JIM LEECH MASTERCARD FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Application Deadline: December 4, 2024

LOCATION: Canada

The Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship gives African students and recent graduates the opportunity to access training, resources, financial support, and a network of mentors to develop their entrepreneurial skills and start building their own venture. 

ELIGIBILITY:

The program accepts students and recent graduates from all academic disciplines, and from any African post-secondary institution. Whether you are already working on a business or looking to start something new, they can help you.

The program is looking for participants who are committed to developing their entrepreneurial mindset and taking advantage of the resources provided to develop their own enterprise. The program is delivered virtually and can be completed at any pace, however, the most committed participants will commit at least 10 hours per week. In order to progress through the program phases, participants will submit assignments online, adhering to strict deadlines.

The program content is delivered in English.

Mentorship may be offered in English and French. Assignments and pitches must be completed in English. Prospective fellows who are unable to speak or write English are still encouraged to apply and form teams with someone who can fulfill all the requirements of the program in English.

Prospective fellows may also work with their local university to come up with a strategy to make sure they are able to access university resources that will help them navigate the challenge related to language ability.

BENEFIT:

Business bootcamp delivered by Queen’s University faculty and industry leaders who bring decades of combined entrepreneurship and C-Suite experience

The Disciplined Entrepreneurship framework, a proven step-by-step framework for scalable startups developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Pitch coaching and mastery

Live workshops on marketing, goal setting, and recruiting are held throughout the program

Opportunity to earn micro-credentials on Entrepreneurship awarded by Queen’s University for successful completion the courses

Mentorship and Networking:

Liaise with mentors and speakers leading innovation and entrepreneurship in North America

Access a Global Network of Queen’s entrepreneurial alumni

Join a cohort of thousands of like-minded students and recent grads from across Africa

Fellows are matched to industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the final phase of the program

Receive feedback at important startup milestones

Financial Support and Opportunities:

Up to 60 Fellows will be selected in the final phase to receive a stipend of $500 CAD

Opportunities to pitch for prizes of up to $15,000 CAD in the pitch competition at the end of the program

Opportunities to travel to the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre to build lasting connections that will help you further your business venture

APPLY

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT(MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP GRADUATE PROGRAM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP FOR POST SDGS

Application Deadline: December 5, 2024

LOCATION: Japan

Japanese Government is calling for scholarship applications by international students who wish to enroll in the Graduate School of Environmental Science for October 2025 intake under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program “Graduate Program for Environmental Conservation Leadership for Post SDGs”.

ELIGIBILITY:

International students with outstanding academic achievements of graduate school level who enter Japan as new students or those already staying in Japan.
* Applicants must have earned a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.30/3.00 or above in their degreed (for those who are employed) or currently enrolled courses, and be able to maintain that GPA while receiving the scholarship. Furthermore, applicants must meet any one of the language requirements stated in (2)

Applicants must satisfy any one of the following conditions to prove that they have sufficient English language ability.
Applicants must pass or achieve scores in English language proficiency tests that correspond to B2 or higher level in the CEFR at the time of application.
Applicants must complete school curriculums that meet the conditions for admission in masters’ or doctoral courses at a Japanese graduate school by using English as the main language.

BENEFIT:

Monthly allowance:

Master’s course: 144,000 JPY
Doctoral course: 145,000 JPY

Travel Expenses: MEXT will provide arrival and return ticket.

Tuition and other academic fees:

Application fee: exempted
Matriculation fee: exempted
Tuition fees: exempted

APPLY