Scholarship Overview
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Program Overview
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the U.S. government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). In summer 2027, approximately 550 young leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa will travel to the United States for an intensive six-week executive-style program designed to build leadership capacity and strengthen transatlantic partnerships.
The Fellowship places participants at U.S. colleges and universities where they engage with American experts in business and trade, emerging technologies, and governance and security. The program combines academic coursework, site visits, networking opportunities, and cultural immersion to create a comprehensive leadership development experience.
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What the Fellowship Covers
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is fully funded. Selected participants receive:
- Round-trip international travel from home country to the United States
- Accommodation and meals during the six-week institute
- Visa processing support and pre-departure orientation
- Access to American leaders in public and private sectors
- Membership in the YALI Network of nearly 7,800 alumni
Fellows are not permitted to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the program.
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Eligibility Requirements
The Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet all of the following criteria:
- Age: Between 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline; exceptional applicants aged 21-24 may be considered
- Citizenship: Citizen of one of 49 eligible Sub-Saharan African countries (see full list below)
- Residency: Permanently residing in an eligible country as of February 1, 2027, and at program start in June 2027
- English proficiency: Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English
- Visa eligibility: Eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa
- Non-U.S. status: Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- No U.S. government employment: Not an employee or immediate family member of U.S. Government employees
- Not a prior participant: Not an alumnus or previous participant of the Mandela Washington Fellowship
Eligible Countries
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 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, Zimbabwe
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated on a merit basis using these criteria:
- Proven record of accomplishment in business, trade, emerging technologies, governance, and/or security
- Demonstrated interest in building partnerships with American organizations and businesses
- Commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute to community development
- Ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups
- Strong social and communication skills
- Adaptability and effective leadership in changing environments
Application Timeline 2026-2027
| September 22, 2026 | Application opens |
| October 13, 2026 | Application deadline |
| November 2026 – January 2027 | Semi-finalists interviewed by U.S. embassies and consulates |
| February/March 2027 | Applicants notified of status |
| March – May 2027 | Visa processing and pre-departure orientations for finalists |
| June 2027 | Fellowship begins in the United States |
Application Process
The Mandela Washington Fellowship uses a multi-stage selection process:
- Online application: Submit complete application through the official portal by October 13, 2026
- Technical eligibility screening: Applications not meeting basic requirements are not forwarded to the selection committee
- Merit review: Eligible applications are scored against selection criteria
- Embassy interviews: Selected semi-finalists are interviewed in person by U.S. embassy or consulate staff in their home countries
- Documentation verification: Semi-finalists must provide passport or government-issued photo ID at interview
- Final selection: Finalists are notified and must attend mandatory pre-departure orientation
Important Notes for Applicants
The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all application information. Discrepancies or false information will result in immediate disqualification.
Selection of finalists from all eligible countries may be reviewed in response to events affecting travel or program activities. Nationals of countries with U.S. entry or visa suspensions may apply, but selection will be considered case-by-case.
Current IREX employees, consultants, and their immediate family members are ineligible for IREX-implemented programs.
Preparing a Strong Application
Successful applicants demonstrate concrete achievements in their sectors, clear goals for transatlantic partnership, and specific plans for applying skills upon return to Africa. Review the official application instructions and preparation resources before applying.
Official scholarship page: https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/apply/
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
