Broaden your horizons overseas
The McCall MacBain International Fellowship (MMIF) is a 12-month international exchange opportunity for undergraduate students, presented by Dalhousie University and the McCall MacBain Foundation.
Up to $30,000 in funding per fellowship is available to pursue a year abroad:
Travel stipend ($3,500)
Living stipend (up to $12,000)
Allowance for language courses (up to $4,500)
Travel insurance allowance (up to $1,500)
Tuition waiver (one academic term)
The MMIF is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn a language, participate in an academic exchange, build lasting international ties, and deepen their ability to work in a different cultural context.
How it works
The 12-month fellowship is divided into three parts:
Intensive language learning (4 months)
Academic study abroad term (exchange or independent study abroad – 4 months)
Work/internship experience (4 months)
Fellowship recipients must go to a country in which they have not previously lived for more than three months, do not hold citizenship, and are learning or want to learn at least one of its major languages.
The Foundation also hosts online information sessions a few times a year.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the MMIF, you must:
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Be between the ages of 19 and 24 (inclusive) on January 1, 2026.
Be enrolled full-time in a first-entry undergraduate university program at Dalhousie.
Have a minimum CGPA of 3.0.
For degree programs of four or more years: have completed at least 3 academic terms prior to departure in summer 2026.
For degree programs of fewer than four years: have completed at least 2 academic terms prior to departure in summer 2026.
Have not met the requirements to graduate prior to departure.
Be in good standing academically and non-academically.
Have not left Canada to participate in a travel, work, volunteer, or study abroad experience independently (i.e. without parents) in a new language or culture for 8 months or more during the last 3 years.
How to apply
Note: Applications are now closed. Check back in fall 2026 for more information.
Complete the MMIF application as found on the MMIF website.
Note: The MMIF application requires you to identify a reference who will complete a separate reference form. Be sure to give your reference plenty of time to complete their part of the process.
Note: When selecting your country preferences, make sure they align with your country (institution) choices on Dal’s study abroad/exchange application.
Review options for Dalhousie's university-wide and departmental exchange/study abroad opportunities.
Complete a Dalhousie study abroad/exchange application for the Winter 2027 semester.
Note: When selecting your institution preferences, make sure they align with your country choices on the MMIF application.
Review and selection process
January: MMIF to confirm list of applicants with Dalhousie.
February: MMIF notifies nominated students about their interview details.
February 25: MMIF interviews are conducted in person at Dalhousie. Fellowship decisions are then communicated to applicants.
April: The deadline for students to accept Fellowship offers will be in April.
January: Applications close and the university begins a review of the applicants.
Early February: Successful applicants are notified of their study abroad or exchange nomination (including their host institution and country).
Late February: The deadline for successful applicants to accept their study abroad or exchange nomination will be in late February.
Confirmation and acceptance
Since you’re applying for both the MMIF and a study abroad opportunity at Dal, there are a few possible outcomes. Here are your options:
Your choice of country for the Dalhousie study abroad/exchange opportunity will become the designated country for your MMIF.
You are free to arrange your own study abroad/exchange opportunity outside of Dalhousie's list of formal partnerships.
You will have the option of keeping the Dal exchange opportunity or withdrawing from the exchange after the MMIF decision is made.
Questions?
You are encouraged to consult with the International Centre's study abroad and exchange team prior to applying for the MMIF. Our team will assist in pairing you with an academic advisor in your faculty to help determine the ideal year for you to undertake a study abroad program.