Mastercard Foundation Scholarships at McGill University in Canada 2024-2025

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The Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with McGill University in Canada, is issuing a call for applications for its master’s scholarships for the academic year 2024-2025. This program is exclusively intended for students from sub-Saharan Africa. Interested candidates have until December 1, 2023, to submit their applications.

Since its launch in 2012, the program has supported nearly 40,000 young individuals in Africa to pursue secondary or tertiary education. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the largest initiative of its kind in Africa, offering more than just financial support. It includes mentorship, leadership skill development, tutoring, internship opportunities, career counseling services, and personalized guidance throughout the program’s duration. The Mastercard scholarship ensures that each awardee can have the best possible experience at McGill University.

McGill University is a prestigious Canadian university located in Montreal, Quebec. It is one of the leading institutions of higher education in Canada. McGill attracts thousands of international students from over 150 countries every year. Out of a total of 39,513 students, 30.8% are international students.

Benefits of the Mastercard Scholarship at McGill

The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at McGill is a comprehensive scholarship that provides full coverage of application and tuition fees, travel expenses, housing, and a monthly allowance.

In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients will receive personalized guidance from their arrival until their departure. Before commencing their studies, they will participate in a two-week orientation program in Canada.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at McGill University, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You are not a previous recipient of a master’s degree.
2. You are a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country and reside there.
3. You possess a valid passport. If you have dual citizenship or a special status (asylum seeker, refugee, permanent resident) in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, you are ineligible to apply.
4. You have a strong track record of service and involvement in your school or community.
5. You intend to return to your home country after completing your master’s degree at McGill to contribute to its development.
6. You are under the age of 35 at the time of your application.

Eligible countries for the Mastercard Scholarship at McGill

The following countries are eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at McGill University:

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

Eligible master’s programs

The following master’s programs are eligible for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at McGill. Please take the time to visit the website of your chosen master’s program. Review the eligibility criteria carefully to ensure they apply to your case:

• 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

Application Process for the Mastercard Scholarship at McGill

To apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarships at McGill University, please follow the steps below:

1. Check your eligibility for the chosen academic program by referring to the ‘Eligible Master’s Programs’ section of this article.
2. Complete the application form for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program.
3. Simultaneously, apply to one of the aforementioned master’s programs. Make sure to apply for the Fall 2024 semester. DO NOT proceed with the payment of application fees but ensure you complete all other components, including uploading the required documents.
4. Wait for the Mastercard Foundation to review your application. You will receive a notification within a reasonable timeframe.
5. If your application is selected during the pre-screening phase by Mastercard, you will be notified and receive a fee waiver that allows you to submit your application to McGill University free of charge.
6. Go back to your McGill University application and complete it by submitting it.

The department of your chosen master’s program will review your application in accordance with its deadlines. If you are admitted to the academic program, your scholarship application will be submitted for review to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship program selection committee. If you are denied admission by the master’s program, your application will no longer be eligible for the scholarship.

It is possible for candidates to be admitted to McGill University but not receive the scholarship. In such cases, you will need to seek alternative funding. One option at McGill University is the 130 McCall MacBain Scholarships in Canada for international and Canadian students.

If you have any questions regarding the application process for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program at McGill University, please contact: [email protected].

(1) Check your eligibility with the Mastercard Foundation (2) Apply for a master’s program at McGill University Official Website