Seeking Readers for 2022 Fellowship Applications
The U.S. Department of State and IREX seek academic, professional, and regional experts to read and score applications for the 2022 Fellowship.
Learn MoreTen Questions with Tony
On April 27, 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Fellowship Alumni and other members of the YALI Network during his virtual visit to Africa.
Watch NowSupporting Farmers Through Renewable Energy
2016 Fellowship Alumnus Dysmus Kisilu is helping rural farmers reduce post-harvest loss through mobile solar-powered cold storage units.
Learn MoreDeveloping Communities through Cross-Continent Alumni Partnerships
LINC grants provide small grants for Fellowship Alumni to pursue professional collaborations within the Alumni Network.
Learn MorePreparing Deaf Fellows for Success
Since 2017, the Fellowship has partnered with Gallaudet University to help Deaf Fellows strengthen their ASL skills and get ready for their Fellowships.
Learn MoreABOUT US
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI was created in 2010 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020. Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 4,400 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries.
Learn MoreBUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.
Program Impact
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49
?Sub-Saharan African CountriesFellows have come from all 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. -
4,400
?Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni NetworkSince 2014, nearly 4,400 Fellowship Alumni have completed the program. -
2,300
?Companies and Organziations EngagedSince 2014, the program has engaged more than 2,300 institutions from the private, nonprofit, governmental, and multilateral sectors across the United States during Institutes, PDEs, Reciprocal Exchanges, and the Summit. -
39,000
?Hours of Support Dedicated to U.S. CommunitiesSince 2016, Fellows have dedicated more than 39,000 hours of service to support U.S. communities during their Leadership Institutes.
Stories
Read the first-place prize-winning poem from the YALI 10 Competition by Chidzani Mbenge, 2019 Fellowship Alumna from Botswana.
View All StoriesNews
News
Seeking Readers for 2022 Fellowship Applications
July 13, 2021
Videos
Ten Questions with Tony: Secretary Blinken's Virtual Visit with the YALI Network
April 27, 2021
How are you contributing to the next generation of African Leaders?
“I believe that the Mandela Washington Fellowship has made me a stronger and better leader and has challenged me to think outside the box… There can only be more, bigger, and better to come from me, my fellow Fellows, and the continent of Africa as a whole.”
– Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumuna
The application period for the 2020 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders has closed. Check out the 2020 Fellowship Application timeline and process, eligibility information, and more by clicking here. We can't wait to meet the next Mandela Washington Fellows!
Learn more-
October 9, 2019
Application closed
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Oct - Nov 2019
Application review
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Dec 2019 - Feb 2020
Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
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Late March 2020
Applicants are notified of their status
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May 2020
Finalist visa processing and Pre-Departure Orientations
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Mid-June 2020
Fellowship begins in the United States
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Including Fellows, Reciprocal Exchange Participants, and U.S. Partners
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