Program Description
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University aims to bring together gifted leaders and changemakers from across Africa at the master’s level who aspire to improve and transform nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture across the African continent. There are 35 scholarships available every year across 13 graduate programs.
Eligibility Criteria
Prospective applicants must qualify academically for admission to McGill University and meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be admissible to one of the graduate programs at McGill University.
- Have NEVER registered for, nor completed a master’s degree.
- Be a citizen of and live in an African country.
- Have a valid passport and be admissible to Canada as an international student (requiring a Study Permit). Those with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee, or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK or EU are not eligible.
- Have an exceptional record of service, leadership, and activity in your school and/or community.
- Demonstrate a desire to give back to your home community.
- Demonstrate that financial constraints have prevented or restricted your educational opportunities.
- Be 35 years or younger at the time of application.
- Priority will be given to:
- Women;
- People affected by forced displacement (asylum seekers, internally displaced people, refugees and returnees, etc.);
- People living with a disability;
Applicants with First Class Honors or an equivalent have a stronger chance of admission to McGill University.
Eligible Programs
All applicants, regardless of country of origin or educational background, must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent as recognized by McGill University) in a subject closely related to the program selected for graduate studies.
- Ensure your bachelor’s degree meets the minimum graduate admissions requirements. Applicants with First Class Honors or equivalent have a stronger chance of being admitted.
Meeting the minimum graduate admissions requirements does not guarantee eligibility for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program or admission to McGill University. Consult each program page for any additional requirements.
Benefits
The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is comprehensive and it covers not only full tuition but all costs related to attending McGill University. That includes:
- Pre-arrival and immigration support
- Full international student tuition
- On-campus housing
- Personal monthly stipend
- Academic tools and resources
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 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)
Application Process
The application process is as follows:
- June 23– July 15, 2026: Prospective applicants must attend a mandatory info session to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process.
- August 3, 2026 (9:00 a.m. EST): Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications open.
- August 21, 2026 (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 – November 2026: Only successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to move on to the McGill University application for admission stage.
- December 1, 2026: Application deadline for candidates who received a fee waiver.
- Early to mid-February 2027: Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their admission decision to McGill.
- Mid-February – beginning of March 2027: The McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients.
Grant Atlas