McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Master’s at McGill University, Canada (Applications Open Now)
The McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded graduate scholarship for exceptional students from any country to pursue a master’s or second-entry professional degree at McGill University in Montréal, Canada. Up to 30 full scholarships and 100 entrance awards are offered each year. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees, a living stipend of CAD $2,300 per month during academic terms, a one-time relocation grant to Montréal, free French language courses from beginner to advanced level, and possible additional summer funding of up to CAD $5,000. Applications are now open. The deadline for international students from outside Canada and the US is 19 August 2026. The deadline for Canadian and US applicants is 23 September 2026. There is no application fee.
If you are an outstanding student who wants to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at one of the world’s top 30 universities with a CAD $2,300 monthly stipend, mentorship, a dedicated leadership programme, and a cohort of exceptional peers from around the world the McCall MacBain Scholarship is Canada’s most prestigious graduate scholarship and one of the most accessible, values-driven, fully funded opportunities open to Global South applicants right now. Use Our Free Scholarship Calculator
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | McCall MacBain Scholarship |
| Host University | McGill University, Montréal, Canada |
| Study Level | Master’s and second-entry professional undergraduate programmes |
| Full Scholarships | Up to 30 per year (20 Canadian, 10 international) |
| Entrance Awards | Up to 100 additional awards per year |
| Monthly Stipend | CAD $2,300 during academic terms |
| Tuition | Fully covered for the normal duration of the programme |
| Relocation Grant | One-time grant for moving to Montréal |
| French Language Courses | Free, from beginner to advanced level |
| Summer Funding | Up to CAD $5,000 for meaningful summer experiences |
| Eligible Countries | All countries worldwide |
| International Deadline | 19 August 2026 |
| Canada and US Deadline | 23 September 2026 |
| Application Fee | None |
| Official Portal | Click Here |
What Is the McCall MacBain Scholarship?
The McCall MacBain Scholarship was established through a transformative gift from John and Marcy McCall MacBain to McGill University. It is Canada’s first comprehensive, leadership-driven graduate scholarship modelled on the philosophy of programmes like the Knight-Hennessy Scholars and the Rhodes Scholarship, but specifically rooted in the Canadian and Francophone North American context.
The programme is built on a simple but demanding premise: the world needs leaders who serve others with integrity, who build bridges across differences, who take meaningful risks, and who pursue the hard work of positive impact with intellectual curiosity and genuine humility. The McCall MacBain Scholarship is designed to find these people while they are at a pivotal moment in their lives, about to begin graduate study and to give them the financial security, the intellectual community, and the leadership development infrastructure to become more of who they already are.
Since its first cohort in 2021, the programme has brought together scholars from across Canada and the world, spanning medicine, law, engineering, arts, education, public policy, sciences, and management. The diversity of disciplines is intentional: the programme believes that the most consequential leaders in a complex world are those who can think and work across the boundaries that separate academic fields.
What the Scholarship Covers
The McCall MacBain Scholarship provides a comprehensive financial and professional development package for the full duration of an eligible McGill programme.
Full tuition and fees for the normal duration of your chosen master’s or professional programme at McGill. There is no cap; the scholarship covers the actual tuition cost of your programme in full.
Monthly living stipend of CAD $2,300 paid during academic terms. Montréal is one of the most affordable major cities in Canada, and the combination of CAD $2,300 per month with no tuition liability means scholars can live comfortably throughout their programme without financial stress or the need for supplementary employment.
One-time relocation grant to help cover the costs of moving to Montréal, shipping belongings, initial accommodation deposits, and first-week expenses.
Free French language courses from beginner to advanced level, provided through McGill. This is both practically valuable in Montréal’s bilingual environment and a distinctive perk that reflects the scholarship’s commitment to cultural integration and lifelong learning.
Additional summer funding of up to CAD $5,000 for meaningful summer experiences, research projects, fieldwork, community initiatives, or professional development activities that complement the scholar’s academic programme and leadership goals.
The Leading with Purpose programme — a structured interdisciplinary leadership curriculum that runs alongside scholars’ academic studies throughout their time at McGill. This includes bi-weekly leadership seminars and workshops at the McCall MacBain House (a dedicated space for scholars on McGill’s downtown campus), peer learning activities, and connections with mentors and advisors drawn from across sectors and professions.
