McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026 for study in Canada (Fully Funded)

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Application Deadline: August 31, 2025

Applications are now open for the 2026 McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. 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 11 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 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. 

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 

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
   

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.

Application Timeline:

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the McGill University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program