Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University(Fully-funded scholarship to Canada)

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the largest scholarship and leadership initiative of its kind in Africa. Through a broad network of Pan-African and global partnerships with universities and NGOs, this program is committed to strengthening the higher education ecosystem by promoting inclusion, accessibility, innovation, and collaboration across various sectors.

Since 2013, McGill University has proudly partnered with the Mastercard Foundation, supporting and empowering 132 Mastercard Foundation Scholars from more than 20 Sub-Saharan African nations. As we enter 2024, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill is launching its second phase, continuing to welcome talented leaders who are passionate about transforming nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture across Africa.

A Holistic Experience for Scholars

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program offers more than financial support; it provides a transformative educational experience. In addition to covering tuition and living expenses, Scholars benefit from mentorship, leadership training, experiential learning, professional development, and career guidance. Scholars are also integrated into McGill’s academic ecosystem, positioning them to thrive both in their studies and beyond, as future leaders equipped to make a positive impact across Africa.

What the Scholarship Includes:

• Pre-arrival and immigration support
• Full international student tuition coverage
• On-campus housing
• Monthly stipend for personal expenses (food, transportation, etc.)
• Academic resources (book allowance, laptop, tutoring)
• Tailored leadership and professional development program
• Post-graduation transition support (e.g., convocation regalia, return flight)

Eligibility

The program is open to graduate-level leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, who aspire to drive change in critical sectors such as public health, nutrition, public policy, and sustainable agriculture.

How to Apply

1. Determine your eligibility.
2. Register and attend one of the five information sessions to receive the link to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
3. Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form*.
4. Once your application is pre-screened, provide additional documentation as requested by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team.
5. Successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to apply to McGill University. Successful applicants will receive a fee waiver and detailed instructions on how to apply for admission to McGill.

*You must apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program first. Only once you have been successfully pre-screened will you be invited to apply to your chosen program of study through the McGill admissions process.

The Program will not accept applications submitted outside the set application process. Applicants who have previously applied to McGill University and deferred their offer of admission will have to reapply to the scholarship to be considered.

Next Steps

Application Timeline

Please note that the application timeline is subject to change depending on the volume of applications received.

Date	Action
July 3 – July 28, 2025,	Prospective applicants should attend a virtual info session to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process.
August 4, 2025 (9:00 a.m. EST)	Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications open.
August 31, 2025 (4:00 p.m. EST)	Applications close. All applicants must have completed the first stage of the application and eligibility assessment. Applications will not be accepted beyond this date.
September 1 – *December 10, 2025	Only successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to move on to the McGill University application for admission stage. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified. *Public Health and Biostatistics applicants will be notified by November 15th
December 1, 2025	Application deadline for programs in Public Health and Biostatistics.
January 15, 2025	Application deadline for all other programs.
Early to mid-February 2025	Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their admission decision to McGill.
Mid-February – end of March 2025	The McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients.

Selection Process

The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admission to McGill University.
• Track record as a transformative leader and person of service within their community.
• Quality of application in line with the Mastercard Foundation ethos and values of the McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill.
• Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
• Applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related)

 

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Questions?

Please consult our FAQs

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This is the official website of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University. Any application information housed on a non- mcgill.ca website may be fraudulent.