McCall Macbain Scholarship 2025
Pursue your academic and leadership dreams in one of the world’s most student-friendly cities—Montréal, Canada. The McCall MacBain Scholarship 2025 at McGill University is now open to outstanding students from around the globe who are ready to embark on a fully funded master’s or second-entry professional program.
This prestigious scholarship does more than just cover your tuition and living expenses—it invests in your potential as a leader, equipping you with mentorship, coaching, and immersive leadership development opportunities throughout your program. Whether you’re passionate about social impact, entrepreneurship, public policy, sustainability, or innovation, this scholarship offers the platform and support you need to drive meaningful change in your community and beyond.
With a CA$2,300 monthly stipend, full tuition coverage, relocation support, and access to McGill’s top-tier academic resources, the McCall MacBain Scholarship isn’t just financial aid—it’s a transformational experience.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the McCall MacBain Scholarship 2025–2026—from eligibility and benefits to application steps, deadlines, and tips to boost your chances of success. If you’re looking to grow as a leader while earning a world-class education, this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Host | McGill University (Montreal, Canada) |
| Levels | Master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate (45+ credits) |
| Domains | Over 150 fields: MA, MSc, MEng, MBA, LLM, MMus… |
| Funding | Full tuition + fees |
| Living Stipend | CA $2,300/month during academic terms |
| Relocation Grant | One-time, for moving to Montréal |
| Summer Funding | CA$2,300/month during academic terms |
| Language Support | Free beginner to advanced French courses |
| Up to CA$5,000 for meaningful initiatives | Personalized mentorship, coaching, leadership curriculum |
| Additional awards | Mentorship/Leadership |
| Cohort Size | Up to 30 Canadian & 10 international scholars |
| Deadline (internationals) | August 20, 2025 |
| Application Opens | June 1, 2025 |
| Program Start | Summer/Fall 2026 entry (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, admission.ac, McGill University, McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, mccallmacbain.org, McGill University) |
What Is the McCall MacBain Scholarship?
Related Post: Northwest Development Commission Scholarship
Established under a landmark CA$200M gift from John & Marcy McCall MacBain in 2019, this flagship graduate scholarship at McGill is designed to nurture purposeful leadership. Modeled partly after prestigious programs like Rhodes and Mandela Rhodes, it supports high-achieving students across disciplines to create meaningful societal impact (mccallmacbain.org).
Matching your academic journey with an interdisciplinary leadership curriculum, the scholarship goes beyond finances—it builds a global network of mentors, offers coaching, and facilitates transformative experiences.
What You Get
- Full Funding: Covers tuition and mandatory fees for the entire program.
- Monthly Living Stipend: CA $2,300 during academic terms (McGill University).
- Relocation Grant: Helps with moving costs to Montréal.
- French Language Courses: From beginner through advanced, free via McGill.
- Summer Funding: Up to CA $5,000 for research, internships, or leadership projects (admission.ac, McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, McGill University).
- Mentorship & Coaching: Each scholar is supported by a mentor, coach, and advisors through a structured leadership curriculum (admission.ac).
- Networking: Access to a growing global alumni and regional peer network.
- Entrance Awards: Entrants not selected as scholars may be offered smaller entrance scholarships (~CA $5–20k) (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, McGill University).
Who Qualifies?
- Program: Must apply for a full-time master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate degree (45+ credits) at McGill (e.g., MA, MSc, MEng, MBA, LLM, DMD, MDCM) (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
- Timeline: The application window for the 2026 cohort opens June 1, 2025. Deadline for international applicants: August 20, 2025. Canadians/US/university-origin applicants: September 24 (McGill University).
- Academic: Strong academic record—but GPA isn’t everything. Leadership, community engagement, entrepreneurial spirit, and character weigh heavily (McGill University).
- Citizenship/Education: All nationalities can apply. Recent graduates (2020+), current students, or degree holders under 30 may apply. Alumni from earlier graduations can apply without endorsement.
