FellowshipFully Funded
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Sub-Saharan African Leaders [FULLY-FUNDED]
The Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring up to 700 Sub-Saharan African leaders to the United States for a program that is designed to build skills and empower., Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Host country
- United States
- Region
- Americas
About this scholarship
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[August 11, 2021August 20, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/08/11/)
The Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring up to 700 young Sub-Saharan African leaders to the United States for a comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.
**Opening on:** August 18 – September 15, 2021
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### Table of contents
- [Mandela Washington Fellowship Coverage](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-mandela-washington-fellowship-coverage)
- [Mandela Washington Fellowship Details](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-mandela-washington-fellowship-details)
- [Leadership Institutes](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-leadership-institutes)
- [Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-mandela-washington-fellowship-summit)
- [Professional Development Experience](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-professional-development-experience)
- [Reciprocal Exchanges](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-reciprocal-exchanges)
- [Post-Fellowship Opportunities for Alumni](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-post-fellowship-opportunities-for-alumni)
- [Virtual Programming](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-virtual-programming)
- [Eligibility Criteria for Sub-Saharan African Leaders](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-eligibility-criteria-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders)
- [How to Apply](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-sub-saharan-african-leaders-fully-funded/#h-how-to-apply)
## Mandela Washington Fellowship Coverage
- Sub-Saharan African leaders selected for the fellowship will be fully-funded by the US government. Participation costs covered include the following: J-1 visa support;
- Round-trip travel from Fellow’s home city to the U.S. and domestic U.S. travel as required by the program;
- A six-week academic and leadership institute;
- Concluding Summit in Washington, DC;
- Accident and sickness benefit plan;
- Housing and meals during the program; and
- An optional six-week Professional Development Experience (for up to 100 Fellows).
Mandela Washington Fellows will also have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, mentoring, networking and training, and support for their ideas, businesses, and organizations.
\*IMPORTANT NOTE: The fellowship will not cover salary while fellows are away from work or funds for personal purchases such as gifts.
## Mandela Washington Fellowship Details
As the flagship program of the US government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Mandela Washington Fellowship gathers fellows aged 25-35.
The outstanding Sub-Saharan African Leaders are given the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. college or university with support for professional development after they return home.
Moreover, the Mandela Washington Fellowships for Young African Leaders empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking.
Here are some of the US-based activities included within the fellowship program:
### Leadership Institutes
Each year, the Mandela Washington fellows participate in six-week [Leadership Institutes,](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/leadership-institutes/) studying Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management at US colleges or universities. During their time on campus, participants connect with Americans and enrich local US communities while sharing best practices.
### Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit
After the Institutes, fellows convene for a multi-day [summit](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/summit/) in Washington, DC, where they forge connections with one another and US leaders from the private, public, and non-profit sectors, setting the stage for long-term engagement between the United States and Africa.
### Professional Development Experience
Following the summit, a group of competitively selected Fellows remains in the United States for four weeks to work with private, public, and non-profit organizations. During the [Professional Development Experience](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/pde/) (PDEs), both fellows and hosts benefit from discussing shared issues and challenges in their sectors, broadening their perspectives, and positioning US organizations for international engagement.
### Reciprocal Exchanges
Americans have the opportunity to apply to travel to Africa to [collaborate](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/reciprocal-exchanges/) on projects with fellows, building upon connections initiated during the program. These partnerships and professional connections are intended to form lasting relationships, expand markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding.
### Post-Fellowship Opportunities for Alumni
Fellows continue to build on the skills and connections developed during the program through access to ongoing professional development, networking, and collaboration [opportunities](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/alumni/) with support from the US Department of State and affiliated partners.
### Virtual Programming
The fellowship leverages stakeholder expertise to deliver a suite of [virtual programming](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/virtual-programming/) for selected candidates and Fellowship Alumni to support their continued leadership development and strengthen their access to networks and resources.
## Eligibility Criteria for Sub-Saharan African Leaders
Applicants interest to apply for the fellowship 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 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will 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 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 refer to the English Language instructions on the Resources page);
- Are citizens 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, or Zimbabwe;
- Are residents of one of the above countries; and
- Are not Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel. Following this review, chosen semifinalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries. If advanced to the semi-finalist round, applicants must provide a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification at the time of the interview. Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
- A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business, civic engagement, or public 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 attitude;
- A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track; and
- 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.
## How to Apply
To start your application process, please download and read the [Mandela Washington Fellowship Application Instructions](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MWF-2022-Application-Instructions_FINAL-1.pdf) carefully. You may also refer to the [Resources Page](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/resources/) to learn more about special information and additional resources.
Meanwhile, Frequently Asked Questions can be found [here](https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/apply-faqs/). _You may also contact the fellowship’s team at [_MWFellowship@irex.org_](mailto:MWFellowship@irex.org) with any questions not answered on the page._
* * *
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Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Currently applying to or enrolled at the Fellowship level
- Willing to study in United States
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
- Demonstrated financial need (most fully funded sponsors verify household income)
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
- Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
- Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Sub-Saharan African Leaders [FULLY-FUNDED]?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Fellowship level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to United States for the duration of the programme.
Is the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Sub-Saharan African Leaders [FULLY-FUNDED] fully funded?+
Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.