Travel costs covered for finalist interviews — shortlisted finalists who are invited to final interviews in Montréal receive their travel costs covered by the programme.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
The McCall MacBain Scholarship is open to students from any country in the world who meet at least one of the following academic eligibility criteria.
You are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree programme and expected to graduate by August 2027. You earned your first bachelor’s degree within the last five years, meaning on or after January 2021. You earned your first bachelor’s degree more than five years ago and were 30 years old or younger on January 1, 2026.
In addition to the above, you must be planning to apply for Summer or Fall 2027 admission to a full-time master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate programme at McGill University that consists of 45 credits or more and takes place primarily on McGill’s downtown or Macdonald campuses.
Eligible programme types include most master’s degrees across all faculties, as well as second-entry professional undergraduate programmes such as medicine (MDCM) and law (BCL/LLB). Graduate certificates, executive programmes (EMBA, IMHL, IMPM), PhDs, part-time programmes, and joint degree programmes are not eligible. Verify your intended programme’s eligibility on the official McCall MacBain website before applying.
There is no minimum GPA requirement stated by the programme, no language test requirement from the scholarship itself (though McGill’s individual programme admission requirements must be met), and no field of study restriction. Students from all disciplines across all countries are eligible to apply.
The Two Application Streams: International and Canadian
This is the structural feature of the McCall MacBain application that matters most for Global South applicants to understand clearly.
The programme operates two distinct application streams. The Canadian stream is for Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and those with accepted refugee status in Canada. The international stream is for all other applicants — which means every student from Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and every other region outside Canada and the US applies through the international stream.
For international applicants (outside Canada and the US): The application deadline is 19 August 2026. International applicants apply directly through the McCall MacBain application portal. There is no institutional endorsement or nomination requirement for international applicants applying directly. However, the programme collaborates with approximately 90 universities in 30 countries. If your university is a McCall MacBain partner institution, you may be eligible for a nomination that increases your access to the programme. Check the official website to see whether your university is a partner.
For Canadian and US applicants: The deadline is 23 September 2026. Canadian applicants who are current students or recent graduates must typically be endorsed by their university.
The international Regional Award is CAD $10,000 — a meaningful consolation award that international finalists who are not selected for the full scholarship but distinguish themselves at regional interviews are eligible to receive. This amount reflects the higher tuition costs that international students face at Canadian universities.
What the Selection Process Looks for
The McCall MacBain selection process evaluates candidates on five qualities. Understanding what each looks like in practice is essential for building a competitive application.
Character is the most fundamental criterion and the hardest to fake. The selection committee reads for evidence of integrity, honesty, and self-awareness, not just in what you have done but in how you reflect on it. Candidates who have navigated genuine difficulty with honesty and resilience, and who demonstrate the capacity for self-reflection in their application essays, stand out from those who present only polished highlights.
Community engagement means demonstrated commitment to causes and communities beyond your own advancement. This is evaluated through your history of civic engagement, volunteering, advocacy, service, and community leadership. The committee is looking for pattern and depth over time, not single impressive experiences.
Leadership means evidence that you have taken responsibility for others, mobilised people toward a shared goal, and produced results through your influence. Leadership in the McCall MacBain sense does not require formal titles or institutional positions. Community organising, student leadership, entrepreneurial initiatives, and informal mentorship all count — provided they demonstrate genuine responsibility and genuine impact.
Entrepreneurial spirit is the capacity to take meaningful risks, think originally, and pursue unconventional solutions to real problems. This does not mean you need to have founded a company. It means the committee is looking for evidence that you think independently, take initiative, and are willing to pursue paths that others might not.
Intellectual curiosity is evident in how you engage with ideas in your application, the specificity with which you describe what excites you intellectually, the depth with which you engage with your field, and the connections you draw between academic work and real-world problems.
The Application Process Step by Step
Step 1: Apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship. Go to the official portal at mccallmacbainscholars.org/apply and begin your application. The application is available from June 2026. Complete the application form, essays, and all required materials. You will need to provide contact details for two referees who will submit reference forms directly through the portal.
Step 2: Apply to your intended McGill programme. The scholarship application and McGill admissions are separate processes. You must apply to your chosen McGill programme independently. If you are selected as a McCall MacBain finalist, you will be required to have applied to McGill by December 2026 regardless of the programme’s standard deadline.
