Are you an African student or recent graduate with a groundbreaking entrepreneurial idea aimed at solving a critical social or economic challenge? If you’ve been searching for the definitive platform to transform your vision into a scalable, impactful startup, your search ends here.
The highly anticipated Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2026 has officially opened its doors for applications. This isn’t just another competition it’s an intensive, eight-month, virtual program delivered in partnership with Queen’s University’s Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre that offers world-class training, deep mentorship, and a global networking platform.
Beyond the invaluable experience, the Fellowship offers significant financial backing, including the opportunity to pitch for up to $15,000 CAD in seed funding. We’ve broken down everything you need to know about the 2026 program: who’s eligible, what the unique benefits are, and how you can submit a standout application before the December 15, 2025 deadline to secure your spot in this transformative journey.
Eligibility Criteria Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship
To be considered for the 2026 program, you must meet the following core requirements:
- Nationality: You must be a citizen of an African country.
- Academic Status: You must be a current student or a recent graduate from any post-secondary institution across Africa.
- Academic Field: The program is open to all academic disciplines—your idea and commitment matter more than your area of study.
- Entrepreneurial Commitment: Applicants must be committed to developing an entrepreneurial mindset, whether you already have a business in progress or are starting a new idea from scratch.
- Time Commitment: You must be prepared to commit a minimum of 10 hours per week to the virtual program’s phases, assignments, and milestones.
- Language: The primary content is delivered in English. While mentorship may be offered in English and French, all required assignments and pitches must be completed in English. (Non-English speakers are encouraged to apply as a team with an English-proficient partner.)
Application Process Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship
Follow these steps for a successful submission:
- Visit the Official Application Portal: Navigate to the official website of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre’s Jim Leech Fellowship page. (A direct link will be provided at the end of this article).
- Complete the Initial Application: Fill out the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and entrepreneurial background details.
- Demonstrate Commitment (Phase 1: Explore): Successful applicants enter Phase 1, the “Explore” phase (typically January-February). You will receive access to curated online courses using the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework (developed at MIT). Your primary task here is to complete the training and submit online assignments by strict deadlines, showcasing the development of your venture idea.
- Selection for “Ignite” Phase (Phase 2): Based on your outstanding commitment and progress through the milestones in Phase 1, a smaller cohort of finalists will be selected to move into the “Ignite” phase (typically March-April).
- Final Pitch and Fellowship Selection: The final stage involves further business development and culminates in a pitch competition where the most advanced and promising ideas compete for the final spots in the Fellowship (Phase 3: Launch) and the chance to win up to $15,000 CAD in prize money.
Benefits Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship
1. World-Class Entrepreneurship Training
The backbone of the fellowship is the structured, comprehensive education designed to turn a promising idea into a viable business.
- Disciplined Framework: Participants gain hands-on experience using the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven, step-by-step methodology for building scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
- Business Bootcamp: Access to a high-level, virtual business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders with decades of combined executive and entrepreneurial experience.
- Specialized Workshops: Fellows participate in live workshops focused on critical business functions, including marketing, goal setting, team recruitment, and financial modeling.
- Pitch Coaching Mastery: The program provides intensive pitch coaching to help entrepreneurs refine their story, secure funding, and articulate their vision with confidence.
- University Micro-Credentials: Upon successful completion of the core training modules, participants earn Entrepreneurship Micro-credentials awarded by Queen’s University, validating their advanced skills.
2. Global Mentorship and Network Access
Entrepreneurship is a team sport, and the fellowship provides an invaluable network of guidance and support.
- Dedicated Coaching: Every participant receives direct access to a Program Coach for ongoing guidance throughout the program’s rigorous phases.
- Industry Mentors: Fellows are matched with dedicated mentors and industry leaders from the DDQIC’s Global Network in the final phase, providing specialized feedback at critical startup milestones.
- North American Connection: Participants liaise with mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship across North America.
- Alumni Cohort: You join a dynamic cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent graduates from across Africa, creating a peer network for collaboration and support.
- Queen’s Alumni Network: Gain access to Queen’s University’s expansive global network of entrepreneurial alumni.
3. Significant Financial Support and Seed Funding
The fellowship provides tangible financial support to help transform ideas from concept to reality.
- Startup Stipend: Up to 60 top-performing Fellows selected for the final “Launch” phase receive a $500 CAD stipend to assist with early business expenses.
- Pitch Competition Prizes: Fellows have the opportunity to pitch their ventures in a culminating competition for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in seed funding, providing essential capital for growth.
- Post-Program Support: Graduates continue to receive post-incubation services and support, including opportunities to compete for additional seed funding through the DDQIC network.
- Travel Opportunity: Opportunities may be provided for selected Fellows to travel to the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre to build lasting connections and further advance their ventures.
Application Deadline For The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship
The application deadline for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship is December 15, 2025
Conclusion
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship is uniquely designed to fuel Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. It transcends typical skills training by combining world-class academic rigor from Queen’s University with tangible financial support and an unparalleled global network of mentorship. The program’s focus is clear: to cultivate resilient founders who can build high-impact, scalable ventures that directly address the continent’s most pressing challenges.
If you are an African student or recent graduate with a conviction to solve a problem and a willingness to commit fully to the process, this fellowship is a profound opportunity.