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Application Deadline: December 1, 2026, at 12:59 pm ET.

Applications are now open for the 2027Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship. 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.

Eligibility Requirements

– 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 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 program

Opportunity 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

Program dates:

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

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship