Application Period: August 4–31, 2025
Location: McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Program Type: Fully funded graduate study
Target Group: Academically strong, socially committed African students who have faced significant educational barriers
Program Overview
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University offers fully funded master’s-level education to exceptional students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The program is committed to developing transformative leaders who will contribute to sustainable development and inclusive growth in their communities and countries.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Demonstrate academic excellence and meet McGill’s graduate program admission standards.
- Show a proven track record of leadership and community service.
- Have faced significant barriers to education, whether financial, social, personal, or health-related.
- Not have already started or completed a graduate degree.
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 |
Note: Only candidates who are successful at the pre-screening stage will be invited to apply to McGill. Applications submitted directly to McGill without being pre-screened will not be considered.
How to Apply
- Attend one of the mandatory virtual information sessions held between July 3 and July 28, 2025.
- Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application form (available after attending an info session).
- If shortlisted, submit additional documentation and receive instructions to apply to McGill University with a fee waiver.
- Apply to the relevant graduate program at McGill University.
- Wait for final selection decisions from the McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Committee.
Selection Criteria
- Academic merit and eligibility for McGill graduate programs
- Evidence of leadership and service in community
- Demonstrated alignment with Mastercard Foundation values
- Potential for positive social impact in the applicant’s country or region
- Experience overcoming significant barriers to education
Additional Information
For more details and to register for an information session, visit McGill Mastercard Scholars official webpage.
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the awarding organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
