Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, USA

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training. It creates unique opportunities for Fellows and Americans to collaborate as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.

Mandela Washington Young African Leadership Scholarship, launched in 2014, is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which supports young people through classroom teaching, leadership training, and networking.

In 2018, the fellowship will provide 700 outstanding young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa with an opportunity to improve their skills at an American college or university and to support post-return career development.

Fellows between the ages of 25 and 35 have successfully promoted innovation and its positive impact in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries. In 2017, members represented a diverse group of leaders from 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Fifty-one members said they had a disability, and 50% were women.

Structure of the Fellowship

The United States-Based Activities:

• Leadership Institutes: Each Mandela Washington Fellow attends a six-week Leadership Institute at a US university or university in one of three areas: Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management. The intensive model includes links between academic sessions, on-site visits, networking opportunities, leadership training, community service, and organized cultural activities.
• Mandela Washington Bursary Summit: Following the Fellowship Scholarship Fellowship, fellows travel to Washington, DC, for a summit meeting that includes a networking meeting and roundtables with US public, private, and for-profit sector leaders.
• Professional development experience: 70 selected fellows are still in the United States to attend four-week professional development experiences with non-governmental organizations, private companies, and US government agencies that affect their interests and goals. The BDP is intended to give scholarship holders practical training and the opportunity to acquire transferable skills, broaden their professional networks, and apply the concepts learned in their institutes to real situations in the American context.

Africa-Based Activities:

• Upon their return to their home country, fellows will continue to learn the skills they have gained during their stay in the United States through the support of the American embassies, four regional leadership centers, the YALI Network, and tailor-made programs from USAID, the US State Department, and affiliated partners.
• Through this experience, select Mandela Washington Fellows can access career development opportunities, mentoring, networking, training, and support for their ideas, businesses, and organizations.
• Fellows can also invite their US partners to travel to Africa to continue project-based collaboration through mutual exchange.

Level of Study:

Mandela Washington Fellowship is designed for young emerging Leaders to empower young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. If you wish to explore more information on Leadership Scholarships, click on the link.

Host Nationality:

Mandela Washington Fellowship 2024 has been hosted in the United States. If you are an international student and you wish to study in the United States, Check out the scholarships in the United States.

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Eligible Nationality:

The recipient of the Young African Leaders fellowship must be a citizen of an African country willing to return to Africa to apply what they have learned. Read also if you wish to study outside your home country Simple and Detailed Answers about Applying and Winning a Scholarship.

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Scholarship Benefits:

There is no application fee for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. The US Government will pay all registration fees if you are selected for the scholarship. The financial arrangements of the US government include:

• J-1 visa support;
• Return home from the hometown of the Fellow in the United States and domestic travel to the United States, depending on the program;
• An academic and management institute of six weeks;
• The final summit in Washington, DC;
• Accident and health insurance plan;
• Accommodation and meals during the program; and
• Optional six-week professional development experience (for up to 100 members).

Note: The scholarship does not cover the salary of the members are not working or paying for personal purchases such as gifts.

Apply now as one of 700 young African leaders to participate in this fully-funded program.

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Scholarship Number

The Young African Leaders Fellowship has a total of 700 offers.

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Eligibility for Scholarship

Candidates are not discriminated against based on race, color, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Mandela Washington Scholarship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• At the time of application, between the ages of 25 and 35, however, exceptional candidates between the ages of 21 and 24 will be considered.
• Are not US 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 of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities).
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English. Applicants who are deaf should consult the Application Instructions for more information.
• Are citizens and residents of one of the following 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, and Zimbabwe.

Selection Criteria

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business, or civic engagement.
• A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
• Strong social and communication skills.
• An energetic, positive attitude.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track.
• A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and community after they return home.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is conducted as a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, a selection panel will review all eligible applications. Chosen semifinalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries.

If selected for an interview, applicants must provide a copy of their passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification to verify eligibility.

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Application Procedure: 

Read the Application Instruction and see the Frequently Asked Questions.

To apply, complete the online application.

For more information, visit Mandela Washington Fellowship.

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Application Deadline:

The application for the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2024 will run as follows;

• September each year, | Application opens
  
• October each year | Application closes
  
• December 2024 – February 2023 | Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates.
  
• Late March 2023 | Applicants are notified of their status
  
• May 2023 | Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for finalists
  
• Mid-June 2023 | Fellowship begins in the United States

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Frequently Asked Questions on Mandela Washington Fellowship

Conclusion

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training and creates unique opportunities for Fellows and Americans to cooperate as they drive growth and prosperity, encourage democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.

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