Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023

Get Ready for the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023ย 

The application for Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023 for young African leaders will be open on the 12th August, 2022. The fellowship offer an unparalleled opportunity for young African leaders to enjoy the following rare benefits:

  • Participate in a six-weekย Leadership Instituteย at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from U.S. citizens and other Fellows.
  • Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.
  • Attend aย Summitย with young African leaders in Washington, D.C.
  • Meet with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.
  • Strengthen your work through new connections, skills, and ideas.

Join a continental and globalย Alumni Networkย to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.

Application Timeline Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023
  • August 12, 2022ย | Application opens
  • September 17, 2021ย | Application deadline
  • November 2022 โ€“ January 2023ย | Semi-finalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
  • Late March 2023ย | Applicants are notified of their status
  • May 2023ย | Visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations for Finalists
  • Mid-June 2023ย | Fellowship begins in the United States
Selection Criteria For Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023

The Mandela Washington Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition. ย After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by independent readers. ย Following this review, chosen semi-finalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries. Selected semi-finalists will be required to participate in these in-person interviews in their home country within Africa.ย  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.ย  Selected Finalists are required to attend the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in their home country within Africa.

Eligibility For Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. ย 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, or other U.S. Government entity);
  • Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (additional guidance coming for applicants who are deaf);
  • 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 dโ€™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 U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all information included in the application. ย In the event of a discrepancy, or if the information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

What are the criteria for selection for Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023

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 applicantโ€™s country and/or community after they return home.
Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023 Applicationย 

Application for the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2023 Opens August 12, 2022. ? Get Informed when application starts

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