The McCall MacBain Scholarships 2027 in Canada offer an outstanding opportunity for students who want to pursue a fully funded master’s or eligible professional program at McGill University in Montreal.

The scholarship is designed for students with strong academic potential, leadership experience, community involvement, and a commitment to making a positive contribution to society.

For the 2027 cohort, applications are open in 2026. Importantly, applicants must submit a separate scholarship application before applying to compatible McGill programs. The scholarship application and McGill admission application are two different processes.

If you are looking for a fully funded study opportunity in Canada, the McCall MacBain Scholarship is worth considering because it can cover tuition and fees and provide financial support for living expenses.

McCall MacBain Scholarships 2027 – Quick Overview

The official scholarship program states that up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholarships and up to 100 finalist and regional awards are available for the 2027 cohort.

What Is the McCall MacBain Scholarship?

The McCall MacBain Scholarship is a leadership-focused scholarship at McGill University. It supports students pursuing eligible master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate programs while also providing opportunities for mentorship, interdisciplinary learning and community engagement.

Rather than focusing only on academic results, the program looks for candidates who demonstrate qualities such as leadership, character, community involvement, intellectual curiosity and a desire to create positive change.

The scholarship also provides a community of scholars, mentors and advisors who can help recipients develop their academic and professional goals.

What Does the McCall MacBain Scholarship Cover?

One of the major advantages of this opportunity is the level of financial support available to successful applicants.

1. Tuition and Fees

The scholarship covers tuition and fees for the normal duration of an eligible master’s or professional program at McGill University.

2. Monthly Living Stipend

Scholars receive a CAD $2,300 monthly living stipend during academic terms.

This support can help students manage expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation and other living costs while studying in Montreal.

3. Relocation Grant

A one-time relocation grant is available to help eligible scholars move to Montreal for their studies.

4. Summer Funding

Scholars who do not have an academic term during the summer may apply for up to CAD $5,000 to support a meaningful summer initiative.

5. Leadership and Mentorship

The scholarship is more than financial assistance. Scholars participate in an interdisciplinary leadership curriculum and have access to mentors and additional learning opportunities.

The program says its mentors include professionals from areas such as business, education, entrepreneurship, international development, law, health, public policy, research and nonprofit leadership.

Who Can Apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027?

For the 2027 cohort, applicants need to satisfy at least one of the following conditions:

• You are currently studying and are on track to complete your first bachelor’s degree by August 2027.
• You completed your first bachelor’s degree within the last five years, meaning January 2021 or later.
• You completed your first bachelor’s degree more than five years ago but were 30 years old or younger on January 1, 2026.

Applicants must also satisfy the minimum degree and language requirements for admission to their chosen McGill program.

International Students

International students are eligible to apply.

For the 2027 cohort, the program indicates that scholarships are available to both Canadian and international candidates. Up to 30 full McCall MacBain Scholarships are offered, including up to 10 for international students.

Being an international applicant does not automatically guarantee eligibility. You still need to meet the scholarship criteria and the admission requirements of the McGill program you intend to pursue.

Which Programs Are Eligible?

The scholarship is available for eligible full-time master’s and second-entry professional undergraduate programs at McGill University.

The program must generally consist of 45 credits or more and take place primarily at McGill’s downtown or Macdonald campuses.

Eligible master’s degree types include fields such as:

• Arts
• Architecture
• Education
• Business Administration
• Engineering
• Information Studies
• Management
• Music
• Public Policy
• Science
• Social Work
• Urban Planning
• Law
• Sacred Theology

The official scholarship website lists more than 150 fields of study across eligible degree types.

Second-Entry Professional Programs

Some eligible professional programs include:

• BCL/JD in Law
• DMD in Dentistry
• MDCM in Medicine

However, not every graduate or professional program at McGill is eligible.

For example, the scholarship program states that PhD programs, graduate certificates, executive master’s programs, part-time programs and certain joint-degree programs are not covered. Applicants should therefore verify that their intended program appears on the official eligible-program list before applying.

McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027 Application Deadlines

The deadline depends on the applicant’s circumstances.

International Applicants

Students and graduates of universities located outside Canada and the United States have a deadline of:

August 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Canadian and United States Applicants

Students and graduates of universities in Canada and the United States, as well as Canadians studying abroad, have a deadline of:

September 23, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Because deadlines can be easy to miss, applicants should verify their personal deadline on the official scholarship website before submitting an application.

McCall MacBain Scholarship Application Process

The application process involves several stages.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before starting an application, review the scholarship criteria and confirm that you meet at least one of the eligibility pathways.

You should also research the McGill programs that interest you and check their individual admission requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Your Scholarship Application

The scholarship application asks applicants to provide information about areas such as:

• Personal background
• Academic interests
• Career interests
• Activities and experiences
• References
• Essays and short answers
• Résumé
• Academic transcripts
• Other required information

The official application resources provide details about the materials required.

Step 3: Submit the McCall MacBain Application

The scholarship application is separate from the McGill University admission application.

Applicants should submit the scholarship application by the appropriate deadline. Two reference forms are also required.

Step 4: Apply to McGill University

Applicants must separately apply to an eligible McGill program.

The official timeline states that McGill applications generally take place between October and December 2026 for the 2027 admission cycle. Scholarship finalists must apply to McGill in December even if their intended program has a later application deadline.

