The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University has announced its 2025-2034 scholarship cycle, offering a transformative opportunity for talented African students to pursue master's degrees in Canada. As the largest scholarship and leadership initiative of its kind in Africa, this program aims to strengthen higher education by promoting inclusion, innovation in teaching and learning, research, and cross-sector collaboration.
About the Scholarship
The program targets gifted leaders and changemakers from across Sub-Saharan Africa who aspire to improve and transform nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture across the continent. Selected scholars will receive comprehensive support to study at McGill University, one of Canada's premier educational institutions.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this prestigious scholarship, applicants must:
Be academically 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 reside in an African country
Hold a valid passport and be admissible to Canada as an international student (requiring a Study Permit)
Demonstrate an exceptional record of service, leadership, and community involvement
Show a clear desire to give back to your home community
Be under 35 years old at the time of application
Note: Applicants with First Class Honors or equivalent qualifications have a stronger chance of admission. Those with dual citizenship, asylee, refugee, or permanent resident status in the US, Canada, UK, or EU are not eligible.
Eligible Programs
The scholarship covers both thesis and non-thesis programs in various fields:
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
Important: For thesis programs, applicants must apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship first and should NOT reach out to supervisors or professors directly. Selected candidates will be contacted regarding the process to obtain a supervisor.
Eligible Countries
The scholarship is open to citizens and residents of all African countries, 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, and Zimbabwe.
Application Process
The application process involves several steps:
Determine your eligibility based on the criteria above
Register and attend one of the five information sessions to receive the link to the application form
Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form
If pre-screened successfully, provide additional documentation as requested
Successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to apply to McGill University with a fee waiver
Note: You must apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program first. Only after successful pre-screening will you be invited to apply to your chosen program through the McGill admissions process.
Application Timeline
Date | Action |
|---|---|
July 3 – July 28, 2025 | Attend a virtual info session |
August 4, 2025 (9:00 a.m. EST) | Applications open |
August 31, 2025 (4:00 p.m. EST) | Applications close |
September 1 – December 10, 2025 | Pre-screened applicants invited to apply to McGill |
December 1, 2025 | Application deadline for Public Health and Biostatistics |
January 15, 2025 | Application deadline for all other programs |
Early to mid-February 2025 | Admission decisions announced |
Mid-February – end of March 2025 | Scholarship recipients selected |
Please note that the timeline may change depending on the volume of applications received.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
Academic merit qualifying 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
Potential impact on the development of the applicant's home country
Evidence of having faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related)
Apply Now
This is a life-changing opportunity for African students looking to make a difference in their communities. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program not only provides financial support but also equips scholars with leadership skills and networks to drive positive change across the continent.
Warning: This is the official information about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University. Any application information housed on a non-mcgill.ca website may be fraudulent.
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