The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill have announced 91 finalists for the class of 2026, reflecting the graduate program’s expanding international reach.
They include 53 Canadians from 31 cities, ranging from Sydney, N.S., to Yellowknife, N.W.T., and 38 international students from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Some will travel more than 10,000 kilometres to attend final interviews in Montreal in March.
Newly represented countries include Barbados, Hungary, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka. Collectively, the finalists have applied to 70 different master’s and professional programs at McGill.
“We aim to support emerging leaders who demonstrate integrity, kindness, curiosity and courage,” said Marcy McCall MacBain, chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “These students have already shown remarkable promise in their communities.”
Established through a landmark $200-million gift to McGill in 2019, the McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based awards for graduate study.
Finalists selected from a global pool
Applicants this year came from more than 2,300 universities worldwide. Of those, 280 advanced to first-round interviews held in October and November 2025. The final 91 were selected for their leadership potential, academic strength and commitment to community engagement.
Finalists invited to Montreal will take part in two days of interviews, along with campus visits, city tours and enrichment activities. Travel and accommodation costs are covered.
Up to 20 Canadians and 10 international students will be named McCall MacBain Scholars. Award recipients receive full tuition, a $2,300 monthly living stipend during academic terms, summer funding options and a relocation grant. Scholars also participate in an interdisciplinary leadership program, receive mentorship and coaching and have access to the McCall MacBain House on campus.
From the North and from overseas
Among this year’s finalists is Hillary Huynh, the first student from the Northwest Territories to reach this level of the competition.
Huynh, a first-generation university student and graduate of UBC Okanagan, said the recognition reflects both her personal journey and the support of her community.
“I feel incredibly honoured and deeply grounded,” Huynh said. “This opportunity affirms the power of community, perseverance and representation. I’m profoundly grateful to those who believed in me, and I carry my roots with me as I work to open doors for others from the North.”
Huynh founded the Stork Foundation to support northern families through baby bundles, sanitation packages and gardening kits. She has worked throughout her studies, runs a jewellery business, competed in badminton at the 2023 Canada Games and has been admitted to McGill’s law program.
International finalists include Mark Virgil Jamer, who works with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines. Jamer leads enterprise development under the country’s national reforestation program and co-founded Rise Rural Philippines, which developed solar-powered backpacks for rural health workers. He is also the co-founder and CEO of GamifiED, a social enterprise promoting agricultural careers, and is applying to graduate programs in agricultural economics and public policy at McGill.
Finalists who are not selected as scholars remain eligible for awards of $10,000 or $20,000 if they enrol at McGill. An additional 60 students received regional awards of $5,000 or $10,000 to support further study at McGill or another Canadian university.
Natasha Sawh, CEO of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, said more than 300 leaders volunteered their time to the selection process.
“The interviews provide candidates with space for meaningful reflection,” Sawh said. “We hope they leave with a stronger sense of their leadership potential and the impact they can have in strengthening communities.”
The names of the finalists are available on the McCall MacBain Scholarship website.