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FellowshipFully funded six-week Leadership Institute in the U.S. (non-degree)

Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027

Last verified 5 October 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The U.S. government's flagship YALI exchange: about 550 young African leaders spend six weeks at a U.S. Leadership Institute in summer 2027.

Provider
U.S. Department of State (administered by IREX)
Host country
United States
Deadline
13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT)
Region
Americas

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
Citizens and residents of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country aged 25–35 by the deadline (exceptional 21–24-year-olds considered), proficient in English, eligible for a J-1 visa, not U.S. citizens/permanent residents, U.S. government employees or their families, or Fellowship alumni.
Funding
Fully funded six-week Leadership Institute in the U.S. (non-degree)
Study level
Fellowship
Deadline
13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT)

Key eligibility criteria

  • Citizens and residents of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country aged 25–35 by the deadline (exceptional 21–24-year-olds considered), proficient in English, eligible for a J-1 visa, not U.S. citizens/permanent residents, U.S. government employees or their families, or Fellowship alumni.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully funded six-week Leadership Institute in the U.S. (non-degree)

About the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 (2026)

The 2027 Fellowship brings around 550 accomplished young African professionals to the United States for academic coursework, site visits and networking at a six-week Leadership Institute, with an optional Professional Development Experience for some Fellows. Apply only through apply.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org before 4:00 PM GMT on Tuesday 13 October 2026.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully funded six-week Leadership Institute in the U.S. (non-degree)

Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Citizens and residents of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country aged 25–35 by the deadline (exceptional 21–24-year-olds considered), proficient in English, eligible for a J-1 visa, not U.S. citizens/permanent residents, U.S. government employees or their families, or Fellowship alumni.

Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/2027-application-instructions/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: Citizens and residents of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country aged 25–35 by the deadline (exceptional 21–24-year-olds considered), proficient in English, eligible for a J-1 visa, not U.S. citizens/permanent residents, U.S. government employees or their families, or Fellowship alumni.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: 13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: 13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT)

      Provider deadline information: 13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

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    Editorial verification note

    Checked 5 Oct 2026 against the official 2027 application instructions (deadline 16:00 GMT, 13 Oct 2026) and the official "Preparing a strong application" page (about 550 Fellows).
    Last checked 10/5/2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027?+

    Citizens and residents of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country aged 25–35 by the deadline (exceptional 21–24-year-olds considered), proficient in English, eligible for a J-1 visa, not U.S. citizens/permanent residents, U.S. government employees or their families, or Fellowship alumni.

    What funding does the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027 offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully funded six-week Leadership Institute in the U.S. (non-degree). Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: 13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/2027-application-instructions/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Citizens and residents of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country aged 25–35 by the deadline (exceptional 21–24-year-olds considered), proficient in English, eligible for a J-1 visa, not U.S. citizens/permanent residents, U.S. government employees or their families, or Fellowship alumni.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: 13 October 2026 16:00 GMT+0 (GMT). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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