About the opportunity
The Mastercard Foundation graduate scholarship at the University of Toronto is designed for recent alumni and graduating students from Africa Health Collaborative partner universities. This doctoral scholarship supports the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program, aiming to empower individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in health-related disciplines and a strong commitment to returning to their home countries to contribute to economic growth and social development. Scholars receive comprehensive financial support and a support network to ensure academic success, including orientation sessions to facilitate their transition to life in Toronto and preparation for their eventual return to Africa.
Funding and benefits
- Full financial support for tuition
- Coverage of travel expenses
- Coverage of housing and food costs
- Coverage of books and other program-related expenses
- Comprehensive support network for academic success
- Orientation sessions to assist with transition and professional preparation
Who can apply?
- Must be a citizen of and currently residing in a Sub-Saharan African country
- Must be a graduate of an Africa Health Collaborative partner institution
- Must not have yet started graduate studies at the doctoral level
- Must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership qualities during undergraduate and master's studies
- Must be academically admissible to the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at the University of Toronto
- Must demonstrate a commitment to return home for the last two years of the program to contribute to Africa's development
Required documents
- Application form for the Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
- Supplementary information as required by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health
- Program application for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at the University of Toronto
When to apply
- Information Session 1: August 25, 2026
- Information Session 2: August 31, 2026
- Information Session 3: September 4, 2026
- Question and Answer Session: September 16, 2026
- Scholarship application deadline: October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
- Program application deadline: November 20, 2026
How to apply
- Consult the admission requirements for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program
- Register for and attend at least one mandatory information session
- Complete the Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholarship application (link provided during info sessions)
- Await notification from the Scholarship Admission Committee by late October 2026
- If shortlisted, complete the program application to the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health by November 20, 2026
Additional information
- At least 7 scholarships will be awarded for the 2027-2028 academic year.
- Attendance at one information session is mandatory for application consideration.
- Questions should be directed to the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health at globalhealth.dlsph@utoronto.ca.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Citizens of and current residents in a Sub-Saharan African country who are recent alumni or graduating students from Africa Health Collaborative partner universities.
- Individuals with demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities during undergraduate and master's studies.
- Candidates academically admissible to the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at the University of Toronto who are committed to returning home for the last two years of the program.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must attend at least one mandatory information session to be considered for scholarship application.
- Scholars must commit to returning to their home country for the final two years of the program to contribute to local development.
- The application process requires completing both a scholarship application and a separate program application to the University of Toronto by specific deadlines.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fully funded doctoral scholarship fits African public health professionals aiming to pursue advanced global health training in Toronto before returning to drive economic and social development in their home regions.
Our take
Qualified graduates from Africa Health Collaborative partner institutions committed to regional development should seriously apply, while those unable to satisfy the home-country return commitment should look elsewhere.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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