Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2026 | How to Apply
The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2026 closed applications on December 15, 2025. The fellowship trained young African entrepreneurs to turn ideas into working ventures, offering a CAD $500 completion stipend and pitch competition prizes worth up to CAD $15,000.
Rather than pulling participants away from their existing ventures or studies, the program is built around flexibility — training is rigorous but structured to fit around the schedules of students and early-career entrepreneurs, so fellows learn and build their businesses at the same time instead of pausing one to focus on the other. The fellowship’s core value sits less in the prize money and more in its mentor and coach network, which gives fellows direct, practical guidance for refining their ideas and working through real obstacles as they scale. This post covers what the fellowship involved, who qualified, and what to prepare for if a similar cycle opens again.
Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship |
| Host Country ⇒ | Canada |
| Study Level ⇒ | Fellowships | Competitions |
| Benefits ⇒ | A CAD $500 completion stipend, plus pitch competition prizes worth up to CAD $15,000 |
| Funded By ⇒ | Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Center at Queen’s University |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | African countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | Closed December 15, 2025 |
What the Fellowship Offered
- Entrepreneurship training — structured, rigorous, and flexible enough to fit around an active venture or studies
- Mentorship and coaching from experienced mentors and business coaches
- Networking with a global community of entrepreneurs, peers, and industry experts
- Financial support — a CAD $500 stipend for fellows who completed the programme
- Pitch competition — prizes worth up to CAD $15,000 to support venture growth
- Practical experience — hands-on projects letting fellows apply what they learned directly to their own ventures
Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
You needed to:
- Be a citizen of an African country
- Be a current student or a recent graduate, within three years, of an African post-secondary institution
- Show a strong interest in entrepreneurship and a genuine desire to develop or scale a venture
- Commit to the full programme, including training sessions, mentorship, and pitch competitions
- Have internet access and the ability to take part in virtual training and online collaboration tools
Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Required Documents
- A completed fellowship application form
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- A pitch or business concept, where applicable
- Proof of citizenship and residency in an African country
- A CV or résumé
- Two or more letters of recommendation, academic or professional
How the Application Process Worked
- Visit the official fellowship page to review full details using the button below.
- Complete the application form, filling in personal, academic, and entrepreneurial information.
- Upload all required documents.
- Submit before the deadline.
- Watch your email for confirmation of submission and further instructions on interviews or assessments.
Application Deadline
The fellowship closed December 15, 2025, and no late submissions were accepted beyond that date. There’s no confirmation available on whether this specific cycle will repeat. If you’re interested in future editions, following the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Center and Mastercard Foundation directly is the most reliable way to catch the next application window when it opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship?
No. Applications closed December 15, 2025, and the process described doesn’t include a late submission option.
Did I need an existing business to apply?
Not necessarily. A pitch or business concept was required only where applicable, so applicants with a developed venture and those still shaping an entrepreneurial idea were both able to apply.
Was this fellowship only for people already in Canada?
No. It was open to citizens of African countries who were current students or recent graduates of African post-secondary institutions, with training delivered through virtual sessions rather than requiring relocation to Canada.
What made this fellowship different from a typical training programme?
The stipend and pitch prize were only part of its value — the fellowship’s design centered on ongoing mentorship and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, meant to help fellows work through real challenges in their ventures rather than just complete a course.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the Mastercard Foundation or Queen’s University.
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