Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University 2025

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University is a prestigious initiative aimed at supporting talented graduate students from Sub-Saharan Africa who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and a commitment to improving public health, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and public policy sectors across Africa. Through this program, McGill University, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, provides fully funded opportunities for eligible students to pursue their Master’s degrees and contribute to transformative changes in their home countries. This guide will provide a comprehensive guide on the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, application process, and the programs offered.

How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University

Applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University requires careful planning and attention to detail. Below are the steps involved in the application process:

1. Determine Your Eligibility

Before beginning the application process, prospective applicants must ensure they meet the program’s eligibility criteria (detailed below). This includes being a citizen of a Sub-Saharan African country, having a strong academic background, and demonstrating leadership potential.

2. Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form

The first step in the application process is completing the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form. This form is crucial as it allows the selection committee to pre-screen applicants. The application form requires you to provide personal information, academic background, and demonstrate your leadership experience and vision for contributing to Africa’s development.

3. Pre-screening Process

Once your application is submitted, it undergoes a pre-screening process by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team. Only successful pre-screened applicants will move forward in the process. Those who pass the pre-screening will be asked to provide additional documentation to support their application.

4. Invitation to Apply to McGill University

If you successfully pass the pre-screening process, you will be invited to apply for admission to McGill University. At this stage, you will receive a fee waiver and detailed instructions on how to proceed with the university’s official admissions process.

It’s important to note that applicants must apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program first. Only after successfully passing the pre-screening phase will they be invited to apply to McGill University. Any applications submitted outside this process will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, prospective applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Academic Requirements

Applicants must qualify academically for admission to McGill University and meet the specific requirements for the program they are applying to. They should hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a field relevant to their desired area of graduate study. Applicants with First Class Honors or its equivalent will have a stronger chance of being admitted to the program.

2. Citizenship

Only citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries are eligible to apply. Furthermore, applicants must currently live in a Sub-Saharan African country. Those with dual citizenship, asylum, refugee status, or permanent residency in the U.S., Canada, the UK, or the EU are not eligible to apply.

3. Age Limit

Applicants must be under 35 years of age at the time of application.

4. Leadership and Service

Applicants must demonstrate a strong record of leadership and service within their community. The program seeks individuals who have a proven commitment to contributing to their communities and who aspire to continue driving change and development in Africa.

5. Passport and Immigration

Applicants must hold a valid passport and be eligible for a study permit to enter Canada as international students. This requirement ensures that applicants can travel to Canada for their studies.

Eligible Programs

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University offers a variety of both non-thesis and thesis-based Master’s programs. These programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to address Africa’s challenges in nutrition, sustainable agriculture, public health, and public policy. Below is a list of eligible programs:

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-Based Programs:

Animal Science: Sustainable Agriculture
Bioresource Engineering - Environmental Engineering
Bioresource Engineering - Integrated Food & Bioprocessing
Bioresource Engineering - Integrated Water Resource Management

Eligible Countries

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University is available to citizens of the following Sub-Saharan African countries:

Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Côte d'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Republic of the Congo
Rwanda
São Tomé and Príncipe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
The Gambia
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Application Process and Timeline

Below is a summary of the application process and the timeline that applicants need to follow:

Step 1: Complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form

Applicants should begin by completing the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Application Form. Ensure all required documents are uploaded and meet the criteria outlined in the application guidelines.

Step 2: Pre-screening and Invitation to Apply to McGill University

Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application to McGill University. At this point, they will receive a fee waiver and detailed instructions on how to apply to the university.

Step 3: Apply to McGill University

Once pre-screened, applicants should submit their application to McGill University following the specific instructions provided. Remember to meet all deadlines and provide complete documentation to ensure your application is considered.

Application Timeline:

Application Deadline for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: October 31st, 2025
Pre-screening Results and Invitation to Apply to McGill University: November 2025
Deadline to Apply to McGill University: December 2025 - January 2026

Benefits of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University offers a wide range of benefits designed to support scholars throughout their academic journey and beyond. Below are the key benefits:

1. Full Financial Support

The program provides full financial support to cover tuition, accommodation, books, and other necessary academic expenses.

2. Leadership Development

Scholars will receive comprehensive leadership training that will enable them to become transformative leaders in their respective fields. The program encourages scholars to develop solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges.

3. Mentorship and Career Guidance

In addition to academic support, scholars will receive mentorship and guidance from professionals in their field of study. This mentorship will help scholars build a strong foundation for their careers and ensure they are well-prepared to contribute to Africa’s development.

4. Global Networking Opportunities

Scholars will have the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and professionals across the globe. This network will not only enhance their academic experience but also create pathways for future collaboration and impact.

5. Return to Africa

The program places a strong emphasis on the scholar’s return to their home country to contribute to Africa’s development. Upon completing their studies, scholars are encouraged to use their skills and knowledge to drive change in their communities and work toward sustainable development.

To learn more and how to apply, visit McGill University Official Application Page.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University offers a unique opportunity for Sub-Saharan African students to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree in fields that have a profound impact on Africa’s development. With a focus on leadership, service, and transformative change, this program equips scholars with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to make a lasting impact on their communities. If you are passionate about creating change in Africa, don’t wait—apply today for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University and take the first step toward becoming a transformative leader in Africa.

Click here to visit McGill University official website.

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