Overview & Description
If you are an African health professional or recent graduate of an Africa Health Collaborative partner institution looking to advance into top-tier health leadership, securing full doctoral funding can be a monumental challenge. Many public health practitioners struggle to access global research networks while staying grounded in local African health solutions. This specialized doctoral scholarship at the University of Toronto (U of T) bridges that exact gap—offering complete financial freedom to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree while explicitly supporting your long-term impact back home.
Quick Summary: The University of Toronto, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is accepting applications for the Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholarship 2027-2028. Specifically supporting the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, at least 7 doctoral scholars will receive full financial coverage for tuition, accommodation, airfare, research expenses, and living stipends.
| 📅 Application Deadline | Scholarship Application: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 11:59 PM EST |
| 📍 Location / Host | University of Toronto (Dalla Lana School of Public Health), Canada |
| 💰 Value / Perks | Fully Funded (Tuition + Housing + Food + Flights + Books + Full Support Network) |
| 🏢 Category | Scholarships |
Overview / What This Opportunity Entails
The Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholarship at U of T is designed to train transformative leaders in public health who are committed to returning to Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen local health systems and promote economic growth.
Selected scholars will undertake the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. The program combines rigorous academic coursework in Toronto with applied field research, including a mandatory requirement to spend the final two years of the program conducting fieldwork and research in their home countries.
Core Details & Key Responsibilities / Benefits
Selected Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholars receive a comprehensive funding and institutional support package:
- Full Tuition Coverage: 100% payment of international graduate tuition and academic fees for the duration of the DrPH program.
- Living & Accommodation Support: Full financial coverage for housing, food, textbooks, and monthly living expenses.
- Travel & Relocation: Round-trip international airfare between your home country and Toronto, alongside entry visa support.
- Orientation & Mentorship: Access to specialized orientation sessions to ease the transition into graduate life in Toronto, peer mentoring, and global alumni networks.
Self-Qualification: Do You Match the Profile?
Review these mandatory eligibility criteria before submitting your application:
- Institutional Affiliation: Must be a recent graduate or graduating student from an Africa Health Collaborative partner university.
- Regional Residence: Must be a citizen and current resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Academic & Doctoral Status: Must hold relevant undergraduate and Master’s credentials with demonstrated academic excellence, and must not have already started doctoral studies.
- Mandatory Information Session: Must register and attend at least one (1) official virtual information session prior to applying.
- Return Commitment: Clear commitment to return to your home country for the final two years of the program to contribute to local health systems and socio-economic development.
Key Program Timeline
| Stage | Date |
| Mandatory Info Session Attendance | August – September 2026 (Required prior to applying) |
| Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 October 2026 (11:59 PM EST) |
| Shortlist Notifications | Late October 2026 |
| Official U of T DrPH Program Deadline | 20 November 2026 (Shortlisted candidates only) |
AI Application Prompts (Use ChatGPT / Claude)
Copy and paste these custom AI prompts to quickly draft your application materials:
- Prompt 1: Statement of Intent / Commitment to Return“Act as an expert global health academic advisor. I am applying for the Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Scholarship at the University of Toronto. Based on my background in [insert your public health discipline, e.g., epidemiology, health policy, infectious diseases], draft a compelling 300-word statement explaining my academic background, leadership experience, and how my research will strengthen health sovereignty when I return to Sub-Saharan Africa.”
- Prompt 2: Public Health Leadership Essay Outline“Help me structure my essay for the University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. Create a 4-section outline covering: 1) A systemic public health challenge in my home region, 2) My demonstrated leadership solution to date, 3) How the DrPH curriculum at U of T equips me to address this issue, and 4) My concrete plan for my final two years of field research in Africa.”
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
Follow these sequential application steps to submit your package:
- Check Program Academic Requirements: Review the admission criteria for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at U of T.
- Attend Required Info Session: Register for and attend at least one mandatory virtual information session to receive the official scholarship application link.
- Submit Scholarship Application (Deadline: 1 October 2026): Complete the online scholarship form and upload all supporting documents before 11:59 PM EST.
- Submit Formal U of T Faculty Application (If Shortlisted): Shortlisted candidates notified in late October must complete the formal admission application to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health by 20 November 2026.
How to Submit Your Application
Click the Apply Now button below to access the official portal and submit your details directly.
