Scholarships and Awards

Travel and exchange scholarships are available through the Registrar’s Office. Applications are open January through March each year. 

• Travel awards: Apply if you’re participating in any global opportunity through McMaster, including the McMaster Exchange Program. 
• Exchange awards: Apply only if you’re going on an exchange through the McMaster Exchange Program. 

How to apply

• Login to AwardSpring using your McMaster email and password to access hundreds of scholarships.
• If you haven’t already, complete the quick General Application in AwardSpring to automatically match with awards you qualify for.
• Go to the “Dashboard” and select the Travel and Exchange scholarships from the “Follow-ups” section.
• Ensure you have selected ‘Planning to Travel’ in your AwardSpring profile for the current year to see all awards available.
• If unsure, awards can also be viewed via the Funds Finder tool, on the website of the Office of the Registrar.

The Global Experience Award (GEA) promotes global engagement opportunities and the development of intercultural competence and personal growth. The award provides funding to help offset the costs associated with international opportunities, such as in-person experiences that take place outside Canada, including opportunities for work and volunteering (i.e., co-ops, volunteer placements and internships), as well as service learning and leadership development (i.e., conference attendance/participation and job shadowing). The GEA also supports virtual opportunities that are global in scope, such as remote conference participation and virtual internships.

The award has been designed to be broad in its application. It aims to help make global experiential learning and international opportunities accessible to all students. The GEA is available to support eligible global experiences that may (or may not) be related to a student’s academic program or area of study.

A key priority of the GEA is to support students to pursue non-traditional, culturally immersive experiences in new geographic environments (either in-person or virtually), in which applicants have not already had significant experience.

Examples of the types of costs that the GEA is intended to help offset include, for example:

• International flights
• Travel/health insurance
• Vaccination fees
• Immigration requirements (i.e., visas/work authorization)
• Lodging and accommodation abroad
• Program/conference registration fees, etc.

GEA funding in not available to support Canada-based opportunities (either in-person or virtual) or to complete studies at a university abroad through an exchange program or Letter of Permission process.

GEA funding is directly tied to the duration of the proposed global experience, as follows:

• Up to $1,000 for a global experience of 30 days or less
• Up to $1,500 for a global experience lasting between 31 and 120 days
• Up to $2,000 for a global experience lasting 121 days or longer

How to apply

1. Do you meet the GEA qualifications?

You can apply for the GEA through AwardSpring. Access AwardSpring by logging into Mosaic and clicking the AwardSpring tile on the homepage. You will be prompted to sign in with your MacID and password. For more information on the AwardSpring process, visit the Office of the Registrar’s helpful scholarships and bursaries how-to guide, which includes a video.

In order to determine whether you meet the qualifications necessary to apply for the GEA, you must answer all qualifying questions in the General Application in AwardSpring. Students who satisfy the qualifications for the GEA will be able to see the applicable GEA application/s on their AwardSpring dashboard.

There are four types of GEA applications available on AwardSpring:

1. Global Experience Award for Non-Undergraduate
   Students
2. Global Experience Award for Undergraduate Students
3. The Global Experience Award for Virtual Opportunities for Non-Undergraduate Students
4. The Global Experience Award for Virtual Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

The following constitute the GEA qualifying questions that are part of the General Application in AwardSpring. After meeting these requirements, you should be able to see the applicable GEA application/s on your AwardSpring dashboard.

If you think you meet the above qualifications for the GEA but you do not see the applicable GEA application/s on your AwardSpring dashboard, you may need to revisit the General Application and update your answers. Alternatively, you can connect with the Registrar’s Office for support.

2. Do you meet all GEA eligibility criteria?

Note that being able to see a GEA application on your AwardSpring dashboard does not automatically mean that you are eligible to apply for the GEA.  In order to confirm your GEA eligibility, you must open the relevant GEA application in AwardSpring, read the GEA Application Guide (which is embedded within every GEA application in AwardSpring), complete all application questions and satisfy all application requirements.

The GEA Application Guide is your essential resource to understanding GEA eligibility requirements, application information and valuable details with respect to preparing a successful GEA application. You can request a copy of this document by emailing globalcareers@mcmaster.ca.

Please note that GEA eligibility (and a positive GEA decision) is only officially confirmed after the Global Experience Team at the Student Success Centre formally reviews, processes and approves each application, ensuring the availability of the requisite financial resources.

