Margaret McNamara Education Grants

Education grants are awarded to women from developing and middle-income countries who, upon obtainment of their degree, intend to work in, or with, a developing country to improve the lives of women and/or children. MMEG grants may fund any expenses incurred by grantees in the course of their studies (except past due fees), including academic expenses and supplies, living expenses, transportation, travel, research and field work, or childcare.

In past years, grants of up to US$15,000 have been awarded in the US-Canada program. Grant amounts may vary, based on exchange rates and availability of funds.

Semi-finalists are contacted for a telephone or video interview two to three months after the application deadline and will be kept apprised of the outcome. The results are announced on MMEG’s website in April for the US-Canada program.

General Eligibility Criteria

• be a self-identifying woman, and at least 25 years old at time of application deadline;
• be a national of a country listed on the MMEG country eligibility list;
• be registered (not just accepted or enrolled) at an accredited in-person academic institution and program when submitting their application (exclusively online programs are ineligible);
• plan to be enrolled for at least one full academic semester (half-year term) after award of the MMEG grant;
• plan to graduate no later than three years after the award of the MMEG grant;

US-CANADA program

This program accepts applications between September 15 and January 15 (11:59pm Eastern Standard Time). Successful candidates will be personally notified in April.

In addition to the general eligibility criteria, applicants must:

• already be enrolled as a full-time student, with relevant and valid student visa in national passport (Form I-20 may be submitted);
• plan to continue studying full-time for at least one academic semester (half year) following the award of the MMEG grant in April;
• plan to graduate no later than three years following the award of the MMEG grant;
• not hold US citizenship or permanent residency (green card) or Canadian citizenship or Canadian landed immigrant status.