Mastercard Foundation Fellowship Opens for African Founders

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship 2027 is now accepting applications from African students and recent graduates, offering a fully funded, eight-month entrepreneurship programme at no cost to participants.

The fellowship is delivered by the Dunin-Deshpande Queen's Innovation Centre (DDQIC) at Queen's University, in collaboration with partner organisations across Africa. It runs entirely online, which means selected fellows complete the programme from their home countries while engaging with mentors and innovators across the continent.

The programme runs from January to August 2027 and is divided into three progressive phases. The first, Explore Entrepreneurship, runs from January to February 2027. The second, Ignite Entrepreneurship, follows in March and April. The third, Launch Entrepreneurship, runs from May to August 2027. Each phase builds on the previous one. Participants advance only after successfully completing the prior course and demonstrating commitment throughout the programme.

According to the programme announcement, the fellowship is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs across Africa who want to "transform innovative ideas into impactful startups." The curriculum aims to equip fellows with the practical skills and confidence needed to identify societal challenges, develop sustainable business solutions, and launch ventures capable of creating meaningful impact within their communities.

The package for successful fellows is comprehensive. It includes fully funded participation, entrepreneurship training through three online courses, one-on-one virtual coaching and mentorship, business idea development support, access to an international entrepreneurial network, and financial and innovation support designed to help launch impactful startups. There is no application fee, and participation is completely free for selected candidates.

Who qualifies

Applicants must satisfy every one of five requirements. They must be citizens of an African country. They must be currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution or have graduated within the past five years. They must demonstrate a genuine interest in solving pressing challenges through entrepreneurship. They must commit to completing all three phases of the online programme. And they must have reliable internet access and a suitable device for virtual sessions and online assignments.

The fellowship accepts applicants from diverse academic backgrounds, provided they show strong entrepreneurial potential and a commitment to creating positive social impact.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted through the official Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship online application portal. Applicants provide their educational background, entrepreneurial interests, and information about the problem they hope to solve through an innovative business idea.

The programme is highly competitive. The organisers advise candidates to present a clear vision for the impact they hope to create. A strong application, according to the fellowship's guidance, should identify a meaningful problem the applicant is passionate about addressing, explain how the idea could create sustainable social or economic impact, highlight leadership, volunteer, academic, or entrepreneurial experience, and demonstrate commitment to all three phases. Candidates should also submit well before the closing deadline.

The application deadline is 1 December 2026 at 12:59 PM Eastern Time. Successful applicants will be notified of selection results by the end of December 2026, with the programme commencing in January 2027. All official programme communications will be sent through the fellowship's official Queen's University email address.

For aspiring founders on the continent, the fellowship represents a structured, zero-cost pathway from idea to venture, backed by an international innovation ecosystem — provided they can articulate a problem worth solving and clear the December deadline.