The Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship is an eight-month virtual entrepreneurship programme for African students and recent graduates. Delivered by the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre at Queen’s University, it combines structured training, mentorship, venture development, and financial support for participants who progress through the programme. Candidates move through three staged phases, Explore, Ignite, and Launch and Fellowship, as their ventures develop. Up to 60 Fellows advance to the final phase, where they can access financial support and pitch-competition opportunities.
The current official page lists an application deadline of December 1, 2026. Participants can enter without an existing business and work through a staged process from entrepreneurship training to venture development. Up to 60 Fellows can advance to the final fellowship phase and receive financial support.
Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship Details
The programme is designed for students and recent graduates from post-secondary institutions across Africa. It is fully virtual and focuses on entrepreneurial problem-solving, customer discovery, business-model development, prototyping, pitching, and venture growth.
The fellowship runs through three main phases: Explore, Ignite, and Launch and Fellowship. Participants progressively complete entrepreneurship coursework and venture milestones, with the strongest candidates moving into later phases and the final summer incubation experience.
Host | Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre, Queen’s University |
|---|---|
Programme length | 8 months |
Format | Fully virtual |
Eligible group | African students and recent graduates |
Final fellows | Up to 60 |
Final-phase stipend | CAD $500 |
Pitch prizes | Up to CAD $15,000 |
Application deadline | December 1, 2026 |
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Fellowship Benefits
Participants receive entrepreneurship training, coaching, mentoring, and access to a global network of founders and professionals. The programme includes business bootcamp content, the Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, pitch coaching, live workshops, and opportunities to earn Queen’s University entrepreneurship micro-credentials.
Up to 60 participants selected for the final fellowship phase can receive a CAD $500 stipend. Fellows may also compete for prizes of up to CAD $15,000 in the programme’s pitch competition, while the virtual format allows participation from across Africa.
Also Check: For a different kind of funded opportunity, Guidance Gem also lists the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program, a PhD-level faculty research fellowship rather than an entrepreneurship programme for African undergraduates and recent graduates, included here only as another example of the funded opportunities covered on the site.
Related opportunity: Applicants comparing another current fellowship can review Humphrey Fellowship Program and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Fellowship Eligibility
The Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship welcomes students and recent graduates from any academic discipline and any post-secondary institution in Africa. Applicants can be at the idea stage or already working on a venture, but they should be committed to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and making serious use of the programme’s resources.
Participants should be prepared to dedicate at least 10 hours per week to their entrepreneurial work. Programme content is delivered in English, while some mentorship may be available in English and French. Assignments and pitches must be completed in English.
Also explore: For another published Guidance Gem option in a related area, see Silicon Valley Fellowship and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Requirements and Required Documents
Applicants should be ready to provide the personal, academic, and entrepreneurial information requested by the official application. Because the programme accepts applicants who are still exploring ideas, an established company is not required at the entry stage.
Progression through later phases depends on completing coursework and venture milestones on schedule. Candidates who advance should be prepared to document customer discovery, problem validation, business-model development, prototypes, and pitch preparation as the programme moves forward.
How to Apply for the Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship
Applications are submitted through the official Queen’s University programme page. The live page currently shows December 1, 2026 as the application deadline and links applicants to the current application route.
Applicants should review the programme phases and time commitment before submitting. The fellowship is selective and later stages require sustained participation, so the strongest applications should clearly show motivation to solve a real problem and develop an entrepreneurial project.
Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship Application Deadline
The current official programme page lists the application deadline as December 1, 2026. Applicants should submit early because the programme is competitive and the application is the entry point to a multi-phase selection process.
The eight-month programme then progresses through training and venture-development phases. Candidates should rely on the official Queen’s University page for any update to phase dates or selection communications after applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
These frequently asked questions cover eligibility, cost, format, and funding for the fellowship, based on the current official programme page.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
Students and recent graduates from post-secondary institutions across Africa can apply, regardless of academic discipline.
Do I need an existing business?
No. The official programme welcomes applicants who are already building a venture as well as those who are still exploring an entrepreneurial idea.
Is the programme online?
Yes. The fellowship is fully virtual and is designed so participants can progress through the programme from their home country.
What financial support is available?
Up to 60 final-phase Fellows can receive a CAD $500 stipend, and the programme also advertises pitch-competition prizes of up to CAD $15,000.
Final Thoughts
The Jim Leech Mastercard Fellowship combines entrepreneurship training, mentorship, venture-building practice, and financial opportunities in a fully virtual programme. It is designed specifically for African students and recent graduates who want to turn ideas into practical ventures.
Interested applicants should review the official programme requirements and submit by December 1, 2026. The programme does not require an existing company, but participants should be ready for a substantial weekly commitment and a competitive progression process.
