The Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme

 Deadline Date: September 10, 2024

 Donor Name: U.S. Department of State

 Grant Size: Not Available

Submissions are now open for Mandela Washington Fellowship to bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2025 for a comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.

The Fellowship aims to bring young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training, creating unique opportunities for Fellows and U.S. citizens to collaborate as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States. 

Benefits

• The Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to:
  • Participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from U.S. citizens and other Fellows.
  • Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.
  • Participate in a Summit with young African leaders.
  • Meet with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.
  • Strengthen your work through new connections, skills, and ideas.
  • Join a continental and global Alumni Network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.

Financial Provisions of the Fellowship

• There is no fee to apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. If you are selected for the Fellowship, the U.S. Government will cover all program costs. Financial provisions provided by the U.S. Government will include:
  • J-1 visa support.
  • Round-trip travel from Fellow’s home city to the United States and domestic U.S. travel as required by the program. Fellows must depart from their country of residence within an eligible Fellowship country in Africa to the United States.
  • A six-week Leadership Institute.
  • A concluding Summit in Washington, D.C.
  • A limited accident and sickness benefit plan.
  • Housing and meals during the program and
  • An optional four-week Professional Development Experience (for up to 100 Fellows).
• Please note that the U.S. Department of State, IREX, Institutes, and/or PDE Hosts will not provide funds to cover Fellows’ salaries while they are away from work or funds for personal purchases, such as support for Fellows’ home organizations or gifts for family. 

Eligible Countries

•  Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Mandela Washington Fellowship does not discriminate against applicants because of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, education, income, socio-economic status, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic as established by U.S. law.  The Fellowship is committed to fairness, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:
  • Are between the ages of 25 and 35 as of the application deadline (September 10, 2024) although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 may be considered.
  • Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
  • Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
  • Are not employees or immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, or siblings) of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID or other U.S. Government entity).
  • Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English
  • Are not Alumni or prior participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

For more information, visit U.S. Department of State.