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The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2027 is an entrepreneurship opportunity for African students and recent graduates who want to develop a business idea or build an existing venture. The fellowship is offered by the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen’s University in Canada. It provides entrepreneurship training, mentorship, networking, financial support and access to a global community of entrepreneurs. The programme is conducted fully online and runs for eight months.
Applications for the upcoming Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship are listed on the official Queen’s University programme page, with a December 1, 2026 deadline. Applicants can come from any academic discipline and any post-secondary institution in Africa. The programme is open to students and recent graduates, including applicants who are still exploring an entrepreneurial idea.
WhatsApp ChannelJim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027 Details
- Host: Queen’s University, Canada
- Programme: Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship
- Location: Online
- Duration: 8 months
- Eligible applicants: African students and recent graduates
- Academic disciplines: All disciplines
- Workload: At least 10 hours per week
- Application deadline: December 1, 2026
Also Check: Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellowship 2027
Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship provides entrepreneurship training, mentorship and practical support to help African students and recent graduates develop their business ideas. Participants receive:
- Entrepreneurship training based on the MIT Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework
- Business workshops and pitch coaching
- Mentorship and one-on-one coaching
- Access to Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni network
- Entrepreneurship digital badges and micro-credentials
- Opportunities for seed funding and pitch competition prizes
Up to 60 Fellows can receive financial support during the final fellowship phase. Queen’s University states that Fellows can receive a CAD $500 stipend and compete for prizes of up to CAD $15,000 through the final pitch competition. The programme page also currently mentions a USD $350 stipend in its Phase 3 description, so applicants should confirm the final stipend amount with Queen’s University.
Also Check: Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 in USA
Who Can Apply?
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027 welcomes students and recent graduates from all academic backgrounds and post-secondary institutions across Africa.
Applicants should:
- Be a student or recent graduate in Africa
- Have an interest in entrepreneurship
- Be willing to develop an entrepreneurial mindset
- Be ready to use the programme’s training and mentorship
- Commit at least 10 hours per week to the programme
- Meet assignment deadlines throughout the eight-month programme
Applicants do not need to already have a fully developed company. The programme accepts people who are exploring a new business idea as well as participants who are already building a venture.
Programme Phases
The fellowship follows three main stages.
Phase 1: Explore, January to February
More than 1,000 candidates receive entrepreneurship training and work through the first part of the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework. Participants identify customers, define problems, validate assumptions, develop ideas and map the customer experience.
Phase 2: Ignite, March to April
More than 180 finalists move forward based on their progress. Participants develop business models, identify marketing channels, create prototypes and test their assumptions. They also pitch their ideas for selection into the fellowship stage.
Phase 3: Launch and Fellowship, May to August
Up to 60 Fellows enter the summer incubation programme. They work on their ventures, receive coaching and mentorship, test their solutions, and develop plans for growth. Fellows can also compete for additional funding through the final pitch competition.
How to Apply for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027?
Interested applicants should monitor the official Queen’s University programme page and application notification system. The current application deadline is December 1, 2026. The programme is fully virtual, so selected participants do not need to relocate to Canada to participate.
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027 is intended for African students and recent graduates who want structured entrepreneurship training, mentorship and opportunities to develop a scalable venture. Applicants should prepare to commit regular time to the programme and demonstrate progress through its different stages.
