Mastercard Foundation Scholars Master’s Program at McGill University in Canada, 2020/2021

In 2013, McGill University began its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to offer the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill. This program provides academically talented young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with access to a world-class university education. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill will welcome 91 Scholars from Sub-Saharan Africa, including 24 at the Master’s level, over a ten year period. Unique to McGill, some Scholars are from French-speaking countries and receive intensive English language training before starting their degree programs.

Program Components

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill delivers tailored programming that resonates with Scholars’ leadership framework and empowers Scholars through the many transitions they face at McGill and beyond.

Leadership development

Mastercard Foundation Scholars are selected because of their demonstrated intention to carry out positive change. Our programming serves to complement the active and passive leadership development that is provided to all McGill students, with a special focus on Scholars’ particular leadership framework.​ All programming is cohort-based, with Scholars supporting each other’s leadership development.

Internships

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports Scholars for up to two internships in their home countries, typically from May to August. These internships provide an opportunity for Scholars to maintain personal connections and to explore the African professional world. While on internship, Scholars expand their professional networks and harness practical skills related to their studies and future employment.

Scholars have been involved across the spectrum of Africa’s economic, intellectual and social life. From the mines of Ghana to the hospitals of Tanzania; working with Rwandese youth and Malawian app developers; living in thriving metropolises, rural settings and company towns, the diversity of McGill’s Scholars is matched by the range of their internship experiences.

Peer mentorship

Peer Mentorship is a 2-to-2 relationship between upper-year McGill students and Scholars. That is, two mentors are matched with two Scholars in their first year to create a Peer Mentorship Circle. This format aims to expose both mentors and Scholars to a wider network of people, interests, and backgrounds. Peer Mentors provide guidance on life at McGill in a manner that facilitates the Scholars’ transition and success. Each Scholar and each Mentor is different, but they all share a dedication to academic achievement, leadership development and an ethic of giving back to one’s community.

Faculty Mentorship

– Every Scholar in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is matched with a Faculty Mentor: a professor from their program or faculty of study.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for consideration for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Master’s Program at McGill, you must:

1.  Be admissible to one of the eligible programs at McGill University (see Program List here);
2. Have never registered for /completed any graduate studies;
3. Be nominated by a current McGill Professor or Staff Member from the department you wish to apply to (see  Nomination form);
4. Be a citizen of and have lived a significant part of your life in a Sub-Saharan African Country (see List of Eligible Countries);
5. Have an exceptional record of service and activity in your school and/or community;
6. Have an intent to return to your country immediately upon the completion of your degree with the goal of transforming your community through social and economic development;
7. Demonstrate that your financial status is in the lowest two quintiles of your country;
8. Must be less than 35 years old at the time of application.

IMPORTANT DATES 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage

Application Deadline: January 31, 2021