McCall MacBain Scholarships to Study in Canada, 2026-2027

Applications for the McCall MacBain scholarships to study in Canada are now being received for the 2027 cohort. Created in February 2019 by John McCall MacBain and Marcy McCall MacBain through a landmark gift of $200 million, the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill are Canada’s first leadership-driven scholarships for master’s and professional degree students. These scholarships are an investment in students who are developing expertise in their respective fields, have a track record of taking initiative, and seek to collaborate with others to understand and address important problems and challenges.

This Canadian scholarship is open to all disciplines and available for candidates who are planning to apply for Fall 2026 admission to a full-time master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program at McGill University. Programs with Summer 2026 admission only are also acceptable. The program must consist of 45 credits or more and take place primarily on one of McGill’s two campuses.

McCall MacBain Scholars are asked to bring openness and commitment to learning from one another. The program is fully funded and covers tuition and fees for the full normal duration of the master’s or professional program, a living stipend of $2,300 CAD per month during academic terms, a relocation grant for moving to Montréal, and finalist awards. Scholars will come together as a cohort during annual summer retreats, biweekly seminars, and monthly speaker series and connect with global thinkers through an annual Principal’s Lecture, workshops, and other events while studying in one of the world’s greatest multicultural and multilingual cities. McGill University is ranked #1 in Canada and #27 worldwide in QS 2026.

Program Details

• Host Institutions: McGill University in Canada.
• Eligible programs: full-time master’s degrees (MA, MArch, MATL, MBA, MEd, MEng, MISt, MM, MMus, MPP, MSc, MScA, MScAPT, MScAOT, MSW, MUP, LLM, STM) and second-entry professional undergraduate degrees (BCL/JD Law, DMD Dentistry, MDCM Medicine).
• Number of Awards: Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholarships, 55 finalist awards and 45 regional awards.
• Duration: Full normal duration of the master’s or professional program.
• Target Group: Open to citizens of all countries in the world. Canadian and international applicants have separate award categories.

McCall MacBain Scholarships Benefits

Around 30 scholarships will be awarded under this scholarship program. This Canada scholarship will cover:

• Tuition and fees for the full normal duration of your program.
• Living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms.
• Relocation grant (one-time) for moving to Montreal.
• French language courses from beginner to advanced levels through McGill.
• Summer initiative funding – up to $5,000 for scholars not in academic terms during the summer.

Furthermore, scholars receive:

• Leadership development : bi-weekly seminars, annual summer intensives, field trips, and sessions on Indigenous history and culture with an Elder-in-residence.
• Mentors and coaches : each scholar is matched with an experienced mentor, an executive coach, and advisors. Since 2021, more than 100 leaders have served as mentors.
• A community hub : the McCall MacBain House at the entrance of McGill’s downtown campus provides space for scholars to gather, study, and collaborate.
• Place-based learning : Second-year scholars travel to another part of Quebec or Canada (recent destinations include Quebec City, Winnipeg, and Vancouver).

Scholarships and Awards for 2027

Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholarships (more details above in the scholarship benefit section) and up to 100 finalist and regional awards will be offered to candidates who distinguish themselves during the interview process.

Canadian Applicants (citizens, permanent residents, refugees)

• 20 McCall MacBain Scholarships (tenable at McGill).
• 30 Finalist Awards of $10,000 (tenable at McGill).
• 30 Regional Awards of $5,000 (tenable at any public university in Canada).

International Applicants (any other citizenship)

• 10 McCall MacBain Scholarships (tenable at McGill).
• 25 Finalist Awards of $20,000 per year for up to 2 years (tenable at McGill).
• 15 Regional Awards of $10,000 (tenable at any public university in Canada).

McCall MacBain Scholarships Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2027 cohort, you need to meet ONE of these criteria:

• You are a current student on track to earn your first bachelor’s degree by August 2027.
• You earned your first bachelor’s degree in the last five years (January 2021 or later).
• You earned your first bachelor’s degree more than five years ago, and you were 30 years old or younger on January 1, 2026.

You must also meet McGill’s minimum degree and language requirements for admission to your chosen master’s program. The program must consist of 45 credits or more and take place on McGill’s downtown or Macdonald campuses.

What is the Program is Looking For

The selection committee looks for candidates who demonstrate:

• Exceptional character : integrity, honesty, empathy, tenacity, and a willingness to take meaningful risks.
• Community engagement : a track record of working with others to address challenges and pursuing interests outside the classroom.
• Leadership potential : experience leading others towards a common goal and a drive to advance meaningful change.
• Entrepreneurial spirit : the ability to identify unmet needs and develop creative solutions.
• Academic strength and intellectual curiosity : deep interest in ideas, openness to different perspectives, and a good fit between your proposed program and your future plans.

How to Apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarships

Eligible candidates who would like to apply for this North America scholarship should click on the apply button below and follow the instructions to apply. Please note that the application portal is available in both English and French. Those who would like to attend an information session should click here.

McCall MacBain Scholarship applicants must apply directly to McGill for at least one eligible full-time master’s or professional program. Program admission timelines and requirements vary, so please research the ones that interest you. The McCall MacBain Scholarship application deadline precedes McGill’s graduate admissions. After submitting your scholarship application, you must apply to at least one McGill program by the program’s application deadline, or in December at the latest if you are selected for McCall MacBain Scholarship final interviews.

Application Timeline

• June – September 2026: Apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship online. The application is separate from McGill admissions, and two reference forms are required.
• October – December 2026: Apply for McGill programs. You’ll need to apply separately to compatible programs at McGill University. If you are a scholarship finalist, you’ll need to apply to McGill in December even if the program deadline is later.
• October – December 2026: Regional interviews (invitation only). More than 250 semi-finalists will be invited to regional interviews with leaders who reflect varied disciplines and life experiences.
• March 2027: Final interviews in Montreal (invitation only). Approximately 85 finalists will be invited. Travel costs are covered. Finalists are eligible for either the full scholarship or a finalist award.
• September 2027: Up to 30 scholars (20 Canadians, 10 international) begin their studies at McGill.

Application Deadlines for 2027 Admission

• International applicants (students and graduates of universities located outside Canada and the US): August 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM EDT.
• Canada and United States (students and graduates of universities in Canada and the US, including Canadians abroad): September 23, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

The furtherst application deadline is September 23, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. For more details on this Canada scholarship program (McCall MacBain Scholarship), please visit the official page.