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.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Global Experience Award is now closed. If you have applied for the award and did not receive notification of your application outcome, please email globalcareers@mcmaster.ca.

The Global Experience Award will be undergoing review during Spring/Summer 2026. More information about the award for the 2026-2027 academic year will be posted on this page as soon as it becomes available.

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!