Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027 for Young African Students & Recent Graduates (Up To $15,000 CAD + $500 CAD Stipend)

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Applications are open for Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027. The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship gives African students and recent graduates the opportunity to access training, resources, financial support and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start building their own venture.

The 8-month program develops the exceptional entrepreneurial skillset and mindset of leaders to drive social and financial impact.

Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Program Benefits

Best In-Class Training
- Business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders who bring decades of combined entrepreneurship and C-Suite experience
- The Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven step-by-step framework for scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Pitch coaching and mastery
- Live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting are held throughout the programOpportunity to earn micro-credentials on Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University for successful completion the courses
Mentorship and Networking
- Liaise with mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship in North America
- Access a Global Network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni
- Join a cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent grads from across Africa
- Fellows are matched to industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final phase of the program
- Receive feedback at important startup milestones
Financial Support
- Up to 60 Fellows will be selected in the final phase to receive a stipend of $500 CAD
- Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the pitch competition at the end of the program

Eligibility Criteria

You are a citizen of an African country.
You are a student currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution or a recent graduate (within the past five years).
You have a desire to solve pressing problems and bring an entrepreneurial idea to life.
You can commit to completing all three phases of the online program if selected.
You have reliable access to the internet and a device to participate in virtual sessions and complete online assignments.

Program Timeline

Applications are due December 1, 2026, at 12:59 pm ET.
Successful candidates will be notified of our decision by the end of December 2026.
Phase 1 – Explore Entrepreneurship January 2027 – February 2027
Phase 2 – Ignite Entrepreneurship March 2027 – April 2027
Phase 3 – Launch Entrepreneurship May 2027 – August 2027