Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027: Apply for Entrepreneurship Training, Mentorship & Funding Opportunities

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Category: Fellowships

Published on Thursday, 01 October 2026 15:29

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African students and recent graduates with an interest in entrepreneurship can now apply for the 2027 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship.

 

The eight-month fellowship is delivered by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen’s University in Canada, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. It is designed to help young Africans develop entrepreneurial skills, test business ideas, build ventures and connect with experienced mentors and entrepreneurs.

 

The programme is fully virtual, meaning eligible participants can take part from anywhere in Africa without relocating to Canada.

 

What Is the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship?

 

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is an entrepreneurship development programme for African students and recent graduates.

 

The fellowship is suitable for people who are already developing a business as well as those who have an early-stage entrepreneurial idea and want to learn how to turn it into a viable venture.

 

Participants receive structured entrepreneurship training, coaching, mentorship and opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs and other young innovators across Africa.

 

The programme use the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, which provides a structured approach to understanding customers, validating business ideas, developing products and building sustainable ventures.

 

Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027 – Key Details

 

• Programme: Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship

• Cohort: 2027

• Host: Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre, Queen’s University

• Partner: Mastercard Foundation

• Eligible applicants: Students and recent graduates from African countries

• Academic discipline: All disciplines

• Programme duration: Eight months

• Programme period: January to August 2027

• Format: Fully online/virtual

• Application fee: No application fee

• Application deadline: 1 December 2026 at 12:59 p.m. ET

• Final-phase fellows: Up to 60

• Final-phase stipend: CAD $500 for up to 60 fellows

• Pitch competition: Opportunities to compete for prizes of up to CAD $15,000

 

What Does the Fellowship Offer?

 

Successful participants can gain access to several forms of entrepreneurship and business development support.

 

1. Entrepreneurship Training

Participants receive training from Queen’s University faculty and experienced industry professionals.

 

The programme covers areas such as:

• Identifying and understanding customers

• Testing business ideas

• Developing products and services

• Building business models

• Marketing

• Recruiting

• Goal setting

• Pitch preparation

• Venture development

Participants also work with the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework to develop and test their ideas.

 

2. Mentorship and Coaching

The fellowship provides opportunities to learn from experienced entrepreneurs, industry professionals and mentors.

 

Participants can receive feedback as they work through important stages of developing their venture.

 

They can also connect with Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni and other students and graduates participating in the programme.

 

3. Entrepreneurship Credentials

Participants who successfully complete relevant courses may have the opportunity to earn entrepreneurship micro-credentials from Queen’s University.

 

4. Financial Support and Pitch Opportunities

Financial support is linked to the later stages of the programme.

 

Up to 60 fellows selected for the final phase can receive a CAD $500 stipend.

 

Participants can also have the opportunity to pitch their ventures in a final competition for prizes of up to CAD $15,000.

 

Important: The CAD $500 stipend and pitch prizes should not be interpreted as a guaranteed grant for every applicant. They are opportunities associated with the later stages of the programme.

 

Programme Structure for 2027

 

The fellowship is divided into three main phases.

 

Phase 1: Explore Entrepreneurship

 

January – February 2027

 

More than 1,000 candidates are expected to participate in the first phase.

 

Participants will complete online entrepreneurship training and begin working through the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework.

 

The focus is on understanding problems, identifying customers, testing assumptions and developing an entrepreneurial idea.

 

Phase 2: Ignite Entrepreneurship

 

March – April 2027

 

More than 180 participants who demonstrate commitment during the first phase can progress to the second stage.

 

Participants work further on their business ideas, develop business models, test their assumptions, build prototypes and prepare their pitches.

 

Performance during this stage is used to determine who progresses to the final fellowship phase.

 

Phase 3: Launch and Fellowship

 

May – August 2027

 

Up to 60 participants can progress to the final fellowship stage.

 

Those selected receive more intensive coaching and mentorship while continuing to develop their ventures.

 

Participants can also access seed-funding opportunities and take part in pitch activities, including the final pitch competition.

 

Who Can Apply for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship?

 

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of an African country.

• Be currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution or have graduated within the past five years.

• Have an interest in entrepreneurship and solving real-world problems.

• Be prepared to participate throughout the different stages of the online programme.

• Have reliable internet access and a device suitable for online learning.

• Be able to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week to the entrepreneurial journey.

The programme is open to applicants from any academic discipline.

 

Do I Need an Existing Business to Apply?

No.

 

Applicants do not necessarily need to have a registered business before applying.

 

The fellowship is also designed for young Africans who are still developing an entrepreneurial idea and want to learn how to test and develop it.

 

This makes the opportunity relevant to both early-stage entrepreneurs and students or graduates who are exploring entrepreneurship for the first time.

 

English Language Requirement

 

The programme content, assignments and pitches are conducted in English.

 

Applicants who are less comfortable with English may still be encouraged to apply. Information published about the programme indicates that participants may work with someone who can meet the English-language requirements or seek language support through their university or local organisations. Mentorship may also be available in English and French.

 

How to Apply for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027

 

Interested applicants should complete the online application form provided for the fellowship.

Application steps

1. Visit the official application portal.

2. Read the eligibility requirements carefully.

3. Complete the online application form.

4. Provide accurate information about yourself, your education and entrepreneurial interests.

5. Explain the problem you want to address and your entrepreneurial idea or venture where applicable.

6. Review your application before submitting it.

7. Submit the application before 1 December 2026 at 12:59 p.m. ET.

 

Official application portal:
Apply for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027

 

Important Things Applicants Should Know

 

Before applying, prospective candidates should understand that this is more than a funding opportunity.

 

The programme focuses heavily on entrepreneurship education, business development, mentorship and venture building.

 

Applicants should therefore be ready to:

• Participate in online training.

• Complete assignments and programme milestones.

• Spend time developing and testing their business idea.

• Participate in coaching and mentorship activities.

• Develop their pitching skills.

• Work consistently throughout the programme.

• Have access to a reliable internet connection and suitable device.

The fellowship is also competitive, and moving from one phase to another depends on participants meeting the relevant programme requirements.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship fully funded?

The programme does not simply operate as a conventional scholarship or guaranteed cash grant. It provides free entrepreneurship training, mentorship, coaching and other resources. In the final phase, up to 60 fellows can receive a CAD $500 stipend, while participants can also compete for pitch prizes of up to CAD $15,000.

 

Is the fellowship available to Nigerians?

Yes. Nigerians are eligible to apply because the fellowship is open to citizens of African countries, provided they meet the other requirements.

 

Can recent graduates apply?

Yes. Applicants who graduated from a post-secondary institution within the past five years can apply.

 

Do I need to relocate to Canada?

No. The 2027 programme is delivered virtually, allowing participants across Africa to participate online.

 

Can I apply without a registered company?

Yes. You do not need to have an established or registered business before applying. Applicants can also be at the stage of developing an entrepreneurial idea.

 

How long is the programme?

The 2027 fellowship runs for approximately eight months, from January to August 2027.

 

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 12:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

 

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Conclusion

 

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027 provides African students and recent graduates with an opportunity to develop practical entrepreneurship skills while receiving coaching, mentorship and access to a wider entrepreneurial network.

 

For applicants interested in startup development, business innovation, entrepreneurship training and venture building, the programme offers a structured pathway from exploring an idea to developing and pitching a venture.

 

Eligible applicants should complete the application through the official Queen’s University application portal before the stated deadline.