African students and recent graduates can apply for the 2027 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship. The eight-month virtual programme provides entrepreneurship training, coaching, mentoring, startup-development support, and financial opportunities for participants who progress through its stages.
Overview
The Fellowship is run by the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen’s University with support from the Mastercard Foundation. It is designed for students and recent graduates from post-secondary institutions across Africa, including people who are still exploring an idea and those already building a venture.
The programme moves participants through entrepreneurship learning, venture development, and a final incubation phase for selected Fellows.
Benefits
- Training: Participants receive entrepreneurship training delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry practitioners.
- Mentorship: The programme provides coaching, mentoring, and access to entrepreneurship networks.
- Micro-Credentials: Participants can earn Queen’s University entrepreneurship micro-credentials by successfully completing eligible coursework.
- Fellow Stipend: Up to 60 participants selected for the final phase receive a stipend.
- Pitch Funding: Final-stage Fellows can compete for pitch prizes of up to CAD 15,000.
Eligibility
- Geography: Applicants should be students or recent graduates from post-secondary institutions in Africa.
- Discipline: Applications are welcomed from all academic disciplines.
- Venture Stage: Applicants may already be building a business or may still be developing an idea.
- Commitment: Participants should be prepared to dedicate about 10 hours per week to the programme.
- Delivery: The programme is fully virtual, although participants must meet assignment and phase deadlines.
- Language: Programme content and assignments are delivered in English, with some mentorship potentially available in French.
How to Apply
- Deadline: Applications close on December 1, 2026.
- Review the Programme: Read the current Fellowship structure, stages, and participation expectations on the official Queen’s University page.
- Prepare Your Application: Explain your entrepreneurial interest, the problem you want to solve, and your readiness to participate throughout the programme.
- Submit: Use the official application link provided by the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre before the deadline.