- Eligibility Points:
- First bachelor’s degree earned after Jan 2020, or if earlier, applicant must be ≤30 in 2025 (admission.ac).
- Programs must be on campus at McGill (Downtown/Macdonald) (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
- Credible language proficiency per your McGill program (often English).
- Canadian/U.S./recent grads require university endorsement (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
Selection Criteria
Selection aims to identify students demonstrating:
- Exceptional Character: Integrity, empathy, curiosity, resilience.
- Community Engagement: A clear record of public service or collaborative initiative.
- Leadership Potential: Readiness to take on and sustain leadership roles.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: Ability to spot and act on opportunities innovatively.
- Academic Strength: Solid academic foundation and intellectual curiosity (mccallmacbain.org, McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
Application Process
Step 1: Endorsement (if needed)
- June–August: Gather endorsement from your institution (current Canadian/U.S. students & recent grads). Alumni 2022+ don’t require this (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
Step 2: Apply to McCall MacBain
- Opens June 1, 2025, and closes August 20, 2025, for internationals (McGill University).
- Complete essays, a resume, references, and leadership materials via their online portal.
Step 3: Apply to McGill
- If shortlisted, you’ll receive a notification to apply to McGill’s graduate or professional programs, usually via December (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
- Ensure the program deadline aligns (often early winter).
Step 4: Regional Interviews
- Held in Fall 2025 (dates vary by region).
- Candidates typically hear ~2 weeks prior.
Reddit Insight:
“Don’t let your GPA hold you back! … I applied with a 3.0/4.0… Focus on your experiences, adversity you’ve overcome” (Reddit).
Step 5: Final Selection & Entrance Funding
- Up to 30 scholars selected (20 Canadians, 10 internationals). ~100 finalists receive smaller entrance awards (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
Key Dates (2025–26)
- June 1, 2025: Application portal opens
- Aug 20, 2025: Deadline for internationals
- Sep 24, 2025: Deadline for Canadians/U.S.
- Oct–Nov 2025: Regional interviews
- Dec 2025: Shortlisted candidates apply to McGill programs
- Fall 2026: Cohort begins
Tips for Applicants
- Leadership over GPA: GPA matters less than purpose, character, and impact (Reddit, McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
- University endorsement: Canadian/US applicants from endorsed universities must secure in-time endorsement.
- Prepare for interviews: practice stories about leadership, community engagement, and resilience.
- Attend Info Sessions: Offered across faculties and virtual platforms—use them! (McGill University).
- Apply early: Finalists need time to apply to McGill—don’t wait until after the program deadline.
Why It’s Worth It
- Holistic Development: It’s not just financial support—it’s a network, community, and leadership experience (McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill).
- Fully Funded: Covers tuition, living, relocation, summer projects, and mentorship.
- Career Advantage: Leadership training and coaching enhance employability.
- Global Network: Join a cohort of changemakers and McGill/MacBain alumni worldwide.
- Language Edge: French courses add cultural and linguistic depth—Montreal’s bilingual environment enhances experience.
Final Checklist
- Assess eligibility (degree, field, nationality, endorsement)
- Gather reference letters, transcripts, a resume, and leadership/impact examples
- Draft strong essays: personal story, leadership, community, future impact
- Request endorsement (if applicable)
- Complete McCall MacBain application before Aug 20, 2025
- Prepare to apply to McGill if shortlisted
- Practice for regional interviews—emphasize character, engagement, vision
Final Thought
The McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University is a fully funded, leadership-focused opportunity for outstanding master’s and professional undergraduate candidates. With full tuition, generous stipends, relocation aid, summer funding, mentorship, and a cohort-based leadership journey, it offers a transformative path for future leaders. Applications open June 1, 2025, and international candidates must apply by August 20, 2025. If you inspire change in your community and dream of a master’s program at McGill, this scholarship is your gateway.
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