Open Call: Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Program on Entrepreneurship

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship is a fully virtual 8-month fellowship for African students and recent graduates offered through Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen’s University. The program provides training, mentorship, and financial support, including a $500 CAD stipend (up to 60 fellows) and opportunities to pitch for prizes up to $15,000 CAD. The application deadline is 1 December 2026 (time zone not specified in the source). Opportunity at a Glance

- Opportunity name: Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship

- Provider: Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC), Queen’s University

- Program type: Fully virtual fellowship (8-month program cycle)

- Who it serves: African students and recent graduates across academic disciplines

- Key benefits (financial):

- Up to 60 Fellows receive a stipend of $500 CAD - Pitch competition prizes up to $15,000 CAD

- Eligibility geography: Africa (specific countries not limited beyond “in Africa”)

- Time commitment: At least 10 hours per week (participants are expected to dedicate this time)

- Deadline: 1 December 2026 (deadline time and time zone not specified in the source)

- Program duration: 8-month program cycle (phased: Explore, Ignite, Launch/Fellowship, Graduation)

About the Opportunity

The fellowship supports African entrepreneurs-in-the-making to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and take entrepreneurial ideas through structured development into early-stage venture building. It combines online entrepreneurship training, the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework (step-by-step approach for scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), mentorship, and milestone-based progression. The program is designed to help participants move from an idea toward validated learning, prototyping, and pitching for fellowships and additional opportunities. Funding and Benefits Financial support

- Stipend: Up to 60 Fellows are selected to receive a $500 CAD stipend (amount per fellow).

- Pitch prizes: Participants can have opportunities to pitch for prizes up to $15,000 CAD during the end-of-program pitch competition.

Training and learning benefits

- Best-in-class training, including:

- A business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders - The Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework - Pitch coaching and mastery - Live workshops on topics including marketing, goal setting, and recruiting Credentials - Participants may earn micro-credentials on Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University for successful completion of courses. - Queen’s University digital badges/certificates are provided (including a unique Blockchain ID); availability details beyond this are Not specified in the source. Mentorship and networking - Access to a global network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni. - Mentors and speakers from innovation and entrepreneurship communities in North America. - In the final phase, fellows are matched to industry leaders and entrepreneurs, with feedback at startup milestones. - Participants are paired with a program coach for one-on-one guidance and gain access to a community of more than 15 mentors. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants - Students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines and any post-secondary institution in Africa.

- Applicants may be:

- Already building a business, or - Exploring a new idea Core participation requirements

Applicants are expected to:

- Be committed to developing their entrepreneurial mindset - Be ready to make the most of the program’s resources and mentorship - Be willing to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to their entrepreneurial journey - Complete assignments by assignment deadlines to advance through program phases Virtual format and pacing - The program is fully virtual and can be completed at your own pace over the 8-month program cycle, but progression requires meeting assignment deadlines. Language requirements - Program content is delivered in English. - Mentorship may be offered in English and French. - Assignments and pitches must be completed in English. - Applicants who are not fluent in English are still encouraged to apply, with options to: - Form a team with someone who can meet English-language requirements, or - Work with their university or local organizations to access language support and resources Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The source describes the fellowship’s structure and activities rather than specific sector restrictions. Supported outcomes include: - Participating in online entrepreneurship courses and working through the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework workbook steps - Undertaking customer and market validation activities (e.g., interviews/observations, experiments, prototyping) - Developing channels to market, a business model, and plans for funding/sustainability - Piloting solutions and presenting progress through pitch presentations - Competing in a pitch competition for additional seed funding opportunities at the end of the program Why This Opportunity Matters This fellowship is structured to help African students and recent graduates develop a repeatable approach to entrepreneurship—moving through milestones that focus on understanding customers, validating assumptions, prototyping, and planning for scaling. In addition to training, participants receive coaching, mentorship, and feedback at key startup stages, with financial support for selected fellows and prize opportunities for pitching. How to Apply - Check whether applications are open and confirm the latest instructions on the official program page. - Prepare to meet language requirements: assignments and pitches must be completed in English. If you are not fluent, the source suggests forming a team or seeking support through your university/local organizations. - Submit your application by 1 December 2026. The source provides the date but does Not specify the deadl