3. When to apply

Please keep in mind that there is a finite budget for GEA funding available each year. 

• FALL TERM (2025): FALL 2025 GEA applications will be open in AwardSpring from September 1 through to November 30, 2025. Please note that AwardSpring will close to receiving new FALL 2025 GEA applications on November 30, 2025, or once the fall GEA budget has been exhausted, whichever occurs first. You should plan to submit a FALL 2025 GEA application if you will be starting an eligible virtual or in-person global experience in fall 2025 or early winter 2026. 

• WINTER TERM (2026): WINTER 2026 GEA applications will be open in AwardSpring from January 1 through to March 31, 2026. AwardSpring will close to receiving new WINTER 2026 GEA applications on March 31, 2026, or once the winter GEA budget has been exhausted, whichever occurs first. You should plan to submit a WINTER 2026 GEA application if you will be starting an eligible virtual or in-person global experience in winter 2026 or spring/summer 2026. At this time, the SSC has not confirmed whether AwardSpring will open in May 2026 for the spring/summer term. Due to this, we encourage you to apply for the GEA using the WINTER 2026 application, to support spring/summer global opportunities, if all requirements can be met. 

• FALL TERM (2026): Each summer, the Student Success Centre determines the specific date on which AwardSpring will re-open to GEA applications for the fall term. Please note that this website will be updated prior to the start of the 2026 fall term.

4. Important considerations

GEA applications are processed in chronological order, based on date of receipt. Unfortunately, eligible applications may be denied if the Student Success Centre exhausts its available budget prior to processing a particular GEA application. Students are encouraged to apply for the GEA as soon as they are positioned to meet all application requirements.

Please note that fully complete GEA applications (for in-person global experiences only) must include all required supporting documentation, including fully signed liability documents, and adherence to all application requirements, including requirements with respect to Healix Global. If you travel abroad for your GEA experience without ensuring a fully complete GEA application, including all liability forms and application requirements, and we process your application while you’re outside Canada, your application for the GEA will be denied. There will not be an opportunity for you to update your application after travel has taken place.

All GEA applications must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the start of the applicable global experience. For in-person global opportunities, this means 30 days before the date of departure for the destination country. For virtual global experiences, this means 30 days prior to the start of the virtual global opportunity. 

Have questions?

If you have GEA questions or concerns at any time, we’re here to help!

Please feel free to email globalcareers@mcmaster.ca or schedule a GEA appointment with the SSC’s Global Experience Coordinator (see OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Appointments > Global Opportunities).

Get funding for your exchange. Reflect on your experience. Give back to the McMaster Exchange Program. These are just some reasons to apply for an Exchange Ambassador Award.

How it works

This award provides funding to support study/research abroad participants while creating an opportunity for self-reflection and skill-building following their global experience through participation in mandatory volunteer hours/programming. 

Eligibility Requirements

This award is competitive and not guaranteed. Preference will be given to first-time, outbound applicants who reflect the diversity of McMaster’s exchange partnerships, academic departments and student populations. 

Students enrolled in any undergraduate degree program who will be participating in study or research abroad programs beginning in May and beyond of the upcoming academic year are eligible to apply. 

Students agree to complete the noted volunteer hours upon return from their global learning experience. 

How to apply

You can apply for the Global Learning Ambassador Award through Award Spring. Access AwardSpring by logging into Mosaic and clicking the new AwardSpring tile on the homepage. You will be prompted to sign in with your MacID and password. For more information on the AwardSpring process, visit the Office of the Registrar’s helpful scholarships and bursaries how-to guide, which includes a video. 

Have questions?

Please contact us at macabroad@mcmaster.ca. We’re happy to help!

Outbound students receiving/applying for OSAP in the upcoming year must apply to OSAP as normal and upload OSAP Exchange Program Information form and supporting documents directly to their OSAP application.

How it works  

Each year the McMaster Exchange Program selects over a dozen universities from its semester abroad partnership list to fund with additional, automatic outbound grants.  

Eligibility 

If you are selected for a semester or year abroad experience through the McMaster Exchange Program at one of the eligible universities, you are automatically granted these funds, no application necessary. 

How to apply 

Grants range from $1,000 to $2,000. To find the list of funded universities, visit the MS Team for prospective students or start an exchange application in iCent (link found in MS Teams). 

