AIMS/Mastercard Foundation Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund ($10,000 Seed Grant) 2020

AIMS-NEI, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, is launching the MCF Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund (MCF – SIEF).

Application Deadline: 10th December 2020

Eligible Countries: African countries

About the Award: The MCF – SIEF aims to better prepare AIMS Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni with knowledge and skills to innovate and generate creative solutions to social challenges. Participants will collaborate and create inspirational entrepreneurial projects that contribute to improving their lives and that of others.

The program brings together Mastercard Foundation Scholars, alumni and other AIMS Scholars and alumni to learn how Design Thinking works and how to apply it to real-world challenges. Participants will work on a specific design challenge in one of the following broad areas:

Improving existing livelihoods;

Enabling diversification of income; or

Creating dignified and fulfilling work (jobs).

By the end of the program, participants will have developed innovative entrepreneurial solutions ready to be pitched to others.

Type: Entrepreneurship

Eligibility: The applications are open to AIMS Mastercard Foundation Scholars, Alumni and other AIMS students based in Rwanda who are interested in being catalysers of socio-economic transformation. Applicants should be interested in learning how to become creative problem solvers and be committed to generating innovative entrepreneurial solutions to help improve their lives and those of others.

Applicants can apply as individuals or in teams of 2-3 people. At least one individual (preferably the one assuming the position of team leader) per application should be a Mastercard Foundation Scholar or Alumni.

Applicants can apply to the program with OR without an existing solution idea.

• Applicants who do not have an existing idea but are passionate and committed to solving a social challenge can generate a new idea as they go through the program.
• Applicants that already have an existing solution idea in mind should be flexible to adapt it as they go through the program’s facilitated process of innovation.

All applicants must be able to attend all training sessions and dedicate time additionally to continue developing their solution ideas

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award:

• Skills and knowledge in Design Thinking and social innovation
• Certificate of completion for participants attending all training sessions
• Seed funding grants of up to $10,000 for winning solutions
• Mentorship support for winning solutions
• Opportunity to collaborate with other Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni

How to Apply: 

If you are applying as an individual, click here
If you are applying as a team, click here

• It is important to go through all application requirements on the Programme Webpage (see link below) before applying
• GOODLUCK!

Visit Programme Webpage for Details