Step 3: Submit before your deadline. International students (outside Canada and US) must submit by 19 August 2026. Canadian and US applicants by 23 September 2026.
Step 4: Regional interviews. Semi-finalists are invited to regional interview sessions. These are conducted online or in person depending on your region.
Step 5: Final interviews in Montréal. Approximately 85 finalists are invited to final interviews at McGill in Montréal. Travel costs are covered for all finalists.
Step 6: Awards announced. Up to 30 full scholars and 100 entrance award recipients are selected. International finalists who are not selected for the full scholarship but distinguished themselves at regional interviews are eligible for the CAD $10,000 international Regional Award.
Official Application Portal: Click Here
Why the McCall MacBain Scholarship Matters for Global South Students
Ten of the 30 full McCall MacBain scholarships each year are reserved for international students. The programme collaborates with 90 universities across 30 countries spanning Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe to promote the scholarship and support international candidates through the application process.
Montréal is one of the most internationally diverse and genuinely multicultural cities in North America, with over 100 languages spoken and a large, established community of students and professionals from every region of the world. McGill itself draws students from over 150 countries. For international students who are concerned about integration and community in Canada, Montréal and McGill represent an unusually welcoming environment.
The CAD $2,300 monthly stipend with no tuition liability creates a financial situation that is genuinely comfortable for graduate students in Montréal, where the cost of living is significantly lower than in Toronto or Vancouver. This is not a scholarship where you will struggle financially while managing a demanding academic programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the McCall MacBain Scholarship open to students from India, Nigeria, Brazil, or other developing countries?
Yes. The scholarship is open to students from any country worldwide. Ten of the 30 annual full scholarships are specifically allocated to international students outside Canada. The programme collaborates with partner universities across Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America to actively promote the scholarship and support international applicants.
What is the deadline for international students?
International students from outside Canada and the United States must submit their McCall MacBain application by 19 August 2026. This is an earlier deadline than the Canadian and US stream, which closes 23 September 2026. International applicants should not confuse the two deadlines.
Do I need to be admitted to McGill before applying for the scholarship?
No. The scholarship application comes first. If you are selected as a finalist, you will then be required to apply to an eligible McGill programme by December 2026. Being selected as a McCall MacBain Scholar does not guarantee admission to McGill; the two processes are separate and must both be completed.
Are PhD programmes eligible for the McCall MacBain Scholarship?
No. The McCall MacBain Scholarship covers master’s degrees and second-entry professional undergraduate programmes only. PhD programmes, graduate certificates, executive programmes, and part-time programmes are not eligible.
Can I reapply if I applied in a previous year?
In most cases yes, assuming you still meet the eligibility criteria and update your application. However, applicants may not apply more than twice in total. Candidates who accepted a Regional Award or who were invited to final interviews in a previous year cannot reapply.
What is the Regional Award for international applicants?
International applicants who distinguish themselves at regional interviews but are not invited to final interviews are eligible for a one-time Regional Award of CAD $10,000. This award can be used for full-time enrolment in an eligible programme at any public university in Canada for Summer or Fall 2027.
Key Dates for the 2027 Cohort
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | June 2026 |
| International applicant deadline | 19 August 2026 |
| Canadian and US applicant deadline | 23 September 2026 |
| McGill programme application | October 2026 onwards (December at the latest for finalists) |
| Regional interviews | Typically November to January |
| Final interviews in Montréal | Typically February to March 2027 |
| Scholars begin at McGill | September 2027 |
Final Checklist Before You Apply
- Confirm you meet one of the three academic eligibility criteria at mccallmacbainscholars.org
- Confirm your intended McGill programme is eligible (45 credits or more, full-time, on McGill’s downtown or Macdonald campus)
- Check whether your university is a McCall MacBain partner institution
- Begin your application at mccallmacbainscholars.org/apply as soon as possible after June 2026
- Identify two referees who know your character, leadership, and academic capacity
- International students: submit before 19 August 2026
- Apply to your intended McGill programme separately, and begin the process in October 2026
- Apply at: mccallmacbainscholars.org/apply
Last updated: June 2026. Stipend amounts, number of scholarships, and programme eligibility are reviewed annually. Always verify current details on the official McCall MacBain Scholars website at mccallmacbainscholars.org before applying. Use Our Free Scholarship Calculator
