University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026–2027 at the University of Toronto (U of T) offers a prestigious, fully funded graduate scholarship for talented African students who aspire to make a positive impact in their home countries. This life-changing opportunity is designed to empower future leaders committed to driving social and economic change in Africa through advanced education and community service.

The University of Toronto (U of T), located in Ontario, Canada, is one of the world’s leading public research universities, renowned for its academic excellence, innovation, and global impact. Established in 1827, it consistently ranks among the top universities globally for its world-class faculty, cutting-edge research facilities, and diverse academic programs across engineering, health sciences, business, social sciences, and the arts. With a vibrant international community and a commitment to solving global challenges, U of T provides students with transformative learning experiences and opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research that shapes the future.

The Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholarship at U of T is fully funded, covering all study-related and living costs:

• Full tuition fees
• Travel expenses to and from Canada
• Accommodation and meals
• Books and study materials
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Personal expenses allowance
• A two-week summer orientation program to help scholars adapt to life in Toronto and prepare for their return to Africa after graduation
• Access to an extensive academic and professional support network

This scholarship is open for graduate (master’s) level studies at the University of Toronto, Canada.

The Mastercard Foundation will award up to 20 scholarships across the following graduate programs:

• Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
• Master of Financial Insurance
• MHSc Master of Health Administration
• MHSc Master of Health Informatics
• MPH in Health Promotion
• MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health

1. Applicants must be citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries and currently residing in Africa.
2. They must also be graduates or final-year students of one of the Africa Health Collaborative partner universities, including:

• Addis Ababa University
• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
• African Leadership University
• Amref International University / Amref Health Africa
• Ashesi University
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
• Moi University
• University of Cape Town

Applicants must meet all six criteria below:

• Be a citizen and current resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.
• Be graduating or have graduated from a partner institution listed above.
• Be under 35 years of age.
• Have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities.
• Meet the academic admission requirements of one of the eligible graduate programs.
• Show a strong commitment to return home after graduation to contribute to Africa’s economic and social development.

The application process involves three main steps:

Step 1: Review Program Requirements

Visit the University of Toronto’s graduate program websites to confirm your eligibility for your desired program.

Step 2: Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

• Register for an information session and complete the online Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application.
• Deadline: Monday, November 3, 2025, at 12:00 PM (Toronto time).

Shortlisted applicants will be notified in early December 2025.

Step 3: Apply for Graduate Admission

• After receiving conditional approval for the scholarship, submit your official application to the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies (SGS) via its online portal. Follow all department-specific instructions and upload the required documents.