2026 McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
📖 About McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the largest scholarship and leadership initiative of its kind in Africa. Operating through a Pan-African and global network of universities and non-governmental organizations, the program aims to strengthen the higher education ecosystem by encouraging inclusion, accessibility, innovation in teaching and learning, as well as research and collaboration across critical sectors and stakeholders.
Since 2013, McGill University has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, supporting and empowering 132 Scholars from over 20 African countries. The program focuses on welcoming gifted leaders and changemakers aspiring to improve and transform nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture across Africa.
The scholarship is more than just financial support—it is an immersive experience designed to empower Scholars through mentorship, leadership training, tutoring, experiential learning opportunities, professional development, and career support.
🎁 Benefits of the Program
The scholarship includes:
- Pre-arrival and immigration support
- Full international student tuition
- On-campus housing
- Personal monthly stipend (for food, personal expenses, transportation, etc.)
- Academic tools and resources (book allowance, laptop, tutoring, etc.)
- Tailored leadership and professional development program
- Post-graduation transition expenses (e.g., convocation regalia, return flight, etc.)
✅ 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 or 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.
- Show 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.
🎓 Eligible Programs
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
🌍 Eligible Countries
The program is open to citizens and residents of all countries on the African continent, including:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros
- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Congo (Republic)
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
📅 Application Date and Process
Application Deadline
31 August, 2025
Steps to Apply
- Determine your eligibility.
- Register and attend one of the five information sessions to receive the link to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form.
- Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form.
- Once your application is pre-screened, provide additional documentation as requested by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team.
- 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.
Note: 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.
🔗 Additional Information
For more details, visit the McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Apply now through the application portal.
- Pre-arrival and immigration support
- Full international student tuition
- On-campus housing
- Personal monthly stipend (food, personal expenses, transportation, etc.)
- Academic tools and resources (book allowance, laptop, tutoring, etc.)
- A tailored leadership and professional development program
- Post-graduation transition expenses (ex. convocation regalia, return flight, etc.)
