McCall MacBain Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ McCall MacBain application with two reference forms, submitted by August 19 if you are a student or graduate of a university outside Canada and the United States
• ✓ Application submitted by September 23 if you are a student or graduate of a Canadian or U.S. university, or a Canadian abroad; you also apply separately to a compatible McGill program

About this award

You receive a full scholarship for your master's or professional studies at McGill. It covers tuition and fees for the full normal duration of the program, a living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms, and a one-time relocation grant for moving to Montreal. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an innovator, community-builder, or leader who wants to address complex challenges facing communities while pursuing advanced studies. Depending on your situation, you have two different deadlines. If you are a student or graduate of a Canadian or U.S. university, or a Canadian living abroad, you must apply by September 23. All other applicants must apply by August 19. These were the deadlines for the 2027 cohort (applications opened June 1, 2026), so that round is now closed. After the written application, more than 250 semi-finalists are invited to regional interviews, and approximately 85 finalists are invited to final interviews in Montreal. Selection criteria focus on your exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity. Each year up to 30 full scholarships and 100 entrance awards are offered to the top candidates. Ask McGill University / McCall MacBain Foundation how the final winners are selected from the applicant pool. Ask McGill University / McCall MacBain Foundation during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. The scholarship covers tuition and fees for the full normal duration of your master's or professional program; confirm with McGill University / McCall MacBain Foundation what you need to maintain to keep it.

Who qualifies

For the 2027 cohort, you needed to meet one of these: be a current student on track to earn your first bachelor's degree by August 2027; have earned your first bachelor's degree in the last five years (January 2021 or later); or have earned your first bachelor's degree more than five years ago and been 30 or younger on January 1, 2026. You also need to meet the minimum degree and language requirements for admission to a McGill master's program. Students and graduates of Canadian, U.S. and other universities can apply, on different deadlines.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen or international student
• ✓ Open to undergraduate or graduate students
• ✓ Resident of Quebec

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Deadline: September 23

   September 23 has already passed this year. The award's official page gives the date without a year, so check there when the next round closes before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

• LeadershipAvoid just listing the titles of the clubs you joined. Instead, describe a specific time you worked with others to solve a complex challenge in your community. Write about the actual impact your actions had on other people.
• SupportAvoid using references who only know you from a classroom setting. Instead, choose a mentor or advisor who can speak to your character and your entrepreneurial spirit. Ask them to provide a concrete example of your leadership in action.
• StrategyAvoid focusing only on your grades. Instead, show how your academic strength combines with your desire to serve others. Connect your choice of study directly to the community problems you want to fix.
• RealismAvoid assuming this is a purely academic prize. Instead, recognize that this is a leadership program that expects you to be an active member of a diverse peer group. Be prepared to engage in interdisciplinary learning outside of your own department.

Questions students ask

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