In the summer, The Mandela Washington Fellowship in USA will bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States for an extensive executive-style program aimed at developing skills and enabling Fellows to take on leadership roles in their communities and industries. Selected fellows will participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university where they will share their experiences with U.S citizens and other African Fellows and learn from them.

In this fully funded fellowship, Fellows will have the opportunity to explore various industries other than their daily work which will help to expand their expertise and strengthen their skills. Other than this, fellows will be able to meet with U.S. Government Officials and renowned business leaders. This US exchange program will enhance your work with the help of new connections, skills, and ideas. After the event will end, fellows can join the global Alumni Network that will be useful for them to look for creative solutions to most common problems.

You will have a life-changing experience from this leadership program. Through this fellowship for Africans, participants will establish powerful networks with both Africans and Americans. You’ll be able to regain your self-confidence and motivation to give back to your community. Students will be studying Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management hosted by U.S. colleges or universities which will add to their existing knowledge and teach them new concepts.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected characteristic as defined by U.S. law, including race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, education, income, socioeconomic status, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other. The Fellowship is dedicated to accessibility, fairness, equity, and inclusion. If you belong to one of the countries mentioned above, feel free to apply for this international fellowship program in U.S before the deadline approaches.

Mandela Washington Fellowship in the USA:

Host Country:

•USA

Host organization:

•Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network

Mandela Fellowship Location:

•Washington DC, USA

Fellowship Duration:

•6 weeks

Benefits of Mandela Washington Fellowship in the USA:

•J-1 visa support.
•Round-trip travel from the Fellow’s home city to the United States and necessary domestic U.S.
travel.
•Departure from an eligible Fellowship country in Africa to the United States.
•Six-week Leadership Institute.
•Concluding Summit in Washington, D.C.
•Limited accident and sickness benefit plan.
•Housing and meals during the program.
•Optional four-week Professional Development Experience for up to 100 Fellows.
•Fellows will participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university.
•Opportunity to interact with other fellows attending the event.
•Fellows will become a part of the Global Alumni Network.
•There will be no discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color or any other protected
characteristic.
•Participants will get a chance to meet U.S officials and business executives.
•This is a wonderful chance to explore the USA without financial burden.

Eligibility Criteria for Mandela Washington Fellowship in the USA:

Applicants:

•Should be young African leaders.
•Are between the ages of 25 and 35 years old till September.
•Do not have to be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
•Should be eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
•Must not be employees or family members including spouses, parents, children, or siblings of
any employees of the U.S. Government Departments.
•Should be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
•Must be citizens and permanent residents of one of the following 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), Côte 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.
•Do not have to be Alumni or former participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Documents required for Mandela Fellowship:

•Professional training and certifications.
•Community and Volunteer work.
•Awards, honors, grants and scholarships received.
•Publications.
•Associations and affiliations.
•English language proficiency test scores.
•Personal statement.
•International passport.