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Applications opened February 20, 2026 for the third drive; no closing deadline was stated on the page.
The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program is a grant from Mastercard Foundation that supports young African entrepreneurs through enterprise support, business development training, mentorship, and peer networking.
Open to alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), African Leadership Academy, and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, FAST offers tiered funding based on enterprise stage, with idea-phase grants up to $5,000 and build-phase grants up to $15,000. The program prioritizes inclusive participation for young women, refugees, displaced persons, and individuals with disabilities.
Applications are accepted in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic, with near-graduates eligible for provisional acceptance.
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The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program | Mastercard Foundation Education and Transitions This information is available in the following languages: Read the Arabic translation Read the Portuguese translation Read the French translation Apply to the FAST Program Apply to the FAST Program by completing the application form available starting February 20, 2026.
The third application drive for the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) program is now open. FAST supports and empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing enterprise support and connecting participants to business development training and a supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors.
FAST is a partnership of the Mastercard Foundation with CCHub Nigeria, MDF Global, Concree, Scale up, Savannah Innovations Lab, the Center for Enterprising Organizations, Inkomoko, and the Africa Leadership Academy (ALA). FAST is open to aspiring entrepreneurs or those in the early stages of their entrepreneurship journey.
It offers a unique opportunity for Alumni from the following programs: Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) African Leadership Academy (ALA) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Note: Applicants who are nearing graduation can receive a provisional acceptance letter and, upon completing their studies, join the next cohort. The application and program are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic.
Commitment to Inclusive Growth FAST aims to foster inclusivity and provide opportunities to a wide range young people, including young women, refugees and displaced persons, and young people living with disabilities. Financial Support and Disbursement Amounts Disbursement amounts are based on the needs of the entrepreneur and their enterprise and include considerations such as the stage at which the enterprise is at in its development.
Specific funding amounts will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and not all participants will receive funding to support their enterprise. Idea Phase: An average of USD $3000 (up to $5,000) to help develop and refine initial ideas. Build Phase: An average of USD $12,500 (up to $15,000) to transform the ideas into viable business models.
Participants will gain access to funding, business development training, and a supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors. Read the frequently asked questions in English Read the frequently asked questions in French Read the frequently asked questions in Portuguese Read the frequently asked questions in Arabic Facilitating young people’s pathways from education to dignified and fulfilling work and entrepreneurship.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Alumni entrepreneurs from YALI, African Leadership Academy, Anzisha Prize, and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program; nearly-graduating students may receive provisional acceptance. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Idea Phase: up to $5,000; Build Phase: up to $15,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Mastercard Foundation Young Africa Works strategy - Digital Programs is sponsored by Mastercard Foundation. The Mastercard Foundation is committed to empowering young people digitally in Africa through its Young Africa Works strategy. Programs cover digital skills development (enabling institutions to deliver digital skills and STEM training), digital entrepreneurship (across sectors like FinTech, AgriTech, EdTech, and HealthTech), higher education e-learning and STEM, and education technology (EdTech).
AGRI-BIZ CHALLENGE FUND is sponsored by Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity. Designed for existing for-profit Small or Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in agriculture across at least one of 20 focus Sub-Saharan African countries. A core selection criterion is job creation for young women and men with limited financial means. Women-led businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to four (4) Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) that will provide entrepreneurial development services to Native American communities, focusing on supplying services to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing SBA resources. Eligible applicants must be Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined in the Higher Education Act HEA 316 (U.S.C. 1059c). Funding Opportunity Number: SB-GC7J-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.007. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,ED. Award Amount: Up to $250K per award.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to two (2) private, non-profit organizations that will provide entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing WBCs for the District of Columbia (DC) and the State of Oregon. There will be one award for each location. Eligible applicants must be private, non-profit organizations with 501(c) tax exempt status from the U.S. Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service and must provide services to the District of Columbia (DC) and State of Oregon. Funding Opportunity Number: SB-OEDWB-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.043. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,CD,RD. Award Amount: $75K – $150K per award.
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program awards grants to eligible nonprofits, tribal organizations, and food program service providers to promote self-sufficiency and increase food security in low-income communities by developing comprehensive, community-based solutions. Projects should address food and nutrition security, particularly among historically ignored communities, and include food-insecure community members in planning, designing, development, implementation, and evaluation. Grants require a dollar-for-dollar (1:1) match in resources.