MCCALL MACBAIN FOUNDATION / MCGILL UNIVERSITY
McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University
full · masters
- ~CAD $2,300/mo (est.)Living stipend
- 100%Tuition & fees (full award)
- ~30 (est.)Full scholars per year
- ~CAD $200M (est.)Founding gift
- Leadership programmeMentorship, coaching & retreats
- McGill UniversityHost university (Montreal)
At a glance
full
Funding
from €19k
Max amount
Sep 23, 2026
Deadline
All countries (including Canada)
Country
McCall MacBain Foundation / McGill University
Provider
The McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s first comprehensive, leadership-based scholarships for a full master’s or professional degree, hosted at McGill University in Montreal. The programme was created by a landmark ~CAD $200 million (est.) gift from John and Marcy McCall MacBain and is modelled on the Rhodes idea: it funds not just tuition but a complete leadership experience. Each year roughly ~30 (est.) full scholars receive tuition and fees plus a living stipend of about ~CAD $2,300 (est.) per month, alongside mentorship, coaching, retreats and an interdisciplinary leadership programme. A larger group of finalists receive one-time awards of ~CAD $5,000–$20,000 (est.). The award is open to applicants from around the world who completed a first degree within roughly the last 7 years and are admitted to an eligible McGill programme. Selection weighs character, leadership, intellectual curiosity and a desire to serve, not academics alone. Figures and deadlines shift each cycle, so verify them on the official page before applying.
What's covered
- Tuition and fees — Full tuition and compulsory fees for the eligible McGill master’s or professional degree.
- Living stipend — A monthly living stipend of ~CAD $2,300 (est.) during the programme.
- Leadership programme — Mentorship, one-to-one coaching, retreats and an interdisciplinary curriculum.
- Relocation and settling-in — A relocation grant and support to help international scholars settle in Montreal.
- Finalist awards — Non-scholar finalists may receive one-time awards of ~CAD $5,000–$20,000 (est.).
How to apply
You apply to the scholarship through the McCall MacBain portal and, separately, to your chosen McGill programme.
- Check eligible programmes — Confirm your intended McGill master’s or professional degree is on the eligible list.
- Submit the scholarship application — Complete the McCall MacBain online application with essays, references and a short video.
- Apply to McGill separately — Submit your McGill programme admission application by its own deadline.
- Regional and panel interviews — Shortlisted applicants progress through regional interviews and a final selection weekend.
- Receive the decision — Final scholars and finalist-award recipients are notified after the final round.
Eligibility
NationalityOpen to citizens of any country, including Canada.
Graduation windowCompleted (or will complete) a bachelor’s degree, typically within the last ~7 years.
ProgrammeMust apply to and be admissible to an eligible master’s or professional degree at McGill (e.g. many master’s, MBA, law, medicine).
Character and leadershipEvidence of integrity, leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to serving others.
AcademicsA solid academic record, though the award is explicitly not decided on grades alone.
Eligible McGill programmes and the exact graduation window are defined each cycle. A few programmes are excluded — check the current list.
Eligible countries
All countries (including Canada)
Deadlines
Fall entry~23 September 2026 (est.)
Selection
A multi-stage process assesses character, leadership, intellectual curiosity and purpose through written application, references, regional interviews and a final selection weekend, rather than grades alone.
Verified sources
- McCall MacBain Scholarshipsmccallmacbainscholars.orgofficial
- McCall MacBain — How to applymccallmacbainscholars.orgapply
About the provider
The McCall MacBain Foundation, established by John and Marcy McCall MacBain, funds education and leadership initiatives; its McGill scholarship is among the largest leadership-based graduate awards in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What does the McCall MacBain Scholarship cover?
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Full tuition and fees plus a living stipend of ~CAD $2,300 (est.) per month, along with a leadership programme of mentorship, coaching and retreats.
Where do scholars study?
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At McGill University in Montreal, Canada, on an eligible master’s or professional degree.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Applicants of any nationality who completed a bachelor’s degree, usually within the last ~7 years, and are admissible to an eligible McGill programme.
Is it only for academic high-achievers?
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No. Strong academics matter, but selection weighs character, leadership and purpose at least as heavily.
How many full scholarships are awarded?
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Around ~30 (est.) full scholarships each year, plus a larger number of one-time finalist awards.
What are finalist awards worth?
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One-time awards of roughly ~CAD $5,000–$20,000 (est.) for finalists who are not selected as full scholars.
Do I apply to McGill as well?
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Yes. The scholarship application and the McGill programme admission application are separate and both required.
What is the deadline?
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The main deadline is around ~23 September 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact date for your applicant pool.
Is there an interview?
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Yes — shortlisted applicants attend regional interviews and a final selection weekend.
Can Canadians apply?
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Yes, the award is open to Canadian and international applicants alike.
Which programmes are eligible?
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Many McGill master’s and professional degrees, including law, management, public policy and medicine. Check the current eligible list.
Where can I confirm current figures and deadlines?
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On the official McCall MacBain Scholars website linked in the sources, which is updated each cycle.