The McGill University, Canada is partnering with the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MFSP) to offer Masters Scholarships to eligible African students for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Application Deadlines:
- Applications close: 31st August 2025
- See other deadlines/timelines below
Application Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| July 3–28, 2025 | Attend a mandatory virtual information session |
| August 4, 2025 | Program application opens |
| August 31, 2025 (4:00 p.m. EST) | Program application closes |
| September–December 2025 | Pre-screened applicants apply to McGill |
| December 1, 2025 | Application deadline for Public Health and Biostatistics |
| January 15, 2026 | Deadline for all other graduate programs |
| February–March 2026 | Notification of scholarship recipients |
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan African countries
To be taken at (country): McGill University Canada
About Scholarship: McGill University and The Mastercard Foundation are pleased to offer full scholarships to economically challenged, academically gifted Master’s students from Sub-Saharan Africa through The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada.
Watch Tutorial: How to Apply to Win the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship program is designed to sponsor outstanding, community engaged students to attend university who otherwise would not have the opportunity, thereby, fostering the development of future Sub-Saharan African leaders and entrepreneurs.
In addition to financial support, Scholars are provided with a comprehensive support network that includes an array of mentoring and support services to ensure each student’s academic success community service engagement and transition to socially relevant employment opportunities, when they return to Africa at the conclusion of their studies.
Offered Since: 2013
Type: Masters ((non-thesis)
Eligibility:
- 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 a Sub-Saharan 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.
- Must be less than 35 years old at the time of application.
Applicants with First Class Honors or equivalent have a stronger chance of being admitted.
How are Applicants Selected? 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).
Number of Scholarships: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: The MasterCard Foundation Scholars at McGill will receive a holistic set of financial, social, and academic supports throughout their education and during their post-graduate transitions.
Duration of Scholarship: 2 years
How 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.
*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.
Visit Scholarship Webpage for Details
Important Note: This application is for MASTER’s (non-thesis) applicants only.
