Margaret McNamara Education Grants (US-Canada Program)

Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG) support women from developing countries who are already enrolled at universities in the United States or Canada and need help closing a funding gap. The US-Canada program awards a one-time grant of up to USD 15,000 that can go toward tuition, living costs, books or even childcare.

Applicants must be women aged 25 or older with a record of working for the wellbeing of women and children, and an intention to continue that work. The grant stacks neatly on top of assistantships and partial scholarships. The application window runs from September 15, 2026 to January 15, 2027, with awards announced in April.

• Self-identifying women aged at least 25 at the application deadline.
• Nationals of a country on the current MMEG country-eligibility list (lower- and middle-income countries); US or Canadian citizens, permanent residents and landed immigrants are not eligible.
• Already registered, not just accepted, at an accredited in-person institution in the United States or Canada when applying; exclusively online programmes do not qualify.
• Enrolled for at least one more full academic semester after the award is made in April, and planning to graduate within three years of the award.
• Demonstrated financial need and a track record of working for the wellbeing of women and children, with plans to continue that work.
• Not related to staff, spouses or retirees of the World Bank Group, IMF or Inter-American Development Bank, or to MMEG board members.
• Certificate, undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students are all welcome in the US-Canada programme.

• Grant historically up to USD 15,000, paid once and sized to your proposal and need.
• Freedom to use the funds for tuition, fees, books, living costs or childcare that keeps your studies on track.
• Run by a volunteer-led non-profit founded in 1981 that has supported hundreds of women from developing countries.
• Recipients join the MMEG grantee community and are announced publicly each year, a meaningful recognition for women-and-children-focused careers.
• Sister programmes exist for South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, France and Trinity Washington University if the US-Canada window does not fit.
• The award stacks well on top of assistantships or partial scholarships since it targets the funding gap.

• Online application through the MMEG portal during the application window.
• Proof of current registration at your US or Canadian institution.
• Academic transcripts.
• Evidence of nationality (passport bio page).
• Financial information demonstrating need, per the application checklist on the MMEG site.
• Essays describing your commitment to improving the lives of women and children and your plans after graduation.
• References as specified in the checklist.

• Confirm your country is on the current MMEG eligibility list and review the application checklist before the window opens.
• Apply online between September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027 (11:59 PM Eastern Time) for the US-Canada programme.
• Prepare the essays carefully: the selection committee funds women whose education clearly translates into impact for women and children back home.
• Semi-finalists are interviewed by phone or video two to three months after the deadline.
• Results are announced on the MMEG website in April, and funds are disbursed toward your remaining study period.
• If you study in South Africa, Latin America or France instead, check the matching MMEG regional programme windows on the same site.