FAWE Ghana Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways 2026 | Third Cohort Application

The FAWE Ghana Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways Programme 2026 is inviting applications for its third cohort, providing marginalized young women and men in Ghana with opportunities to access tertiary education, TVET and STEM programmes.

The programme is part of the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II: Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men, a seven-year initiative running from 2024 to 2030 across 10 African countries. The wider programme aims to support 10,550 young people aged 15–25, with particular attention to young people with disabilities and refugees.

FAWE Ghana’s latest announcement calls on eligible young people to apply for the third cohort. The application form is free of charge and is available through the FAWE Ghana website.

FAWE Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Ghana 2026 – Quick Details

What Is the FAWE Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways Programme?

The Second Chance Pathways Programme is a major education initiative implemented by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

The programme is designed to help young people from marginalized communities overcome barriers that prevent them from progressing from secondary education into tertiary education and employment.

The programme focuses particularly on young people who face economic, geographic, social or other barriers to higher education.

Across Africa, the programme is being implemented in:

• Ghana
• Uganda
• Rwanda
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Liberia
• Tanzania
• Zimbabwe
• Ethiopia
• Senegal

The seven-year programme runs from 2024 to 2030.

Who Is the Programme For?

The programme focuses on marginalized young women and men, particularly those who have completed secondary education but face barriers to accessing tertiary education.

The wider FAWE programme specifically focuses on young people aged 15–25, including young people with:

• Disabilities
• Refugee backgrounds
• Economic disadvantages
• Rural or underserved backgrounds

The programme aims to create pathways into tertiary education and eventually into employment, entrepreneurship and dignified work.

Focus on Young Women

Gender equality is a central component of FAWE’s work.

FAWE is a pan-African organization dedicated to advancing gender-responsive education and increasing opportunities for African girls and young women.

The Second Chance Pathways initiative therefore places particular emphasis on removing barriers that prevent young women from accessing higher education and STEM opportunities.

What Opportunities Does the Programme Provide?

The programme combines different forms of educational and transition support.

1. Tertiary Education Access

The initiative helps marginalized secondary-school graduates transition into tertiary education.

2. TVET Opportunities

Technical and Vocational Education and Training is an important component of the programme.

TVET can provide young people with practical skills that are directly relevant to employment and entrepreneurship.

3. STEM Education

The programme also promotes access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

4. Bridging Programmes

Some academically capable young people face barriers because they are not adequately prepared for university-level study.

Bridging programmes are designed to help address these preparation gaps and provide a second pathway into tertiary education.

5. Mentorship

The wider programme includes support services such as mentorship and life-skills development to help participants succeed in tertiary education.

6. Employment and Entrepreneurship

The programme does not focus only on education.

It aims to create pathways from education and skills development into employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Why Is It Called a “Second Chance” Programme?

Many young people complete secondary education but cannot immediately progress to higher education because of financial, academic, geographic or social barriers.

The Second Chance Pathways initiative is designed to provide alternative routes for these young people.

The programme therefore seeks to bridge the gap between:

Secondary Education → Bridging/Skills Development → Tertiary Education → Employment or Entrepreneurship

This approach is intended to make higher education more accessible to young people who might otherwise be left behind.

FAWE Ghana Third Cohort 2026

The latest FAWE Ghana announcement is specifically inviting applications for the third cohort of the Second Chance Pathways programme.

The Ghana programme forms part of the wider FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II initiative.

Previous implementation in Ghana has included support for students from regions including:

• Volta
• Oti
• North East
• Northern
• Savannah
• Upper East
• Upper West

FAWE Ghana previously reported that 200 students benefited during the 2024/2025 academic year, with additional cohorts planned for subsequent academic years.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This opportunity may be particularly relevant to young people in Ghana who:

• Have completed secondary education
• Come from marginalized or economically disadvantaged backgrounds
• Want to pursue tertiary education
• Are interested in TVET
• Are interested in STEM
• Have faced barriers to university or tertiary education
• Are young women seeking greater access to education
• Are persons with disabilities
• Come from refugee backgrounds
• Want to develop skills for employment or entrepreneurship

Applicants must, however, meet the specific Ghana cohort eligibility requirements published by FAWE Ghana.

