The Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship 2026 on Entrepreneurship provides African students and recent graduates with a unique opportunity to access training, mentorship, financial support, and a global network to develop entrepreneurial skills and start building their own ventures. This 8-month program equips participants with the skills, mindset, and resources to drive social and financial impact.
Program Summary:
- Type: Fellowship
- Sponsor: Mastercard Foundation
- Duration: 8 months
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Benefits: Mentorship, networking, financial support, training, and opportunities to pitch for prizes
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2025
Eligibility Requirements:
- Open to students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines and African post-secondary institutions
- Participants can be working on an existing business or planning to start a new one
- Commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and engaging with program resources
- Program is delivered virtually; committed participants are expected to spend at least 10 hours per week
- Program content is delivered in English; mentorship may be in English or French
- Assignments and pitches must be completed in English (team collaboration possible for non-English speakers)
Benefits of the Fellowship:
- Best-in-Class Training on entrepreneurship skills
- Mentorship & Networking with industry experts
- Financial Support: $500 CAD stipend for up to 60 Fellows
- Opportunities to pitch for prizes up to $15,000 CAD
- Travel opportunities to Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) for mentorship and networking
- Continuous support to transform ideas into scalable ventures
Program Timeline:
Phase 1 – Explore (January – February 2026)
- Access curated online entrepreneurship courses and work through the first 11 steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework
- Conduct user research, validate problems, ideate solutions, and create journey maps
Phase 2 – Ignite (March – April 2026)
- 180+ finalists continue advanced online training and complete remaining steps of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework
- Pitch ideas and develop business models, prototypes, and funding strategies
Phase 3 – Launch & Fellowship (May – August 2026)
- Up to 60 Fellows selected for the DDQIC Summer Incubation Program
- Receive mentorship, seed funding, weekly pitch sessions, and a $500 stipend
- Compete in a final pitch competition for additional funding
- Pilot solutions, scale ventures, and build lasting networks
Graduation (August 2026):
- Fellows complete incubation, receive post-program support, and high-performing Fellows may become ambassadors or mentors for future programs
How to Apply:
- This program is completely free of charge
- All official communications will be sent from: jimleechfellowship@queensu.ca
- For questions, contact: jimleechfellowship@queensu.ca
Application Deadline: December 15, 2025