The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University in Canada offers a fully funded Master’s degree opportunity to outstanding African students for the 2025 academic year. The program supports young leaders who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, and a strong commitment to community development.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of and residing in an African country
- Be 35 years old or younger at the time of application
- Have never registered for or completed a Master’s degree
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with strong academic performance (First Class Honours or equivalent preferred)
- Be admissible to one of McGill University's eligible programs
- Be eligible for a Canadian Study Permit
- Demonstrate leadership and service in their community
- Show that financial constraints have limited their educational opportunities
Application Process
Step 1: Attend an Information Session
Attendance at a virtual information session is mandatory. Only participants will receive the application form.
Step 2: Apply to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Submit your application to the scholarship program first. Do not apply to McGill University at this stage.
Step 3: Pre-Screening and Invitation to McGill
Selected applicants will be invited to apply to McGill University with a fee waiver and further instructions.
Step 4: Apply to McGill University
Only successful pre-screened applicants may apply to McGill’s graduate programs.
Application Timeline (2025)
- July 3 – July 28: Attend a virtual information session
- August 4: Mastercard Foundation application opens
- August 31 (4:00 PM EST): Application deadline
- September 1 – December 10: McGill application stage (only for selected applicants)
- December 1: Deadline for Public Health and Biostatistics
- January 15: Deadline for all other programs
- February: Admission decisions communicated
- February – March: Final scholarship recipients selected
Eligible Master’s 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 Programs:
Animal Science, Bioresource Engineering
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be assessed based on:
- Academic qualifications and eligibility for McGill University
- Proven leadership and community service
- Alignment with Mastercard Foundation values
- Potential impact on applicant’s home country
- Experience overcoming financial, social, or health-related barriers
Eligible Countries
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, Zimbabwe.
Information Sessions
Applicants must attend one virtual session to receive the scholarship application link. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Some sessions are already full.
Register here: Information Session Registration Form
Important Notes
- Applications submitted outside the set process will not be accepted
- Do not contact professors or supervisors directly for thesis programs
- Applicants who deferred admission to McGill must reapply to the scholarship
Useful Links
Social Media Preview
Canada Scholarship for Africans – McGill University 2025
Fully Funded Master’s Degrees via Mastercard Foundation
Apply by August 31
Link: https://www.mcgill.ca/mastercardfdn-scholars/apply
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