Is the FAWE Ghana Application Free?

Yes.

FAWE Ghana specifically states that the application forms for this call are FREE OF CHARGE.

Applicants should be cautious of anyone asking for money in exchange for the official application form or claiming to guarantee selection.

How to Apply for FAWE Ghana Second Chance Pathways 2026

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the Official FAWE Ghana Website

Go to the FAWE Ghana website and locate the current Second Chance Pathways application announcement.

Step 2: Review the Eligibility Requirements

Carefully check the Ghana-specific requirements before completing the application.

Step 3: Complete the Online Form

Fill in the official application form with accurate personal, academic and background information.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Submit the completed form according to the instructions provided by FAWE Ghana.

Step 5: Keep Your Confirmation

Save any application confirmation or reference information provided after submission.

What Is the Mastercard Foundation’s Role?

The Mastercard Foundation is a major partner supporting FAWE’s Second Chance Pathways programme.

The partnership supports initiatives designed to increase access to education, skills development and pathways to work for marginalized young people across Africa.

The Phase II programme is aligned with the broader objective of helping young people, particularly young women, access dignified and fulfilling work.

How Many Young People Will Benefit?

The wider seven-year FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II programme aims to support 10,550 marginalized young people aged 15–25 across 10 African countries.

The programme also has broader objectives related to skills development, tertiary education access, youth-led businesses and employment transitions. FAWE’s baseline documentation identifies a target of supporting 1,240 youth-led businesses as part of the wider programme objectives.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

The programme is different from a conventional scholarship because it takes a broader approach to education and employment.

It combines:

• Education access
• Bridging programmes
• TVET
• STEM
• Mentorship
• Life skills
• Employability
• Entrepreneurship
• Transition to work

This makes it particularly relevant for young people who need both educational access and support for the transition into the workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAWE Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways Programme?

It is a seven-year programme designed to help marginalized young women and men transition from secondary education into tertiary education and eventually employment or entrepreneurship.

Who implements the programme?

The programme is implemented by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Is the programme available in Ghana?

Yes. Ghana is one of the 10 African countries participating in the Phase II programme.

Who is the target age group?

The wider programme targets young people aged 15–25 years. Specific cohort requirements in Ghana should be checked in the current application announcement.

Can young women apply?

Yes. Increasing access to education for young women is a major focus of FAWE’s work and the programme.

Can young men apply?

Yes. The programme is designed for marginalized young women and men.

Does the programme support STEM?

Yes. STEM education is one of the programme’s important focus areas, alongside TVET and tertiary education access.

Does it support TVET?

Yes. The Ghana implementation includes a focus on TVET and STEM pathways.

Is the application free?

Yes. FAWE Ghana states that its application forms are free of charge.

Is this programme only for university students?

No. The programme is designed to help young people transition into tertiary education, including TVET and STEM pathways, rather than only supporting people who are already enrolled at university.

What countries are included in the wider programme?

The Phase II programme operates in Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, Liberia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Senegal.

Important Note for Applicants

Applicants should use only official FAWE Ghana channels when submitting their application.

The official announcement states that application forms are free. Do not pay an individual or unofficial agent claiming to provide access to the programme.

Applicants should also check the current Ghana announcement for the exact deadline, eligible regions, academic requirements, documents and selection criteria, as these details can vary by cohort.

Conclusion

The FAWE Ghana Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways 2026 offers an important opportunity for marginalized young people seeking a pathway into tertiary education, particularly in TVET and STEM.

The initiative is part of a larger seven-year FAWE/Mastercard Foundation programme running from 2024 to 2030 across 10 African countries, with a focus on young people aged 15–25, including young women, persons with disabilities and refugees.

For young people in Ghana who have completed secondary education but face barriers to higher education, the programme can provide a valuable second chance to access tertiary education, develop skills and progress toward employment or entrepreneurship.

Programme: FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways
Country: Ghana
Cohort: Third Cohort
Target: Marginalized young women and men
Age Focus: 15–25 years under the wider programme
Focus: Tertiary Education, TVET and STEM
Application Fee: Free
Programme Period: 2024–2030
Official Website: FAWE Ghana
Application: Online
Deadline: Check the official Ghana application announcement