Applications are now open for the YALI 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship. The Mandela Washington Fellowship will 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.

Eligibility Requirements

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 (additional guidance coming for applicants who are deaf);
• Are citizens 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), 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;
• Are residents of one of the above countries and will be permanently residing there as of May 1, 2025 and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2025; and
• Are not Alumni or prior participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Please note that Fellows are not allowed to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the Fellowship.

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.

Selection Criteria

• A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business or entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and/or public/government service; ​
• A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship; ​
• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others; ​Strong social and communication skills; ​An energetic, positive, and flexible attitude; ​
• A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/Fellowship track and concrete goals for applying lessons knowledge and skills gained from the Fellowship to current and/or future work; and  
• ​A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities. 

Application and Selection Timeline

• August 13, 2024 | Application opens
• September 10, 2024  |  Application deadline
• November 2024 – January 2025  |  Semi-finalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
• March 2025 |  Applicants notified of their status
• May 2025  |  Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for Finalists
• June 2025  |  Fellowship begins in the United States

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the YALI 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship

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