Program Overview
Program Overview
Leading with Purpose
The McCall MacBain Scholarships are about much more than financial support. We believe in the power of community and provide scholars with opportunities to develop as interdisciplinary leaders in a complex world. 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 McCall MacBain Scholars will go on to work on a broad range of challenges in different sectors, they share a vision for becoming leaders who serve others with integrity and humility, who are committed to continual learning and bridge-building, and who take bold, meaningful risks.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Learn from peers with a variety of lived experiences and academic paths
Join a Community
Making Positive Change
McCall MacBain Scholars, pursue a funded master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program at McGill University while participating in an interdisciplinary leadership program.
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition and fees for the full normal duration of the master’s or professional program
- A living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms
- A one-time relocation grant for moving to Montréal
- Beginner to advanced French language courses offered through McGill
Scholars not pursuing an academic term during the summer may apply for up to $5,000 to pursue meaningful summer initiatives.
Leadership Development
As part of an interdisciplinary cohort, scholars learn to tackle complex challenges and deepen their impact through a leadership skills development curriculum. Scholars participate in annual summer retreats, bi-weekly seminars, supplemental programming, field trips, and other events. They also have the opportunity to engage with Indigenous history, culture, and worldviews through sessions and one-on-ones led by our Elder-in-residence and other speakers. Together, they develop their understanding of themselves, of others, and of the systems that affect us all.
Some examples of seminars and workshops include:
- Strategic planning
- Crisis communication
- Entrepreneurial leadership
- Political decision-making
- Public speaking
In their second year, scholars travel to another part of Quebec or Canada to engage in place-based learning. Recent destinations have included:
- Quebec City
- Winnipeg
- Vancouver
Mentors & Coaches
Every scholar is matched with an experienced mentor, an executive coach, and advisors. During the academic year, these individuals will challenge scholars to reach their goals and help them set new ones. They can also introduce scholars to a broader network of people who can advise them on specific problems and on next steps after their degree.
Mentors are selected for their distinguished careers in fields relevant to our scholars’ interests. Since 2021, more than 100 leaders have served as mentors to McCall MacBain Scholars.
Who are our mentors?
- Business executives
- Educators and academics
- Entrepreneurs
- International development executives
- Legal experts
- Health professionals
- Non-profit executives
- Public policy experts
- Researchers at multinational companies
- Social finance leaders
- University presidents
Community Hub
The McCall MacBain House, conveniently located at the entrance of McGill’s downtown campus, provides space for scholars to gather, study, learn, and collaborate. It includes access to meeting rooms and a kitchen. Scholars attend bi-weekly leadership seminars and workshops at the McCall MacBain House. Here, they can also participate in supplemental activities to enhance their learning and well-being.
Examples of supplemental activities include:
- Lunch & learns for peer-to-peer knowledge exchange
- Yoga and meditation
- Creative or fun activities
Develop Your
Leadership Skills
Scholars explore different approaches to leadership during bi-weekly seminars.
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.
Connect with
Mentors and Advisors
Meaningful connections are at the heart of the scholar experience.
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.
Connect with
Mentors and Advisors
Meaningful connections are at the heart of the scholar experience.
Mentors and 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.
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.
Build
Community
Learn from peers with a variety of lived experiences and academic paths.
Community
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.
Expand Your
Knowledge
Develop Your
Leadership Skills
Connect with
Mentors & Advisors
Expand Your
Knowledge
You can apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship in 2025 if you are planning to apply for Summer / Fall 2026 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, IMPM), PhDs, part-time programs (e.g. GMSCM) 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.
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.
Up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholarships and 100 finalist and regional awards will be offered to candidates who distinguish themselves during the interview process.
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