McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, a Canadian charity working with the McCall MacBain Foundation and McGill University
McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill
The McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada's first comprehensive, leadership-based scholarships for master's and professional study. Up to 30 scholars a year, 20 Canadian and 10 international, study at McGill University in Montreal with tuition, a living stipend and a leadership programme of mentors, coaches and seminars. Around 100 more finalists and regional candidates receive one-time awards.
- Level
- Master's
- Study or work in
- Canada (McGill University, Montreal)
- Who can apply
- Any nationality; first bachelor's degree by August 2027, since January 2021, or older and aged 30 or under on 1 January 2026
- What it covers
- Tuition and fees, a living stipend of 2,300 dollars a month in term, a relocation grant, optional summer funding, and the leadership programme
- Length
- The normal length of the master's or professional programme
- Application window
- Opens in June; closes in mid August for international candidates and late September for Canada and the US
Open now (3)
- McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill UniversityMcGill University · Canada
- McCall MacBain Chair in Healthspan ResearchMcMaster University - Faculty of Science · Hamilton (City), Ontario
- McCall MacBain Chair in Kinesiology and Health IntegrationMcMaster University - Faculty of Science · Hamilton (City), Ontario
How to apply
Apply online with two reference forms (one academic, one community). Some applicants need their university to endorse them. Apply separately to eligible McGill programmes; finalists must do so by December.
What scholars receive
A McCall MacBain Scholarship covers tuition and fees for the normal length of an eligible master's or professional programme at McGill, a living stipend of 2,300 Canadian dollars a month during academic terms, and a one-time grant for moving to Montreal. Scholars who are not studying over the summer can apply for up to 5,000 dollars to pursue a meaningful summer project.
The leadership programme runs alongside the degree. Scholars attend summer intensives, seminars every two weeks and field trips, and in the second year travel to another part of Quebec or Canada for place-based learning. Each is matched with a mentor, an executive coach and advisers; more than 100 leaders have served as mentors since 2021. Sessions with an Elder-in-residence give scholars a chance to engage with Indigenous history, culture and worldviews. The McCall MacBain House at the entrance to McGill's downtown campus is the cohort's base.
The other awards
Candidates who stand out at interview but are not chosen as scholars can still receive funding. For Canadians, citizens, permanent residents and refugees, there are 30 finalist awards of 10,000 dollars at McGill and 30 regional awards of 5,000 dollars at any public university in Canada. International candidates can receive one of 25 finalist awards of 20,000 dollars a year for up to two years at McGill, or one of 15 regional awards of 10,000 dollars at any public university in Canada.
Eligible degrees
The scholarship covers full-time master's programmes of 45 credits or more on McGill's downtown or Macdonald campuses, across more than 150 fields, and three second-entry professional degrees: law (BCL/JD), dentistry (DMD) and medicine (MDCM). PhDs, graduate certificates, executive master's programmes, part-time programmes and joint degrees are not covered. Scholars must apply to McGill and be admitted separately.
Who can apply
For the 2027 cohort, applicants needed to be on track to earn their first bachelor's degree by August 2027, to have earned it in January 2021 or later, or, if they graduated earlier, to have been 30 or younger on 1 January 2026. They must also meet McGill's minimum degree and language requirements for master's admission. Applicants who already hold or are studying for a graduate degree may apply if they will start a new eligible programme the following year.
How selection works
- Written application. Candidates apply online between June and the August or September deadline, with two reference forms. Some need an endorsement from their university.
- Regional interviews. More than 250 Canadian and international semi-finalists are invited to regional interviews between October and December, conducted by leaders from varied disciplines and backgrounds.
- McGill application. Candidates apply to their chosen McGill programmes by each programme's deadline; finalists must apply by December even if the programme deadline is later.
- Final interviews. About 85 finalists are invited to final interviews in Montreal in March, with travel paid. Finalists receive either a full scholarship or a finalist award.
Questions
Is there an age limit?
Generally no. Graduates who took their first bachelor's degree more than five years ago must have been 30 or younger on 1 January of the application year.
Is there a minimum grade?
No separate minimum. You must meet the admission requirements, including GPA, of your chosen McGill programme.
Do I need GRE or GMAT scores?
Not for the scholarship application, though you may include a strong score, and your McGill programme may require one later.
Is there a fee?
The FAQ answers this by pointing to McGill's own programme application, whose fee the scholarship does not cover.
Can I apply if I already have a master's?
Yes, if you will start a new eligible McGill programme the following year and can show how it fits your long-term goals.
Do I have to speak French?
No. The programme says you do not need French to study at McGill, although you will hear both languages across Montreal.
Related programmes
Sources
Official pages last checked 27 September 2026.