Applications have opened for the 2027 Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship, an eight-month programme designed to help African students and recent graduates develop entrepreneurial skills and begin building their own ventures.

The fellowship provides participants with access to entrepreneurship training, resources, financial support and a network of mentors. The programme is focused on developing the entrepreneurial skills and mindset of emerging leaders seeking to create social and financial impact.

Applicants must be citizens of an African country and either currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution or have graduated within the past five years.

Candidates must also demonstrate a desire to address pressing problems through an entrepreneurial idea and be able to complete all three phases of the online programme if selected. Reliable internet access and a suitable device are required for participation in virtual sessions and completion of online assignments.

The programme offers business training delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders with decades of combined entrepreneurship and C-Suite experience.

Participants will also be introduced to the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a step-by-step approach for developing scalable startups that was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Other training opportunities include pitch coaching and mastery, as well as live workshops covering marketing, goal setting and recruiting. Participants who successfully complete the courses may also earn micro-credentials in Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University.

The fellowship also provides opportunities for mentorship and networking. Participants can liaise with mentors and speakers involved in innovation and entrepreneurship across North America and gain access to a global network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni.

Fellows will join a cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent graduates from across Africa. During the final phase, fellows are matched with industry leaders and entrepreneurs and receive feedback at key startup milestones.

Financial support is also available. Up to 60 fellows will be selected during the final phase to receive a $500 CAD stipend.

Participants will also have opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD during the pitch competition held at the end of the programme.

Applications must be submitted by December 1, 2026, at 12:59 pm ET, while successful candidates are expected to be notified of the decision by the end of December 2026.

The fellowship will run across three phases in 2027:

• Phase 1 – Explore Entrepreneurship: January 2027 – February 2027
• Phase 2 – Ignite Entrepreneurship: March 2027 – April 2027
• Phase 3 – Launch Entrepreneurship: May 2027 – August 2027

Further information is available through the official Queen’s University webpage for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship.

Source: opportunitiesforafrican