support, entrepreneurship training and seed capital for student-led initiatives. In addition to the financial package, students benefit from soft skills training, professional development programs, peer networking, and alumni mentorship. Scholars are also exposed to opportunities for regional and global exchange, conferences, and post-graduate advancement
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The TAGDev scholarship targets academically gifted yet financially disadvantaged youth from African countries who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to serving their communities. To be eligible for the 2025 cycle, applicants must meet the following requirements: be a citizen of any African country, be under the age of 25 for undergraduate programs and under 30 for master’s programs at the time of application, have completed secondary school (for undergraduates) or a recognized undergraduate degree (for master’s applicants), demonstrate financial need and provide supporting evidence of economic disadvantage, meet the minimum academic requirements for the desired program at one of the TAGDev partner universities, show strong motivation to contribute to agriculture, food systems, entrepreneurship, or rural transformation, be willing to participate in community service and outreach initiatives during the course of study. Special consideration is given to applicants from marginalized backgrounds, rural communities, and conflict-affected regions. Gender balance and inclusivity of students with disabilities are also prioritized in the selection process
Partner Universities Offering the TAGDev Scholarship
The TAGDev program operates in partnership with select African universities that have demonstrated excellence in agricultural training and community-engaged research. For the 2025 scholarship, the partner universities include: Egerton University, Kenya—a leader in agricultural sciences, environmental studies, and agribusiness, Gulu University, Uganda—renowned for rural development studies, peacebuilding, and community-based education. Additional RUFORUM-affiliated universities may also be considered depending on funding and program focus. Students must apply directly to one of the partner universities to be considered for the scholarship. Each institution offers specialized programs in fields such as agronomy, animal sciences, agribusiness, rural development, agricultural engineering, food technology, and environmental studies
Fields of Study Covered by the Scholarship
The TAGDev scholarship supports degree programs that align with the Mastercard Foundation’s vision for rural transformation and inclusive development. Eligible fields of study include: Agriculture and Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, Rural Development and Community Engagement, Animal Production and Livestock Management, Environmental and Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization, Food Science and Nutrition, Climate Change and Sustainable Land Use, Water and Irrigation Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Agriculture. The selected programs combine classroom learning with fieldwork, internships, and problem-based approaches to ensure that students graduate with both academic credentials and real-world competencies
Application Process for the 2025 TAGDev Scholarship
The application process for the RUFORUM–Mastercard Foundation TAGDev Scholarship is rigorous and involves multiple steps to ensure transparency, equity, and merit-based selection. Here is a step-by-step guide: Step 1: Research and select a partner university (e.g., Egerton or Gulu University) and identify an eligible program of study. Step 2: Prepare your admission documents including academic transcripts, certificates, personal ID, and English proficiency (if required). Step 3: Apply for admission to the university program through the institution’s official portal. Step 4: Once you receive an admission letter or confirmation, download the TAGDev scholarship application form from the RUFORUM website. Step 5: Fill out the scholarship form carefully and attach required documents including: recent passport-sized photo, copies of academic qualifications, recommendation letters (2–3), a motivation letter or essay explaining your background, goals, and community vision, proof of financial need, and disability certification (if applicable). Step 6: Submit the complete scholarship application to the email or address indicated in the call for applications before the stated deadline. Step 7: Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews or further assessments. Step 8: Final selection results are announced via email or university portals. Successful applicants will receive detailed onboarding instructions, pre-departure support, and orientation training
Key Dates and Deadlines for 2025
Exact dates vary slightly by institution and year, but here’s the typical timeline for the TAGDev 2025 intake: July–August 2024: Official call for applications released by RUFORUM and partner universities, August–September 2024: Application period for both university admission and scholarship submission, October 2024: Review and shortlisting of candidates, November–December 2024: Interviews and final selection, January–February 2025: Onboarding, visa support, and university registration. Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early to avoid missing deadlines, especially since university admission must be secured before scholarship consideration
Selection Criteria and What Reviewers Look For
The TAGDev scholarship committee evaluates applicants based on a holistic set of criteria that include: academic performance and readiness to succeed in higher education, clear demonstration of financial need and inability to self-fund, strong leadership potential and involvement in school or community activities, clarity of purpose and motivation to address rural and agricultural challenges, alignment of proposed study with community development and transformation goals, gender balance, disability inclusion, and regional representation, recommendations and endorsements from teachers, mentors, or local leaders. Candidates are expected to show more than just academic excellence—they must also demonstrate passion, purpose, and the potential for long-term impact
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
The TAGDev scholarship experience extends beyond lectures and exams. Scholars are immersed in practical, transformative programs that include: internships with community-based organizations, agribusinesses, or government agencies, participation in innovation labs and business incubation programs, outreach activities such as community training, farm extension, and climate education, entrepreneurship coaching, proposal writing workshops, and grant competitions, exposure visits and regional summits for peer learning and knowledge sharing, leadership and soft skills training including public speaking, teamwork, and ethics. Scholars are equipped to return to their home communities as empowered agents of change, capable of launching businesses, creating jobs, or influencing policy reform
Career Outcomes and Alumni Impact
Graduates of the TAGDev scholarship program have gone on to impactful careers in diverse sectors, including: sustainable agriculture and agribusiness startups, nonprofit organizations focused on food security and youth empowerment, government ministries and extension services, research institutions and think tanks, international development agencies and donor-funded projects, university faculty positions and academic careers. Many alumni have launched their own enterprises, employed other youth, and led community initiatives in areas such as post-harvest management, climate resilience, and rural financing. The TAGDev network continues to support alumni through mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities even after graduation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I apply if I am already studying at a university? No. The scholarship targets new undergraduate and master’s students who are not currently enrolled in higher education. Is there an age limit for applicants? Yes. Undergraduate applicants must be under 25, and master’s applicants under 30 at the time of application. Can I choose any African university? No. You must apply to one of the designated TAGDev partner universities such as Egerton University or Gulu University. Do I need to write an entrance exam? No standard entrance exam is required, but some programs may conduct interviews or additional assessments. Can the scholarship be renewed annually? Yes. It covers the entire duration of your degree program as long as academic progress is maintained
Conclusion: A Life-Changing Gateway to Education and Impact
The RUFORUM–Mastercard Foundation TAGDev Scholarship 2025 is more than a financial award—it’s a comprehensive journey of learning, transformation, and empowerment. It offers young Africans the chance to access world-class education in agriculture and development-related fields while staying rooted in their communities’ realities. Through leadership development, hands-on experience, and mentorship, TAGDev scholars become catalysts for change—building food systems, growing rural economies, and solving local challenges with global relevance. If you have the passion to serve, the talent to grow, and the vision to lead, this scholarship could be your opportunity of a lifetime. Start preparing now, follow the guidelines carefully, and take the bold step toward a brighter future for yourself and for Africa