Program Overview

Leading with Purpose

The McCall MacBain Scholarships are about much more than financial support. We believe in the power of community. This program brings together a diverse group of scholars who aspire to lead with purpose – individuals who have demonstrated leadership potential and an inner drive to make a positive impact in other people’s lives.

While you and your fellow scholars will go on to work on a broad range of challenges in different sectors, you share a vision for the kind of leaders you want to be: leaders who serve others with integrity and humility, who are committed to continual learning and bridge-building, and who take bold, meaningful risks.

Join a Community

Making Positive Change

As a McCall MacBain Scholar, you’ll be able to pursue a fully funded master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program at McGill University.

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

Scholars who are not pursuing an academic term during the summer may apply for up to $5,000 to pursue meaningful summer experiences.

Program Overview

McCall MacBain Scholars are asked to bring an openness and commitment to learning from one another – all while studying in one of the world’s greatest multicultural cities.

This program will give you tools to:

As part of a cohort of scholars from different fields, you’ll participate in a leadership development curriculum to help you better tackle complex challenges and deepen your impact. Together, you’ll develop your understanding of yourself, of others, and of the systems that affect us all.

As part of a cohort of scholars from different fields, you’ll participate in a leadership development curriculum to help you better tackle complex challenges and deepen your impact. Together, you’ll develop your understanding of yourself, of others, and of the systems that affect us all.

Every scholar is matched with an experienced mentor, a professional coach, and advisors. During your studies, these individuals will challenge you to reach your goals and help you set new ones. They can also introduce you to a broader network of people who can advise you on specific problems and on next steps after your degree.

Every scholar is matched with a supportive and experienced mentor, a professional coach, and advisors. During your studies, these individuals will challenge you to reach your goals and help you set new ones. They can also introduce you to a broader network of people who can advise you on specific problems and on next steps after your degree.

As scholars, you’ll come together during annual summer retreats, bi-weekly seminars, and other events. The McCall MacBain House, conveniently located at the entrance of McGill’s downtown campus, provides space for scholars to gather, learn, and collaborate.

As scholars, you’ll come together during annual summer retreats, bi-weekly seminars, and other events. The McCall MacBain House, conveniently located at the entrance of McGill’s downtown campus, provides space for scholars to gather, learn, and collaborate.

In addition to developing your leadership skills, you’ll have opportunities to expand your knowledge and feed your curiosity. You can tailor your McCall MacBain Scholar experience, selecting from a breadth of workshops and talks. You and your peers will help set the agenda for these activities and have the option to share your own savoir-faire with one another.

Develop Your
Leadership Skills

As part of a cohort of scholars from different fields, you’ll participate in an intensive leadership development curriculum, including seminars with case studies, to help you better tackle complex challenges and deepen your impact. Together, you’ll develop your understanding of yourself, of others, and of the systems that affect us all.

Connect with
Mentors & Advisors

Every scholar is matched with a supportive and experienced mentor, a professional coach, and advisors. During your studies, these individuals will challenge you to reach your goals and help you set new ones. They can also introduce you to a broader network of people who can advise you on specific problems and on next steps after your degree.

Expand Your
Knowledge

In addition to developing your leadership skills, you’ll have opportunities to expand your knowledge and feed your curiosity. You can tailor your McCall MacBain Scholar experience, selecting from a breadth of workshops and talks. You and your peers will help set the agenda for these activities and have the option to share your own savoir-faire with one another.

Eligible Degrees

You can apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship in 2024 if you are planning to apply for Summer / Fall 2025 admission to a full-time master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program at McGill University. The program must consist of 45 credits or more and take place primarily on McGill’s downtown or Macdonald campuses.

Master's Degrees

MA (Arts), MArch (Architecture), MATL (Arts in Teaching and Learning), MBA (Business Administration), MEd (Education), MEng (Engineering), MISt (Information Studies), MM (Management Analytics, Finance, Retail), MMus (Music), MPP (Public Policy), MSc (Science), MScA (Science, Applied), MScAPT (Science, Applied in Physical Therapy), MScAOT (Science, Applied in Occupational Therapy), MSW (Social Work), MUP (Urban Planning), LLM (Law), STM (Sacred Theology).

Second-Entry Professional Undergraduate Degrees

Graduate certificates, executive master’s programs (EMBA, IMHL), PhDs, and joint degree programs are examples of programs not covered by the McCall MacBain Scholarships. Qualifying-year students may apply at the start of their qualifying year for their upcoming master’s degree at McGill.

McGill Experience

McGill was named Canada’s best university and ranked #31st in the world, according to QS World University Rankings.

Montréal, #1 Student City

With its open and creative culture, exceptional quality of life, and excellent employment opportunities, Montréal is one of the top student destinations in the world.

Our city is vibrant, diverse, and multicultural, with over 100 languages spoken. While you don’t need to know French to study at McGill, you’ll often hear English and French used interchangeably when exploring Montréal’s diverse, colourful neighbourhoods.

It’s also an international hub, with direct flights available to 130+ cities worldwide, located in one of the safest countries in the world.

Montréal is known as Tiohtià:ke in Kanien’kéha, and Mooniyang in Anishinaabemowin.

130 Scholarships and Awards Available For 2025

Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholarships and 100 finalist and regional awards will be offered to candidates who distinguish themselves during the interview process for our 2025 cohort.

Canadian ApplicantsInternational Applicants
Including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and refugeesAny other citizenship or nationality
20 McCall MacBain Scholarships10 McCall MacBain Scholarships
30 Finalist Awards of $10,00025 Finalist Awards of $20,000
30 Regional Awards of $5,000
Tenable at any public university in Canada
15 Regional Awards of $10,000
Tenable at any public university in Canada

CANADIAN APPLICANTS
Including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and refugees

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

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Any other citizenship or nationality

  • 10 McCall MacBain Scholarships
  • 25 Finalist Awards of $20,000
  • 15 Regional Awards of $10,000, tenable at any public university in Canada

Up to 20 Canadians (citizens, permanent residents, and refugees) and 10 international candidates will be chosen as McCall MacBain Scholars for September 2023 admission.

Canadian applicants will be eligible for up to 30 Finalist Awards ($10,000) and up to 28 Regional Awards ($5,000). Finalist Awards may be used for full-time master’s or professional studies at McGill, while Regional Awards are tenable at any public university in Canada.

All other applicants, including U.S. applicants, are eligible for 20 International Finalist Awards ($20,000). The International Finalist Awards may be used for full-time master’s or professional studies at McGill.

30

McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill
(20 Canadian, 10 International)

50

Finalist Awards of $10,000 (Canadian) or $20,000 (International) each, for master’s or professional studies at McGill University

28

Regional awards of $5,000 each, for master’s or professional studies at any public university in Canada

Ready to explore new concepts and challenge yourself while working with a diverse cohort of fellow scholars?