Applications are invited for Mandela Washington Fellowship available for young African leaders. Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered. The Fellowship is available for six weeks of intensive executive leadership training, networking, and skills building, followed by a Presidential Summit in Washington, D.C. Up to 100 Fellows will remain in the United States for an additional six to eight weeks after their academic institute and Summit to participate in internships in the public, private and non-profit sectors with organizations throughout the United States. The application deadline is November 11, 2015.
Study Subject(s): Fellowships are awarded for skills development in one of three areas: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, or Public Management.
Course Level: Fellowships are available for academic coursework and leadership training.
Scholarship Provider: The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. government and is supported in its implementation by IREX.Scholarship can be taken at: USA
Eligibility: Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:
- Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered.
- Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
- Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
- Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
- 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, 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, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Individuals residing in Eritrea and Zimbabwe may not apply to the Public Management track. Residents of Sudan may only apply for the Civic Leadership track.
Scholarship Open for International Students: Citizens of 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, 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, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe can apply for this Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Scholarship Description: The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the President's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies President Obama's commitment to invest in the future of Africa. The first class of Mandela Washington Fellows arrived in June 2014 for six weeks of intensive executive leadership training, networking, and skills building, followed by a Presidential Summit in Washington, D.C. Through this initiative, young African leaders are gaining the skills and connections they need to accelerate their own career trajectories and contribute more robustly to strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa. Selected Mandela Washington Fellows should be prepared for an academically and professionally challenging program.
Number of award(s): The Fellowship provides 500 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.
Duration of award(s): Each Mandela Washington Fellow takes part in a six-week academic and leadership Institute at a U.S. university or college. Following the academic component of the Fellowship, the Fellows visit Washington, D.C., up to three days for a Presidential summit. 100 selected Fellows remain in the United States to participate in a six-week professional development experience with U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies, and governmental agencies that relate to their professional interests and goals.
What does it cover? There is no fee to apply to the Mandela Washington Fellowship. If you are selected for the Fellowship, the U.S. government will cover all participant 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 U.S. and other required travel;
- Customized academic and leadership institute;
- Concluding Presidential Summit in Washington, DC;
- Accident and sickness benefit plan;
- Housing and meals during the program; and
- A potential six to eight-week internship at the conclusion of the academic and leadership institute
(optional, and competitive for approximately 100 slots).
Please note that Fellows will be housed in university dorms or similar accommodations. Fellows may be expected to share a bedroom and bathroom with another fellow of the same gender. Most meals will be provided at campus cafeterias or restaurants, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some meals on their own. It is important that applicants are aware of these arrangements and that they are
comfortable with such accommodations. To the extent possible, care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are satisfied.
Selection Criteria: The Mandela Washington Fellowship is conducted as a merit-based open competition. 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 and entrepreneurship, 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, interest and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
- A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant's country and/or community after they return home.
Notification: Applicants are notified of their status in March 2016.
How to Apply: The mode of applying is online.
Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is November 11, 2015.
Note: Applications of this fellowship will open on 1st October, 2015.
