The selection process for applications is based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate that qualifies for admission to McGill University.
- Track record as a transformative leader and person of service within their community.
- Quality of application in line with the Mastercard Foundation ethos and values of the McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill.
- Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
- Applicants who have faced significant barriers to education (social, financial, personal, practical or health-related)
Timeline
Please note that the application timeline is subject to change depending on the volume of applications received.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| June 23 – July 15, 2026 | Prospective applicants must attend a mandatory info session to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process. |
| August 3, 2026 (9:00 a.m. EST) | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applications open. |
| August 21, 2026 (4:00 p.m. EST) | Applications close. All applicants must have completed the first stage of the application and eligibility assessment. Applications will not be accepted beyond this date. |
| September – November 2026 | Only successful pre-screened applicants will be invited to move on to the McGill University application for admission stage. |
| December 1, 2026 | Application deadline for candidates who received a fee waiver. |
| Early to mid-February 2027 | Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their admission decision to McGill. |
| Mid-February – beginning of March 2027 | The McGill Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Committee will select scholarship recipients. |
This is the official website of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University. Any application information housed on a non- mcgill.ca website may be fraudulent.
