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Graduate Studies

Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships

The Mackenzie King Scholarships were established as an independent charitable trust under the will of the late Rt. Hon. William Mackenzie King (1874-1950).

Two classes of Mackenzie King Scholarship are available. Both are to support graduate study by graduates of Canadian universities. Those whose previous degrees are from outside Canada are ineligible to apply, notwithstanding that they seek support for doing graduate studies in Canada.

 Value of Awards

  • • The Open Scholarship (1 award) has been recently valued around $13,000. Exact value for 2025-26 has not been confirmed and is subject to change. The scholarship is for one year only and is not renewable.
  • • The Travelling Scholarship (4 awards) has been recently valued around $15,000. Exact value for 2025-26 has not been confirmed and is subject to change. The scholarship is for one year only and is not renewable.

Quota of applications that can be submitted by McMaster University

  • 2 for the Open Scholarship category
  • 2 for the Travelling Scholarship category

Eligibility

  • Applications must be made to the School of Graduate Studies of your home university. This is the Canadian university from which you most recently graduated or at which you are currently enrolled.
  • You must:
    • Be a graduate (holder of a degree) of a Canadian university when tenure of the scholarship begins.
    • Demonstrate a minimum grade of “A” (11/12, 85%, 3.85/4.00) in every undergraduate and graduate course completed to date.
  • Note: International students are eligible to apply, but they must already hold a Canadian degree. If the graduate study being pursued is their first Canadian degree, they are not eligible.

 The Open Scholarship is open to:

  • Graduates of any Canadian university who engage in (commencing or continuing) graduate studies (master’s or doctoral) in any field, in Canada or elsewhere.

The Travelling Scholarship is open to:

  • Graduates of any Canadian university who engage (commencing or continuing) in graduate studies (master’s or doctoral) in the United States or the United Kingdom, in the field of international relations or industrial relations (including the international or industrial aspects of law, history, politics, and economics).The Selection Committee in the past has interpreted “international relations” broadly, as encompassing a program in any discipline, as long as the topic is substantially concerned with the relationship between nations.

 Selection Criteria

The primary criterion is the strength of the applicant’s university academic record. Personal qualities, demonstrated aptitudes, and the proposed program of study are also taken into account.

Application instructions for students

 The School of Graduate Studies deadline is Monday, February 3, 2025.

Each applicant must submit a complete application (excluding the reference letters) by using the application MacDrive upload link.

A complete application includes:

  1. The completed and signed application form.
  2. Supplementary information on academic achievements and experience (attach as Sheet ‘A’ to application). Sheet ‘A’ can be more than one page.
    The supplementary information must include:

    1. Any undergraduate and graduate awards received including the name, years of tenure and the annual value
    2. Any work experience, professional, business, related to field of study
    3. Any publications relevant to field of study
  3. Personal Statement describing academic interests, extracurricular activities, program of studies intended to pursue, and outline of career plans in 600 words or less (attach as Sheet ‘B’ to application). Your statement must be readily understandable by those outside of your discipline.
  4. Copies of official transcripts of marks and other academic records from each university you have attended.

Reference Letters

The confidential reference letters must be submitted directly by the referee by using the reference letter MacDrive upload link. The letter should have the following file name: APPLICANT’S LAST NAME_Mackenzie Ref Ltr

Three letters of reference from persons who have an intimate knowledge of your record and ability and are able to give a critical evaluation of your plans for graduate study. The letters of reference must be on letterhead, signed, and must clearly indicate the name and contact information of the referee.

Notification and submission

Applicants moving forward to the national competition will be notified by The School of Graduate Studies by Monday, March 17, 2025.

Please note that applications sent directly to the Board by applicants will not be considered.

 Final submission to the Board of Scholarship Trustees

Recommended applications will be forwarded to the national competition by Thursday, May 1, 2025.

NOTE: Winners will be notified directly by the Mackenzie King Scholarship Selection Committee.

References

For more information, please visit the Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships website.

Mackenzie King email: mking.scholarships@ubc.ca

McMaster School of Graduate Studies scholarships email: graduatescholarships@mcmaster.ca