Applications to BCDI 2030 Now Open

The call for proposals to the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030) is now open. Valued at $18M CAD in funding and opened to all members of Universities Canada (UnivCan) and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), it aims to strengthen social and economic development through provision of quality education and training opportunities for 26 Francophonie, Small Island States and Commonwealth countries.

BCDI 2030 is valued at $18M CAD in funding (with up to $750,000 available per project) and is open to all members of Universities Canada (UnivCan) and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). It aims to strengthen social and economic development (with a focus on women) through providing quality education and training opportunities in 26 eligible countries:

• Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Tunisia.

Study projects take place in Canada for a maximum of four years. Each Canadian institution can submit one proposal for a scholarship project partnership with a higher education institution (HEI) in one of the 26 eligible countries listed above. Note that multiple projects can be carried out by an institution as part of a consortium, but each HEI may only submit one proposal as a project lead. In the case of a consortium, McMaster must have existing partnerships with the involved HEIs.

Key takeaways of BCDI 2030:

1. Study projects take place in Canada for a maximum of four years.
2. Each Canadian institution can submit one proposal for a scholarship project partnership with a higher education institution (HEI) in one of the 26 eligible countries.
3. Multiple projects can be carried out by an institution as part of a consortium (must have existing partnerships with the involved HEIs), but each HEI may only submit one proposal as a project lead. 5 bonus points if the proposal is submitted as a consortium.
4. Up to $700,000 available per project for partnerships with Francophonie countries.
5. Up to $500,000 available per project for a combination of partnerships between Francophonie and Commonwealth or small islands and Commonwealth-only countries.
6. Institutions must submit their application through a central institutional account.

Institutions must submit its application through a central institutional account. Therefore, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) will coordinate the McMaster submission in collaboration with the International Strategic Advisory Committee (ISAC).

Applicant Timeline

• Concept note submission deadline: Wednesday, 1 May, 2024 to Adelina Sylaj (sylaja@mcmaster.ca) (template can be found here)
• Adjudication and selection of one application: OIA, in collaboration with the International Strategic Advisory Committee (ISAC) will adjudicate concept notes. OIA will communicate results with applicants on Friday, 3 May 2024
• Internal application submission deadline: Friday, 17 May, 2024 to Amira El Masri (elmasri@mcmaster.ca) (includes the application components, budget template, and Grant Approval Application Form)
• External submission deadline: Thursday, 30 May, 2024. Application will be submitted by the OIA in collaboration with the main applicant.

Kindly click here to download the guidelines, including the marking breakdown, funding allocation, sample activities, eligibility checklist, and additional information.

For any questions beyond the FAQs, please reach out to Sarah Slasor in the Office of International Affairs (slasors@mcmaster.ca).