Step 5: Regional Interviews

After the written application is assessed, more than 250 Canadian and international semi-finalists are expected to be invited to regional interviews.

These interviews are by invitation only.

Step 6: Final Interviews

Approximately 85 finalists are expected to be invited to final interviews in Montreal in March 2027.

The scholarship organization states that travel costs are covered for participation in these final interviews. Finalists may receive either a full scholarship or a finalist award.

Step 7: Begin Studies at McGill

Successful scholars are expected to begin their studies at McGill University in September 2027.

The 2027 cohort is expected to include up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars.

How to Make Your McCall MacBain Scholarship Application Stronger

The scholarship is competitive, so meeting the minimum eligibility requirements should not be considered enough.

1. Explain Your Leadership Experience

Leadership does not necessarily mean having a formal leadership position.

You can discuss situations where you:

• Organized a community project
• Led a student initiative
• Helped solve a problem
• Started a project
• Supported other people
• Contributed to an organization
• Created positive change in your community

Focus on what you actually did and what changed as a result.

2. Demonstrate Community Engagement

Think about activities outside the classroom that demonstrate your commitment to other people or your community.

Use specific examples instead of making general statements.

For example, rather than saying:

“I am passionate about helping my community.”

Explain what you did, who benefited, what challenges you faced and what you learned.

3. Connect Your Academic Goals With Your Future Plans

Explain why you want to study your chosen program at McGill and how the education will help you achieve your longer-term goals.

Your application should tell a coherent story:

Past experience → Current interests → McGill program → Future impact

4. Be Specific in Your Essays

Avoid filling your application with generic statements.

Specific examples can make your experiences easier for reviewers to understand.

5. Choose References Carefully

Your references should be people who know your work, character, leadership or academic abilities well enough to provide meaningful information about you.

Give your referees enough time to prepare their forms before the deadline.

Is the McCall MacBain Scholarship Fully Funded?

Yes, the McCall MacBain Scholarship is a full scholarship for eligible master’s and professional studies.

The core scholarship package includes tuition and fees, a CAD $2,300 monthly living stipend during academic terms and a one-time relocation grant. Eligible scholars may also apply for summer funding of up to CAD $5,000 for meaningful summer initiatives.

However, applicants should understand that “fully funded” does not necessarily mean every possible personal expense is automatically paid. Students should review the official scholarship terms and consider costs that may fall outside the scholarship package.

Why Study at McGill University?

McGill University is located in Montreal, Quebec, and is one of Canada’s best-known universities.

The McCall MacBain program combines academic study with leadership development, mentorship and interdisciplinary learning.

This combination can be particularly valuable for students who want their graduate education to include opportunities beyond traditional classroom study.

Montreal is also a multicultural city with both English and French widely used in daily life. McGill notes that students do not need to know French to study at the university, although applicants should always check the language requirements of their specific program.

Important Things Applicants Should Know

Before applying, keep these points in mind:

The scholarship application is not the same as the McGill application.

You need to complete the scholarship application and then apply separately to an eligible McGill program.

Not every McGill program is eligible.

Check the official eligible-program list before choosing your intended course.

Deadlines vary by applicant category.

International applicants currently have an August 19, 2026 deadline, while the Canada/United States category has a September 23, 2026 deadline.

Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee selection.

The scholarship is competitive and looks for candidates demonstrating qualities such as leadership potential, character, community engagement and academic strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the McCall MacBain Scholarship open to international students?

Yes. International students can apply. For the 2027 cohort, the program states that up to 10 of the 30 full McCall MacBain Scholarships are available to international candidates.

Is the scholarship fully funded?

Yes. The full scholarship covers tuition and fees for the normal duration of an eligible program and includes a CAD $2,300 monthly living stipend during academic terms, a relocation grant and potential summer funding.

Can undergraduate students apply?

Students who are on track to earn their first bachelor’s degree by August 2027 can meet one of the eligibility pathways. However, the scholarship is primarily for eligible master’s and second-entry professional programs at McGill.

Can PhD students apply?

No. PhD programs are listed among the programs not covered by the McCall MacBain Scholarships.

Do I need to apply to McGill separately?

Yes. The scholarship application is separate from the McGill admission application. Applicants must apply separately to an eligible McGill program.

What is the deadline for international applicants?

For the 2027 cohort, international applicants have until August 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time to submit the scholarship application.

What is the deadline for Canadian and U.S. applicants?

The deadline is September 23, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time for students and graduates of universities in Canada and the United States, as well as Canadians abroad.

How to Apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship 2027

Interested applicants should use the official McCall MacBain Scholarships application portal.

Official Scholarship Website:
McCall MacBain Scholarships – Official Website

Official Application Portal:
McCall MacBain Scholarship Application

Before submitting your application, carefully review the official eligibility criteria, eligible McGill programs and deadline applicable to your situation.

Final Thoughts

The McCall MacBain Scholarships 2027 in Canada represent a highly competitive opportunity for students seeking graduate or eligible professional studies at McGill University with substantial financial support.

The strongest applicants should not focus only on academic performance. The program places significant emphasis on leadership, character, community engagement, intellectual curiosity and the potential to contribute positively to society.

If you are eligible, start preparing early. Gather your transcripts, résumé and reference information, think carefully about your leadership and community experiences, and give yourself enough time to write thoughtful and specific application responses.

Most importantly, verify all deadlines and program requirements on the official McCall MacBain Scholarships and McGill University websites before applying, because requirements and dates can change.