Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 University of Toronto (U of T) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto (U of T) is a fully funded scholarship program for graduate studies at Canada’s leading institution of learning, discovery, and knowledge creation. U of T is proud to be one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, driven to invent and innovate.

Prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars will develop their capacity and networks to engage in diverse healthcare professions and healthcare ecosystems in Africa. Upon completion of the program, it’s expected that Mastercard Foundation Scholars will return to their home countries and engage in self-employment or work in a range of health-related professions to advance the health outcomes within their countries upon completion.

The Scholarship

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto is a comprehensive scholarship that provides citizens from Sub-Saharan Africa with access to relevant university education. 

Graduate Programs

Up to 25 Mastercard Foundation scholarships will be awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year split across the following graduate programs:

  • Master of Health Administration
  • Master of Occupational and Environmental Health
  • Master of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences
  • Master of Financial Insurance • Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
  • Master of Biotechnology (for 2026 start)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants MUST meet the following six eligibility criteria:

  • Be a citizen and currently residing in a Sub-Saharan African country
  • Be graduating or have graduated within the last 5 years from a partner institution of the Africa Health Collaborative (listed on page one) and have not yet started studies at the graduate level
  • Have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities during his/her undergraduate years
  • Be academically admissible to one of the sponsored graduate programs listed above
  • Demonstrate a desire and commitment to return home following graduation to contribute to the ongoing economic growth and social development in Africa

Scholarship Benefits

Scholars in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto are provided with full financial assistance for the duration of their graduate studies.  This includes travel expenses to Canada (including obtaining a passport and visa application fees), tuition, housing, food, health insurance, laptop, learning materials, and other expenses.

Method of Application

  • Step One Prospective applicants must first consult the admission requirements for their chosen program of study. The links above will guide you in exploring these different programs. If you meet the academic requirements of your program of interest, please follow through to step two.

Step Two

  • Sign up to attend a scholarship information session and complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application. Deadline for submission of the completed application and receipt of all required attachments is Monday, November 4, 2024 at 12 noon (Toronto time).
  • If your application for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship meets all criteria and is approved by the Scholarship Admission Committee, you will receive an email to move forward to step three. These notifications to successful applicants will be made in early December.

Step Three

  • Begin your graduate application to the department/program of your interest from the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies website.
  • The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is the central location for graduate applications at the university.
  • Each department and program area will inform you as to the specific requirements of their department and provide you with subsequent dates for the submission of supplementary information.
  • This is an online process that will require you to upload documents to your application.

Please direct any questions to the University of Toronto’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program [Email: mcf.cie@utoronto.ca]

For More Information,

Visit the Official Webpage

Application Deadline: November 4, 2024 at 12 noon (Toronto time).