Hey future public health leader! Ready to make a real impact on health in Africa? The University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Bursary 2026 is calling your name! This incredible opportunity is designed for bright, ambitious Sub-Saharan African students like you who dream of pursuing a doctoral degree in Public Health at a world-class institution in Canada. Let’s dive into how you can get your hands on this fully-funded bursary and transform your future!
The University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Bursary is a game-changer for students from Sub-Saharan African countries. It’s a fully funded doctoral scholarship program aimed at developing future leaders in public health who are committed to returning to and contributing to the social and economic development of their home countries in Africa. If you’ve got a passion for improving health outcomes and a drive to lead, this is definitely one to check out!
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for this amazing opportunity, make sure you tick these boxes:
- You must be a citizen and currently living in a Sub-Saharan African country.
- You need to have graduated from one of the Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. You can find their full list here.
- You shouldn’t have started any graduate studies at a doctoral level yet.
- You need to show off your academic excellence and leadership qualities from your undergraduate and master’s degrees.
- You must be academically eligible for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at the University of Toronto.
- You must genuinely want and commit to returning home for at least two years after completing the program to contribute to Africa’s ongoing growth and development.
What Does It Cover?
Get ready for some serious support! This bursary is super generous and aims to make your academic journey as smooth as possible:
- Full Financial Support: This isn’t just a partial grant; it’s comprehensive! It covers your tuition fees, travel expenses to Canada, housing, food, textbooks, and other essential living costs for the entire duration of your professional program.
- Comprehensive Support Network: Beyond the finances, you’ll also get access to a robust support system designed to ensure your academic success every step of the way.
- Orientation Sessions: You’ll get to participate in orientation sessions that will help you settle into life as a graduate student in Toronto and prepare you for a smooth transition back to your home country.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump in? Follow these steps carefully to ensure your application is considered:
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Step 1: Check Program Requirements. First things first, head over to the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health website and carefully review the admission requirements for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program: Doctor of Public Health Program.
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Step 2: Attend a Mandatory Info Session. This is CRUCIAL! To be eligible for this scholarship, you must register for and attend one of the virtual information sessions. The link to the actual scholarship application form will be shared during these sessions. Make sure you don’t miss out on these upcoming dates:
- Info Session 3: September 25th at 9-10:30 am EST | 1-2:30 pm GMT | 3-4:30 pm CAT | 4-5:30 pm EAT – Register Here
- Q&A Session (Optional): October 1st at 10-11 am EST | 2-3 pm GMT | 4-5 pm CAT | 5-6 pm EAT – Register Here
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Step 3: Complete Scholarship Application. Once you’ve attended an info session and received the link, complete the Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholarship application. The deadline for submission is October 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST (Toronto time). Successful applicants will be notified by November 1, 2025.
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Step 4: Apply to the DrPH Program. If you’re shortlisted for the Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholarship, you’ll then be invited to complete a separate program application to the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program from the University of Toronto. This program application is due by November 22, 2025. Please follow the specific instructions once you receive them.
For more detailed information, including partner universities and specific contact details, please visit the Official Webpage of the University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Scholarships.
This is an incredible chance to get fully funded for your doctoral studies and become a leader in public health! If the University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health Bursary sounds like your next big step, don’t delay – attend those info sessions and get your application ready! Explore more amazing bursaries right here on Bursaries Room to keep your funding journey going strong!
