FAMReports Opportunity Desk | August 2025
McGill University in Montreal, Canada, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is inviting applications for its Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, spanning 2024 to 2034. The program is designed to empower Sub-Saharan Africa’s most talented graduate students to pursue master’s level education while equipping them to drive meaningful social, economic, and environmental change in their communities.
This fully funded scholarship initiative focuses on nurturing visionary leaders in four high-impact sectors: nutrition, public health, public policy, and sustainable agriculture. Beyond academic excellence, scholars gain access to leadership development, applied research opportunities, and mentorship networks that prepare them to return home as changemakers.
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the largest of its kind in Africa, combining education, leadership training, and social impact initiatives. Its mission is to build a critical mass of ethical, entrepreneurial, and transformative leaders who can address Africa’s pressing challenges while fostering equity and inclusion.
Over the ten-year period from 2024 to 2034, the program at McGill will provide a platform for systemic change, supporting scholars to develop interdisciplinary knowledge, collaborate across sectors, and translate ideas into action.
Program Mission Highlights:
Expand higher education access for underrepresented and marginalized communities
Strengthen research capacity in health, agriculture, governance, and public policy
Provide leadership training to cultivate long-term societal impact
Encourage collaboration between universities, governments, civil society, and industry
Why McGill University?
McGill University is globally recognized for academic excellence, research innovation, and a commitment to sustainability and the public good. Scholars at McGill benefit from:
Access to cutting-edge research facilities and laboratories
Connections with global networks in public policy, health systems, and food security
Diverse and inclusive academic environments promoting intercultural learning
Strong mentorship and professional development opportunities
This combination ensures that scholars not only excel academically but also gain the skills to tackle complex challenges in Africa.
Key Focus Areas
1. Nutrition
Scholars engage in interdisciplinary research to improve food systems, combat malnutrition, and implement community-level interventions that enhance nutritional outcomes.
2. Public Health
Students explore strategies to strengthen health systems, improve healthcare delivery, and develop policies that reduce disparities across populations.
3. Public Policy
The program equips students to design and implement evidence-based policies fostering equitable development in governance, education, and social sectors.
4. Sustainable Agriculture
Scholars gain expertise in agroecology, food security, and climate-resilient farming systems, enhancing livelihoods and ecosystem sustainability across Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill is open to graduate-level applicants who:
Are citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country
Have an excellent academic record and demonstrated leadership potential
Show a commitment to giving back and creating positive social change
Aspire to transform key sectors in their communities, including health, agriculture, and public policy
Candidates from marginalized or underrepresented communities—including women, refugees, and persons with disabilities—are strongly encouraged to apply.
Scholarship Benefits
The program provides a fully funded scholarship, covering:
Full tuition and academic fees
Living expenses including housing, meals, and health insurance
Travel support to and from Canada
Laptop and research support
Leadership development programs and community-based project involvement
Continuous mentorship and career guidance throughout and after the program
This comprehensive support ensures that scholars can focus on both academic excellence and leadership development without financial constraints.
Leadership and Lifelong Impact
What sets the McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program apart is its focus on long-term leadership development. Scholars participate in:
Leadership seminars and skill-building workshops
Internships and applied research linked to their home communities
Return-to-home strategies to apply knowledge to real-world challenges
Alumni networks and collaboration platforms that sustain impact beyond graduation
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By integrating academic rigor with practical leadership experiences, the program prepares scholars to become values-driven changemakers who can contribute to Africa’s sustainable development.
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.
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*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.
Application Timeline
| Date | Action |
| July 3 – July 28, 2025, | Prospective applicants should attend a virtual info session to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process. |
| August 4, 2025 (9:00 a.m. EST) | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications open. |
| August 31, 2025 (4:00 p.m. EST) | Applications close. All applicants must have completed the first stage of the application and eligibility assessment. Applications will not be accepted beyond this date. |
| September 1 – *December 10, 2025 | Only successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to move on to the McGill University application for admission stage. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified. *Public Health and Biostatistics applicants will be notified by November 15th |
| December 1, 2025 | Application deadline for programs in Public Health and Biostatistics. |
| January 15, 2025 | Application deadline for all other programs. |
| Early to mid-February 2025 | Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their admission decision to McGill. |
| Mid-February – end of March 2025 | The McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients. |
Selection Process
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)
How to Learn More
Interested candidates should visit McGill University’s official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program webpage for:
A list of eligible master’s programs
Application deadlines and submission guidelines
Selection criteria and tips for a strong application
The McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is more than a scholarship; it is a movement to transform Africa through education, leadership, and community-driven impact.
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