We are pleased to announce the start of the 2026-2027 Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship recruitment at the University of Toronto. This scholarship opportunity is open to recent alumni and graduating students at our Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. These graduate scholarships will be awarded to those individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in the associated health-related disciplines and a personal commitment to going back and giving back to their home countries at the completion of their degree.
The Award
This fully comprehensive scholarship provides full financial assistance for tuition, travel expenses, housing, food, books, and other expenses for the duration of the professional program. In addition to financial support, scholars will be provided with a comprehensive support network to ensure academic success. Furthermore, each scholar will participate in a two-week summer orientation program designed to fully engage them from the start of their graduate studies and to ease their transition to life as a graduate student in Toronto.
Graduate Programs
Up to 20 Mastercard Foundation scholarships will be awarded for the 2026-2027 academic year, split across the following graduate programs:
- Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
- Master of Financial Insurance
- MHSc Master of Health Administration
- MHSc Master of Health Informatics
- MPH: Health Promotion
- MPH: Occupational and Environmental Health
Please keep in mind when considering your program of study that you meet all the program requirements. Also, please remember that it is your motivation for choosing your field, as well as your career goals and aspirations of giving back to Africa, that will help determine your eligibility for the scholarship.
Eligibility Assessment:
Applicants MUST meet the following six eligibility criteria:
- Be a citizen and currently residing in a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Be graduating or have graduated from a partner institution of the Africa Health Collaborative (listed here) and have not yet started studies at the graduate level.
- Be under 35 years of age
- Demonstrate academic excellence and leadership qualities during his/her undergraduate years.
- Be academically admissible to one of the sponsored graduate programs listed above.
- Demonstrate a desire and commitment to return home following graduation to contribute to the ongoing economic growth and social development in Africa.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Step One
Prospective applicants must first consult the admission requirements for their chosen program of study. The links above will guide you in exploring these different programs. If you meet the academic requirements of your program of interest, please follow through to step two.
Step Two
Sign up to attend a scholarship information session and complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application. Deadline for submission of the completed application and receipt of all required attachments is Monday, November 3, 2025, at 12 noon (Toronto time).
If your application for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship meets all criteria and is approved by the Scholarship Admission Committee, you will receive an email to move forward to step three. These notifications to successful applicants will be made in early December.
Info Session 1:
October 14th, 2025 at 9 am EST | 1 pm GMT I 3 pm CAT I 4 pm EAT
Info Session 2:
October 14th, 2025 at 12 pm EST I 4 pm GMT I 6 pm CAT I 7 pm EAT
Step Three
Begin your graduate application to the department/program of your interest from the University of Toronto, School of Graduate Studies website. The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is the central location for graduate applications at the university. Each department and program area will inform you as to the specific requirements of their department and provide you with subsequent dates for the submission of supplementary information. This is an online process that will require you to upload documents to your application. Follow the instructions of your prospective department once you receive them.
Please direct any questions to the University of Toronto’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: mcf.cie@utoronto.ca
Read about alumni of this program:

From Bedside to Big Data: A Nurse’s Transition to Health Informatics
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the intersection of clinical expertise and technological innovation is where the most significant impacts are made. My journey from nursing to health informatics is a testament to this shift—a journey that began with hands-on patient care and led me to the forefront of digital health solutions. This transition wasn’t […]

Displaced into Purpose: From Kakuma Refugee Camp to the World Health Organization
This is the story of a young person’s journey from Kakuma Refugee Camp to the WHO – showing how lived experience can drive innovation in global health My name is Kuol Maper Alier. I was born in South Sudan, but my early life was shaped by displacement, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. I […]
More News & Events
Skip scroller content
Health Innovation Festival 2026 Opens in Ghana with a Call for Collaboration, Innovation, and Investment
HIFest 2026 brings together emerging entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and health-sector leaders from across Africa and beyond to explore locally driven solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing healthcare challenges

Inside HIFest 2026: Meet the 37 Ventures Shaping the Future of Health in Africa
These African-led ventures represent some of the most promising health innovations advancing primary healthcare, entrepreneurship, and health systems strengthening across the continent.

Africa’s Young Health Innovators Need More Than a Stage
HIFest is the nexus where Africa’s young health innovators turn their bold and transformative ideas into huge impacts. Here’s an opportunity to fuel the future of Africa’s healthcare system.

Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness through WASH and Infection Prevention
Join two IPC and WASH experts as they share practical approaches to strengthening healthcare systems through sustainable WASH services and robust IPC measures.
Road to HIFest 2026: Winning Innovations from AfyaFest 2025
As preparations begin for HIFest 2026 in Accra, Ghana, this June, jointly hosted by Ashesi University and KNUST, we celebrate the 2025 winning innovators advancing equitable primary healthcare access across the continent.

Health Innovation Festival 2026 Heads to Accra, Ghana this June
The future of healthcare in Africa will be shaped by young innovators, bold partnerships, and locally driven solutions — and the Health Innovation Festival (HIFest 2026) – formerly AfyaFest, aims to bring all three together in one dynamic continental gathering. This flagship innovation event of the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) will take place in Accra, Ghana, from June 4-6, 2026. Co-hosted by two of Ghana’s leading universities — Ashesi University […]

Leveraging Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and AI Innovations to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery in Ghana
Join policymakers, health practitioners, and digital health innovators to learn valuable lessons on applying data-driven approaches in real-world health system contexts.

#IWD2026: Give to Gain—The Ripple Effect of Investing in Women Leaders in Global Health
Read about how fellows from the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship are leading and strengthening health systems across Africa.

FemSTEM Africa 2026: Kickoff Event & Panel
Join Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) & U of T on Tuesday, March 31 as we kickoff the FemSTEM Africa 2026 event series!

Program Manager, Africa Health Collaborative
Apply for the Program Manager role at the Africa Health Collaborative. Closing date is March 20, 2026.
