Application Deadline:
13 January 2026
About Organisation
The McCall MacBain Foundation is dedicated to improving the welfare of humanity by investing in education, leadership development, and evidence-based solutions to pressing global challenges. The foundation funds initiatives that cultivate transformational leadership, promote equitable access to education, and advance climate and health outcomes. Established with a mission to empower individuals to create meaningful change, the Foundation supports scholars and programs that foster compassion, critical thinking, and community service. Its approach integrates philanthropy with strategic, long-term impact, ensuring that each investment nurtures future leaders equipped to address complex issues in an interconnected world. Through various scholarship and fellowship opportunities, the McCall MacBain Foundation emphasizes learning through experience, cross-cultural understanding, and resilience. By empowering young people with the skills and values needed for ethical leadership, it continues to shape a generation of globally minded changemakers who can contribute to sustainable progress and inclusive growth.
About the Grant
The McCall MacBain International Fellowships offer a transformative year-long global experience for Canadian undergraduate students. The fellowship encourages participants to expand their worldview, develop intercultural competencies, and step beyond their comfort zones. Fellows spend a year abroad divided into three immersive phases — language learning, academic study, and professional experience. The program begins with an intensive language term, allowing fellows to live with host families, volunteer locally, and learn a new language. During the academic term, fellows enroll in a full course load at a host university, taking courses in their new language. The final phase involves a full-time, paid internship or work placement that builds practical skills and global insight. Fellows engage deeply with local communities to understand new cultures, strengthen adaptability, and gain diverse academic and professional perspectives. The program’s goal is to foster creativity, independence, and leadership while promoting responsible global citizenship.
Who can Apply?
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, aged 19–24 on January 1 of the application year. They must be enrolled full-time in a first-entry undergraduate program at McGill University, McMaster University, Dalhousie University, or the University of Manitoba, or be current recipients of the MacBain Niagara Falls or McCall Huron County scholarships. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 (8.0 for McMaster University) is required. Eligible candidates should have completed at least three academic terms before departure for four-year degree programs, or two terms for shorter programs. Applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with their institution. Importantly, candidates should not have previously undertaken an independent international experience lasting eight months or longer in a different language or culture within the past three years. The fellowship seeks individuals with curiosity, cultural openness, resilience, and a willingness to engage deeply with new environments. It is ideal for students ready to immerse themselves in learning, volunteering, and professional work abroad, while building leadership and intercultural understanding.
How to Apply?
Interested candidates must complete the online application form, which includes providing academic details, a personal statement, and supporting documents such as transcripts and recommendation letters. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities, and a strong motivation for intercultural learning. The application process may include interviews to assess readiness for the fellowship’s international and experiential components.
Application Deadline
Applications for the McCall MacBain International Fellowships must be submitted by 13 January 2026. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered under any circumstances.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
