Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University 2025/26

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the largest scholarship and leadership initiative of its kind in Africa, partnering with universities and NGOs to enhance higher education through inclusion, innovation, and collaboration .

McGill University, since 2013, has hosted 132 scholars from over 20 Sub‑Saharan African countries. The 2024–2034 phase continues welcoming graduate-level leaders eager to transform sectors like nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture .

🌍 A Holistic Scholar Experience

Aside from financial coverage, scholars gain an immersive, developmental experience including:

Pre-arrival & immigration support

Full tuition for international students

On-campus housing

Monthly stipend (food, transport, personal needs)

Academic resources (books, laptop, tutoring)

Leadership training, mentorship, professional development, career guidance

Post-graduation support (e.g., convocation regalia, return flight ticket) .

Eligibility Criteria

Prospective applicants must qualify academically for admission to McGill University and meet the following minimum criteria:

• Be admissible to one of the eligible programs at McGill University.
• Have NEVER registered for, nor completed a master’s degree.
• Be a citizen of and live in an African country (view eligible countries).
• 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.

Applicants with First Class Honors or equivalent have a stronger chance of being admitted.

Read Also: Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at ALU for Spring 2026 intake

Eligible Programs

All applicants, regardless of country of origin or educational background, must:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent as recognized by McGill University) in a subject closely related to the program selected for graduate studies.
2. Ensure your bachelor’s degree meets equivalency 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. 

To apply to a thesis program, the applicant must first apply to the McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. Prospective applicants must NOT reach out to supervisors or professors directly. Applicants selected for a fee waiver and applying to a thesis program will be contacted by our team with instructions on how to secure a supervisor.

Non-Thesis Programs

• Animal Science: Sustainable Agriculture
• Bioresource Engineering – Environmental Engineering
• Bioresource Engineering – Integrated Food & Bioprocessing
• Bioresource Engineering – Integrated Water Resource Management
• Biostatistics
• Biotechnology
• Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry – Food Science
• Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry – Food Safety
• Human Nutrition: Project
• Public Health
• Public Policy

Thesis Programs

• Animal Science
• Bioresource Engineering 

Eligible Countries

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University is open to citizens and residents of all countries on the African continent.

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.

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)

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.