If you are an African health professional or recent graduate of an Africa Health Collaborative partner institution looking to advance into top-tier health leadership, securing full doctoral funding can be a monumental challenge. Many public health practitioners struggle to access global research networks while staying grounded in local African health solutions. This specialized doctoral scholarship at the University of Toronto (U of T) bridges that exact gap—offering complete financial freedom to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree while explicitly supporting your long-term impact back home.
Quick Summary: The University of Toronto, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is accepting applications for the Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholarship 2027-2028. Specifically supporting the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, at least 7 doctoral scholars will receive full financial coverage for tuition, accommodation, airfare, research expenses, and living stipends.
| 📅 Application Deadline | Scholarship Application: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 11:59 PM EST |
| 📍 Location / Host | University of Toronto (Dalla Lana School of Public Health), Canada |
| 💰 Value / Perks | Fully Funded (Tuition + Housing + Food + Flights + Books + Full Support Network) |
| 🏢 Category | Scholarships |
Overview / What This Opportunity Entails
The Mastercard Foundation Graduate Scholarship at U of T is designed to train transformative leaders in public health who are committed to returning to Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen local health systems and promote economic growth.
Selected scholars will undertake the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. The program combines rigorous academic coursework in Toronto with applied field research, including a mandatory requirement to spend the final two years of the program conducting fieldwork and research in their home countries.
Core Details & Key Responsibilities / Benefits
Selected Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholars receive a comprehensive funding and institutional support package:
- Full Tuition Coverage: 100% payment of international graduate tuition and academic fees for the duration of the DrPH program.
- Living & Accommodation Support: Full financial coverage for housing, food, textbooks, and monthly living expenses.
- Travel & Relocation: Round-trip international airfare between your home country and Toronto, alongside entry visa support.
- Orientation & Mentorship: Access to specialized orientation sessions to ease the transition into graduate life in Toronto, peer mentoring, and global alumni networks.
Self-Qualification: Do You Match the Profile?
Review these mandatory eligibility criteria before submitting your application:
- Institutional Affiliation: Must be a recent graduate or graduating student from an Africa Health Collaborative partner university.
- Regional Residence: Must be a citizen and current resident of a Sub-Saharan African country.
- Academic & Doctoral Status: Must hold relevant undergraduate and Master’s credentials with demonstrated academic excellence, and must not have already started doctoral studies.
- Mandatory Information Session: Must register and attend at least one (1) official virtual information session prior to applying.
- Return Commitment: Clear commitment to return to your home country for the final two years of the program to contribute to local health systems and socio-economic development.
Key Program Timeline
| Stage | Date |
| Mandatory Info Session Attendance | August – September 2026 (Required prior to applying) |
| Scholarship Application Deadline | 1 October 2026 (11:59 PM EST) |
| Shortlist Notifications | Late October 2026 |
| Official U of T DrPH Program Deadline | 20 November 2026 (Shortlisted candidates only) |
AI Application Prompts (Use ChatGPT / Claude)
Copy and paste these custom AI prompts to quickly draft your application materials:
- Prompt 1: Statement of Intent / Commitment to Return“Act as an expert global health academic advisor. I am applying for the Mastercard Foundation Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Scholarship at the University of Toronto. Based on my background in [insert your public health discipline, e.g., epidemiology, health policy, infectious diseases], draft a compelling 300-word statement explaining my academic background, leadership experience, and how my research will strengthen health sovereignty when I return to Sub-Saharan Africa.”
- Prompt 2: Public Health Leadership Essay Outline“Help me structure my essay for the University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. Create a 4-section outline covering: 1) A systemic public health challenge in my home region, 2) My demonstrated leadership solution to date, 3) How the DrPH curriculum at U of T equips me to address this issue, and 4) My concrete plan for my final two years of field research in Africa.”
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
Follow these sequential application steps to submit your package:
- Check Program Academic Requirements: Review the admission criteria for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at U of T.
- Attend Required Info Session: Register for and attend at least one mandatory virtual information session to receive the official scholarship application link.
- Submit Scholarship Application (Deadline: 1 October 2026): Complete the online scholarship form and upload all supporting documents before 11:59 PM EST.
- Submit Formal U of T Faculty Application (If Shortlisted): Shortlisted candidates notified in late October must complete the formal admission application to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health by 20 November 2026.
How to Submit Your Application
Click the Apply Now button below to access the official portal and submit your details directly.