McGill University MasterCard Scholarships

• McGill University, one of the institutions that hosts the MasterCard Scholarship Program, is an internationally diverse, leading Canadian institution of higher learning that offers high-quality, research-intensive education to all its students.

Scholarship Overview

• The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) gives academically talented and community-engaged young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to get a quality university education.
• The chief aim of MCFSP is to create a highly qualified and globally educated crop of future leaders who will return to Africa upon graduation to help foster the region’s development.
• All scholars receive funding and guidance for two internships in their home countries. These internships help the scholars to maintain a connection with their country of origin, as well as create a path towards meaningful employment after graduation.
• MasterCard Scholars receive academic, financial, holistic, and emotional support as they transition from secondary school to university and then into the workplace.

Host School(s)

• McGill University, Canada

Fields of Study

• 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 (maximum of 5 Scholars per year)

What does the scholarship cover?

• A comprehensive scholarship package that includes tuition fees, books and supplies, travel costs, accommodation, uniforms, and stipends.
• Transition support, including career counseling, mentoring, internships, leadership development, etc.
• Skills training in areas relevant to employment success
• Up to one year of English instruction if needed
• Access to a vibrant alumni network that offers information, resources, and opportunities to consult with other graduates.
• An opportunity to Go-Back-Give-Back to your community and country of origin.

How many scholarships are given?

• Not stated

Which countries are targeted?

• Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi
• Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros
• Côte d’Ivoire, the 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, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia
• Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a citizen or resident of a Sub-Saharan African country
• Be less than 35 years old at the time of application
• Have a valid passport
• Be admissible to Canada as an international student
• Not have previously registered for or completed any graduate studies
• Have fulfilled the eligibility requirements for one of the non-thesis programs at the University that fall under the MasterCard Scholars Program
• Have an exceptional record of community service in your school or community
• Intend to return to your home country following the completion of your degree to transform your community through social and economic development

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

1. Determine your eligibility for the graduate programs that fall under the MasterCard Scholars Program.
2. Fill out the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program Application form found on the website.
3. Pre-screening will take place where all applications are reviewed.
4. If you are successful during the pre-screening phase, you will be notified and then granted a fee waiver to enable you to submit your application for admission to McGill University.
5. The respective departments offering the study programs then review the applications received.
6. Once you are admitted to your program of study, your scholarship application will move on to the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program Selection Committee for review.
7. Successful applicants will then be notified in April 2024 if they have been selected for the 2024 Cohort of the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Program at McGill University.

Selection Criteria

1. Academic Talent
2. Commitment to Giving Back
3. Potential to Lead

Closing Date

• December 1, 2023

How do I get more information?

• Website: McGill University MasterCard Scholars Program