McCall MacBain Scholarship

The information contained on this web page pertains to the 2024-2025 McCall MacBain Scholarships competition. Successful applicants will commence their award in Fall 2025. 

• Scholarship overview
• Evaluation criteria
• Eligibility criteria
• Application process
• Institutional endorsement
• Timeline
• Helpful resources

Scholarship overview

The McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s first comprehensive, leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies. The program brings together students who strive to engage in positive change by taking on meaningful leadership roles.

The scholarship covers:

• Tuition and fees for the full normal duration of the master’s or professional program
• A living stipend of $2,000 per month during academic terms
• A one-time relocation grant for moving to Montréal

Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholarships and 100 finalist and regional awards will be offered each year. Awards range in value: Scholarships $20,000, Finalist Awards $10,000, Regional Awards $5,000.

Evaluation criteria

McCall MacBain Scholars will have a track record of community engagement, informed by a sense of duty, empathy, intellectual curiosity, grit, and a willingness to take risks. They aim to create meaningful and lasting change, while improving the lives of others.

The selection committee will seek applicants with:

• Exceptional character
• Community engagement
• Leadership potential
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Academic strength and intellectual curiosity

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for the 2024 cohort, you must meet ONE of the following criteria:

• You are a current student on track to earn your first bachelor’s degree by August 2025
• You earned your first bachelor’s degree in the last five years (January 2019 or later)
• You earned your first bachelor’s degree more than five years ago, and are 30 years or younger in 2024

You will also need to meet the minimum degree and language requirements for McGill master’s program admission.

Please note that the McCall MacBain Scholarship offer is conditional upon admission to an eligible master’s or professional degree program at McGill University. Students must apply separately to McGill for admission.

Application process

1. Review the application requirements

• Visit the McCall MacBain Resources website to view the application requirements to begin preparing your application.

2. Create application in online portal

• The application portal will open in June 2024. Visit the McCall MacBain website to view the online application portal and initiate an application. We encourage applicants to create an application early on to avoid any unforeseeable issues. 

3. Submit application by the deadline

• Applicants must submit their application materials through the McCall MacBain online application portal by the application deadline of September 25, 2024. Referees must submit their reference letters by the same deadline.  

Institutional endorsement

Eligible current students and recent graduates (those who graduated in 2022, 2023, or 2024) must earn an endorsement from their current/most recent institution. Applicants seeking endorsement through the University of Waterloo must finalize and submit their application through the McCall MacBain online application portal by the deadline of September 25, 2024. 

All applicants will receive notification regarding whether they were selected for endorsement by the University of Waterloo within three weeks of the application deadline.

Alumni who graduated in 2021 or earlier do not require a university endorsement.

Timeline

• McCall MacBain Scholarship website 
• Referees - visit the University Affairs website for help on choosing your referees and how to ask for a reference letter 
• Centre for Career Action website - for pointers on resume/CV writing and interview skills
• Writing and Communication Centre website - for writing and communication support

Questions about the McCall MacBain scholarship application process can be emailed to the Co-ordinator, Graduate Financial Aid and Awards in Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).