McGill University – MasterCard Foundation Scholars

McGill University, one of the institutions that host the MasterCard Scholarship Program, is an internationally diverse, leading Canadian postsecondary institution that has a mission to advance learning through scholarship, teaching and service to society.

Scholarship Overview

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) gives academically talented young leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds access to excellent 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 on graduation.
Apart from receiving a comprehensive scholarship, scholars also go through skills training, transition support, as well as giving back to society through the give-back component of the program.

Host School(s)

Fields of Study

What does the scholarship cover?

How many scholarships are given?

Over the next ten years from 2013, McGill will give up to 24 scholarships at the Master’s level.

Which countries are targeted?

Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso

Burundi Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Republic

Chad Comoros Côte D’Ivoire DRC Congo

Djibouti Equatorial Guinea Eritrea 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 &Principe Senegal

Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa

South Sudan Swaziland Tanzania The Gambia

Togo Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

Am I Eligible to Apply?

You must qualify for admission at McGill University, and receive admission
You must be a first-time applicant to McGill University
You must be a citizen and a resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.
You must have an exceptional record of service and activity in your community and school.
You should have the potential for future service to your community, as a leader engaged in local and global social change.
You must commit to returning to Africa after graduation so that you can continue to give back to your community, and your country.
You must be from a low-income background. Note that proof of your financial status will be required.

How Do I Apply – Next Steps

The complete instructions for application are found at the website below.
You must first submit an online application to McGill University, after which you can apply for the MCFSP through the University.
As applicants to the MCFSP do not pay the $107.50 application fee, they must follow a special application procedure. Detailed instructions on this special procedure will be released in mid-September, at the website below.

Closing Date

How do I get more information?