The Mandela Washington Fellowship aims to bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2024. Designed in an executive style, the program seeks to develop skills and empower fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.
Application and Selection Process for the Mandela Washington Fellowship
The Mandela Washington Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition. After the application deadline, independent evaluators will review all eligible applications. Following this initial review, chosen semifinalists will undergo interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries in Africa. If advanced to the semifinalist stage, applicants must provide a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification at the time of the interview. Selected finalists are required to attend a mandatory pre-fellowship orientation in their home country in Africa.
Eligible Countries for the Mandela Washington Fellowship
Countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ivory Coast, 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, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. READ: Ireland Fellows Programme – Africa – Fully Funded
Who Can Apply for Mandela Washington Fellowship?
The Mandela Washington Fellowship ensures that there is no form of discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It opens its doors to young African leaders who meet specific criteria:
- Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 35 by the application deadline, although exceptions will be made for outstanding candidates aged 21 to 24.
- Applicants must not hold citizenship or permanent residency in the United States and must meet the eligibility requirements for a U.S. J-1 visa.
- Neither the applicants nor their immediate family members can be employed by the U.S. government.
- English proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking is required. Additional guidelines will be provided for deaf applicants.
- Citizenship in one of the listed African countries, as well as residency, is crucial.
- Previous Mandela Washington Fellows cannot reapply to the program.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria, not listed in order of importance:
- A proven track record of leadership and achievements in business, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and/or public/government service.
- A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteering, or mentoring.
- The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect others’ opinions.
- Strong social and communication skills.
- A positive, energetic, and flexible attitude.
- Demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector or area of focus for the program.
- A commitment to returning to Sub-Saharan Africa to use the skills and talents acquired through the fellowship to serve their communities.
Application Procedure
The application procedure for the Mandela Washington Fellowship typically involves multiple steps:
1. Register on the Portal: The first step usually involves creating an account on the program’s application portal.
2. Complete the Form: After registration, candidates often need to fill out an online application form, which may require personal, academic, and professional information.
3. Submit Documentation: This stage usually necessitates the submission of diplomas, certificates, recommendation letters, and possibly a Curriculum Vitae (CV).
4. Essays and Statements: Candidates are generally required to write essays or personal statements explaining why they are suitable for the program and how they plan to use the experience to benefit their communities.
5. Submission: After carefully reviewing all the information and documents, the candidate can then proceed to submit the application.
6. Interviews and Assessments: Successful candidates are usually invited for interviews or other forms of assessment.
7. Notification: Chosen applicants are generally informed via email or through the application portal.
8. Visa Process: Once accepted, candidates usually have to go through a visa application process.
9. Preparation for the Trip: Finally, upon securing the visa and receiving further guidance, candidates begin to prepare for the journey and participation in the program.
Each stage may have specific deadlines and additional requirements, so it’s crucial to pay attention to details and follow all instructions provided by the program.
VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE: [CLICK HERE]
Validity: September 12, 2023.