How it works 

Exchange bursaries are non-repayable grants intended to assist students who otherwise would not be able to participate in exchange opportunities due to financial hardship.  

Allocation and bursary amounts are determined on the basis of financial need (will vary across applicants). 

How to apply 

Apply on AwardSpring before the end of April. 

We want you to have as many opportunities as possible to fund your global opportunity, so check out these scholarship programs offered by different organizations and institutions.

BUTEX Scholarship: United Kingdom

Every year, BUTEX awards scholarships to students studying abroad for either a semester or a whole academic year. These scholarships are available for North American students studying in the United Kingdom. The value of each scholarship is £500, which will be paid to the winners once they have arrived and registered at their host university.

Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada hosts an international business scholarship competition, created and designed to develop the next generation of globally-minded business leaders. This program offers up to 30 scholarships of $4,000 each year — 25 for outstanding undergraduate students in international business, and five for students in programs that combine business with environmental or sustainability studies.

DAAD Scholarships: Germany

Get funding for different opportunities in Germany, including academic study, professional training and development and more.

Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA) Toronto: Sweden

For over twenty years, the Toronto chapter of SWEA has offered travel scholarships to full-time students at Ontario universities with official exchange partnerships in Sweden. SWEA offers $3,000 to students who intend to study in Sweden for a full academic year. Students who are on a single-semester exchange can receive $1,500. Contact macabroad@mcmaster.ca for more information.

GoEuro Scholarship

GoEuro, a European travel company, offers three scholarships for students aiming to complete a study abroad program in Europe.

Through the McCall MacBain International Fellowship (MMIF) opportunity, you could spend one year immersing yourself in another culture: learning a new language, working and studying abroad. Up to 10 fellowships are available for McMaster students each year, valued at upwards of $30,000.

McCall MacBain International Fellowships include three terms abroad, in the non-English speaking country of your choice, to provide you with a well-rounded and fully-funded global experience. Twelve months are divided into three 4-month terms as follows:

• Language learning and homestay
• Academic study at a university abroad
• Work experience

This is a truly unparalleled opportunity to challenge yourself, grow in new directions, acquire global skills, and cultivate your independence and leadership aptitudes like never before.

If you feel like this opportunity could be for you:

• Consider attending an information session with the McCall MacBain Foundation. These sessions are typically held in October, November and December each year
• Email globalcareers@mcmaster.ca to chat further and learn about the full scope of services and resources available from the SSC’s Global Experience Coordinator to help you before and throughout the application process!

The Killam Fellowships Program provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students to spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the other country. The award covers a significant cost of the exchange, as well as health and travel allowance.

Universitas 21 is an international organization that connects students and staff at universities from 27 universities across the world. By participating in a summer study program through Universitas 21, you are likely eligible for tuition discounts and scholarships. These opportunities could help you save up to 70% on program fees.

The Freeman Family Foundation Bursary for study at Hebrew University

The Canadian Friends of Hebrew University (CFHU), with matching funds from the Ontario Student Opportunities Trust Fund (OSOTF), has established a Bursary for McMaster University students to study for a summer, semester, or academic year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Bursary Eligibility

• Graduate students who would benefit from study at Hebrew University to complete their thesis or pursue language work.
• Undergraduate students for a course of study at Hebrew University that is specifically related to their major or minor area of study at McMaster.
• Undergraduate students who wish to attend Hebrew University for general interest courses to be counted as elective study.

It’s important to make a budget that includes all your expenses, especially when you’re travelling abroad. The last thing you want is to miscalculate your finances and find that you’re out of money in the middle of your exchange or work term abroad.

Here are some general budgeting tips and strategies to keep your costs low while you’re abroad:

• Make rational weekly budgets.
• Expect to spend more money in the first week of your arrival than in the following weeks. Some initial costs include first and last month’s rent, housing supplies and so on.
• When it comes to food and necessities, search for less expensive alternatives and cook for yourself when possible.
• Set aside money for miscellaneous or unexpected costs.
• Set aside extra money for day trips, special occasions, festivals and so on. Remember, being budget-conscious doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!

Want to improve your budgeting skills?

Mac’s Money Centre’s budgeting resources can help. Take the time to understand your spending habits and work to reduce unnecessary costs — your future self will thank you!