The Mastercard Foundation scholarship program supports African students to have access to quaility education. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ education is complemented with tailored programming that includes mentorship, leadership training, tutoring, experiential learning opportunities, professional development, and career support.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
| Application Deadline | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Country to study | Canada |
| School to study | McGill University |
| Type | Masters |
| Course to study | View courses |
| Sponsor | Mastercard Foundation |
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Benefits
The scholarship Includes:
- Pre-arrival and immigration support
- Full international student tuition
- On-campus housing
- Personal monthly stipend (food, personal expenses, transportation, etc.)
- Academic tools and resources (book allowance, laptop, tutoring, etc.)
- A tailored leadership and professional development program
- Post-graduation transition expenses (ex. convocation regalia, return flight, etc.)
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Courses
- Animal Science
- Bioresource Engineering
- Biostatistics
- Biotechnology
- Food Science & Agricultural Chemistry
- Food safety and quality engineering
- Human Nutrition
- Public Health
- Public Policy
Requirements for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Prospective applicants must qualify academically for admission to McGill University and meet the following minimum criteria:
- 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 an 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.
- Demonstrate that financial constraints have prevented or restricted your educational opportunities.
- Be 35 years or younger at the time of application.
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)
Application Deadline
August 31, 2025
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.
For more details, visit McGill University Scholarship webpage