McCall-MacBain Scholarship

Check Award Deadline

McCall-MacBain Scholarship enables students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University while connecting with mentors and participating in an intensive leadership development program. McCall MacBain Scholars are asked to bring an openness and commitment to learning from one another. As scholars, you’ll come together as a cohort during annual summer retreats, bi-weekly seminars, monthly speaker series, and connect with global thinkers through an annual Principal’s Lecture, workshops, and other events. All while studying in one of the world’s greatest multicultural and multilingual cities.

Award:The McCall MacBain Scholarship will cover your tuition and fees for an eligible master’s or second-entry professional undergraduate program at McGill and provide you with a living stipend of $2,000 per month during academic terms.

  • Tuition and fees for an eligible master’s or professional program
  • A living stipend of $2,000 per month during academic terms
  • A comprehensive enrichment program including mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and access to a global community.

Regional and finalist awards will also be offered to promising candidates throughout the selection process:

  • Up to 28 one-time regional entrance awards valued at $5,000 will be available for graduate study at any Canadian public university.
  • Up to 30 one-time finalist entrance awards valued at $10,000 will be available for graduate study at McGill University.

Concurrent support

McCall MacBain Scholars may accept up to $10,000 per year in additional merit-based funding. There is no limit to additional funding which McCall MacBain Scholars may accept based on financial need.

This financial support enables McCall MacBain Scholars to fully participate in the opportunities provided as part of this unique program.

 

The McCall-MacBain program gives you tools to:

  • Develop leadership skills
  • Connect with mentors and advisors
  • Expand your existing knowledge

As a McCall MacBain Scholarship applicant, you are eligible for additional awards. Close to 60 finalist and regional awards will be offered to candidates who distinguish themselves during the interview process.

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 program is looking for: (1) exceptional character, (2) community engagement, (3) leadership potential, (4) entrepreneurial spirit, and (5) academic strength and intellectual curiosity (in-depth criteria).

 

Eligibility

To apply, you must meet 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 at any point in 2024
  • You’re interested in applying for admission to an eligible full-time master’s or professional program at McGill University and meet the admission eligibility requirements

*Please note* While prior to 2023, the McCall MacBain was only available to Canadians, the scholarship is now open to people from around the world so long as they meet the other eligibility requirements.

How to apply

  • Review the McCall MacBain Scholarship Timeline 
  • Request Two (2) Letters of Recommendation 
    • Use the Recommender Name Submission Form to request letters 
    • *The McCall MacBain has specific requirements about who can write your letters. Please review those requirements on the application before selecting recommenders.* 
  • Apply for UNC Endorsement with the Application for UNC Endorsement Form 
    • Prepare and upload a single PDF that includes (in this order) 
      • Your CV 
      • The completed McCall MacBain application downloaded from the online portal 
      • All relevant unofficial transcripts 
  • *You must also apply directly to McGill for at least one eligible full-time master’s or professional program for Summer/Fall admission. You’ll need to apply by the program deadline or by mid-December at the latest if you are selected for final interviews.*

Application process

1. Review the McCall MacBain Scholarship Timeline

2. Create application in online portal

  • 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. Select and contact two referees

  • Applicants must select two referees to write letters of recommendation. The following are required:
    • One academic reference*
    • One community reference
  • Applicants must communicate submission instructions and deadline to their referees. Referees must submit their letters through the McCall MacBain online application portal by the application deadline.

*For business programs (e.g. MBA, MM), a professional reference can be submitted in lieu of an academic reference.

4. Order transcripts

5. Submit application materials

  • Applicants must submit their application materials through the McCall MacBain online application portal by the September application deadline. Applicants must click “finalize” in the application portal in order to submit.
  • The comprehensive online application is comprised of the following:
    • Several short essays
    • One-page resume/CCV
    • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, including UNC
    • 2 reference letters

Institutional Endorsement

Current students and recent graduates (those who graduated in the past two years) must earn an endorsement from their current/most recent institution. Applicants seeking endorsement through the University of North Carolina must finalize and submit their application through the McCall MacBain online application portal by the endorsement deadline.

UNC alumni who graduated in more that 2 years ago do not need institutional endorsement and should submit an application directly to the McCall MacBain scholarship selection committee via the online application portal.

All applicants will receive notification regarding whether they were selected for endorsement by the UNC’s Office of Distinguished Scholarship within two weeks of the endorsement deadline.

Application Material for UNC Review/Endorsement

Applicants seeking review and institutional endorsement from ODS can submit the following materials:

*You must create an account in order to access writing prompts and word count information.

Resources for applicants

James M. Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence
218 E. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 966-5110
honorscarolina@unc.edu