Deadline: October 13, 2026
Applications are open for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2027. This is your chance for access to a 6-week training at a top U.S. educational institution in Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management. The Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring approximately 550 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2027 for a comprehensive executive-style program designed to empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities and build partnerships with American counterparts.
The Fellowship is an unparalleled opportunity to…
- Join an active network of nearly 7,800 alumni.
- Participate in a six-week executive-style institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from American experts.
- Engage with U.S. experts in in business and trade, emerging technologies, and governance and security.
- Meet with American leaders in the public and private sectors to strengthen your professional network.
- Explore American innovation, industry, history, and culture to expand your expertise.
Eligibility
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 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 or other U.S. Government entity);*
- Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (applicants who are deaf should refer to the “English Language” section of the application instructions);
- 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 February 1, 2027, and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2027; and
- Are not alumni or prior participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
*Current IREX employees and consultants and their immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, and siblings) are not eligible to apply for any IREX-implemented grant programs, either as individuals or as the responsible party representing an institutional applicant.
Please note that Fellows are not allowed to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the Fellowship.
Selection Criteria
The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
- Proficiency speaking, reading, and writing in English;
- A proven record of accomplishment in business, trade, emerging technologies, governance, and/or security;
- A demonstrated and clear interest in building and maintaining partnerships with American organizations and businesses that advance shared goals;
- A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities;
- The ability to work cooperatively in groups and to respect others;
- Strong social and communication skills; and
- Demonstrated adaptability and the ability to lead effectively in varying and changing environments.
Application
The 2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship application instructions provide detailed guidance for applicants. This resource explains eligibility requirements, application components, selection criteria, and key deadlines, while outlining the information required in each section of the application.
Applicants are encouraged to review these instructions before beginning an application to better understand Fellowship requirements and prepare materials in advance. Download the application instructions here.
For more information, visit MWF.
