The Mastercard Foundation is offering up to three doctoral scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. The award supports one specific program: the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). It is aimed squarely at recent alumni and graduating students from Africa Health Collaborative partner universities who have shown strong academic performance in health-related fields.
This is a full-support scholarship, meaning selected scholars won’t have to worry about tuition, travel, or day-to-day living costs while they study in Toronto. Beyond the money, the program builds in orientation and a support network designed to help scholars settle into graduate life in a new country and stay on track academically.
For African applicants, the standout feature is the give-back mission. The scholarship is explicitly for people who intend to return home and apply their public health expertise to Africa’s economic growth and social development — the last two years of the program are tied to that commitment.
Scholarship benefits
- Full financial support covering tuition for the duration of the professional program
- Travel expenses
- Housing, food, and books
- Other program-related expenses
- A comprehensive support network to help ensure academic success
- Orientation sessions to ease the transition into graduate life in Toronto and prepare scholars for their eventual return home
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ Be a citizen of, and currently residing in, a Sub-Saharan African country
- ✔ Have graduated from a partner institution of the Africa Health Collaborative
- ✔ Have not yet started graduate studies at the doctoral level
- ✔ Demonstrate academic excellence and leadership during your undergraduate and master’s studies
- ✔ Be academically admissible to the sponsored Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program
- ✔ Show a genuine desire and commitment to return home for the final two years of the program to contribute to Africa’s development
Application tips for African students
- Attend an info session — it’s mandatory. The source is clear that attending at least one of the three virtual information sessions is required for your application to be considered, and the actual application link is only shared there. Register early so you don’t miss it.
- Confirm you meet the DrPH admission requirements first. Step one is checking the academic requirements of the Doctor of Public Health program. Do this before investing time in the rest of the process.
- Verify your Africa Health Collaborative partner status. Only graduates of listed partner institutions qualify. Check the official list carefully rather than assuming your university is included.
- Build a strong give-back narrative. The scholarship rewards a clear commitment to returning home. Be specific about the public health problem you want to tackle and how your doctorate will help your community.
- Get documents ready early. Transcripts, degree certificates, and reference letters take time to gather and certify. Line up strong recommenders who know your academic and leadership record well in advance.
- Prepare for the two-stage timeline. Approval for the scholarship comes first; only shortlisted applicants are then invited to submit a full DrPH program application to Dalla Lana. Keep your materials ready so you can move quickly at each step.
- Note the Toronto (EST) time zone on deadlines. Submit ahead of the 11:59 p.m. EST cut-off, accounting for the time difference from your country.
How to apply
Applying is a multi-step process. First, review the admission requirements for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program to confirm you qualify. Next, register for and attend one of the three virtual information sessions — attendance at one session is mandatory, and the application form link is released during these sessions. Then complete the Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholarship application before the deadline. Applicants approved by the Scholarship Admission Committee are notified by email and invited to submit a full program application to the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, which will provide the specific department requirements and dates. For full details, visit the official page: 2026-2027 Doctor of Public Health Scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for this scholarship?
Citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country who currently reside there, have graduated from an Africa Health Collaborative partner institution, have not yet begun doctoral studies, and are academically admissible to the DrPH program.
What does the scholarship cover?
It provides full financial support for tuition, travel, housing, food, books, and other expenses for the duration of the program, plus a support network and orientation sessions.
What program does it fund?
Up to three scholarships are awarded for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
Is attending an information session really required?
Yes. According to the source, attending at least one of the three virtual info sessions is mandatory, and the application form link is only shared during these sessions.
What is the deadline?
The stated deadline is October 10, 2026. Note that the step-by-step instructions in the source reference 2025 dates (submission by October 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST), so confirm the exact cycle dates on the official page before applying.
Is there a return-home requirement?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to returning home for the final two years of the program to contribute to Africa’s economic growth and social development.