MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP 2018 FOR YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS (FULLY FUNDED)

Selection Process

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is conducted as a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel. Chosen semifinalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries. If selected for an interview, applicants must provide a copy of their passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification to verify eligibility.
The 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship application opens
on Wednesday, 13 September at 16:00 GMT/UTC.

Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants 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 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered.
Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Are citizens and residents 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, 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, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all of the information included in the application. In the event that there is a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

Applications not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee. If you do not meet the technical eligibility requirements for this program, we invite you to visit exchanges.state.gov for information on other U.S. Department of State exchange opportunities.

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
There is no fee to apply to the Mandela Washington Fellowship. If you are selected for the Fellowship, the
U.S. government will cover all participant costs.
Financial provisions provided by the U.S. Government will include:
 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).
 Please note: the Fellowship will not cover salary while Fellows are away from work or funds for
personal purchases such as gifts.
Please note that Fellows will be housed in university dorms or similar accommodations. Fellows may be
expected to share a bedroom and bathroom with another Fellow of the same gender. Most meals will be
provided at campus cafeterias or restaurants, though participants may have access to a kitchen to cook some
meals on their own. Please note that campus cafeterias will not offer the same types and varieties of foods
that applicants may access in their home countries. It is important that applicants are aware of these
arrangements and that they are comfortable with such accommodations. To the extent possible, care will be
taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing, and medical care are
satisfied. However, Fellows should understand that food and housing may be very different from what they
are used to at home and should be open to new experiences.

What are the criteria for selection?
Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
Strong social and communication skills.
An energetic, positive attitude.
Demonstrated knowledge, interest and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
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.

Application Information
The application will collect basic information and will include questions regarding the applicant’s professional and academic experience, including educational background; honors and awards received; extracurricular and volunteer activities; and English language proficiency. We will also request a résumé (with dated educational and professional background), and personal information (name, address, phone, email, country of citizenship). Additional elements, such as letters of recommendation or university transcripts, are OPTIONAL and may supplement your application.
VISIT THE MANDELA FELLOWSHIP PAGE