The U.S. Department of State and IREX are pleased to announce that the application for the 2025 Alumni Professional Development Experience (PDE), open to Fellowship Alumni from all cohort years, is now open.

Alumni PDEs provide Fellowship Alumni who have not previously participated in a PDE with the valuable opportunity to further hone their professional skills and connect with U.S. professionals working in the same industries. The robust virtual model includes a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on their own time) work, along with virtual networking and other professional development opportunities.

The 2025 Alumni PDEs will take place from January 21 to February 28, 2025.  Alumni PDE Participants must plan their schedules to accommodate synchronous (live) activities agreed upon with their PDE Host but will not need to take a leave of absence from work in order to fully participate.  Participants should expect to commit an average of approximately 10-15 hours per week to the PDE.  The required weekly time commitment will allow Participants to fully engage while managing their personal and professional responsibilities.  Participants will not be paid for their participation in the Alumni PDE but will have the opportunity to apply for a stipend to offset costs for technology and other needs that support their ability to fully participate in the PDE.

While Participants participate in the Alumni PDEs from their home communities, they are able to engage with their peers across the continent through structured programming elements that will allow them to develop strong ties within their PDE cohort.

Application Information

Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni in good standing who have not previously participated in a PDE and who will be residing in one of the 49 sub-Saharan African countries for the duration of the PDE period. 

Eligible applicants will be reviewed using the following selection criteria: 

• Demonstrated potential for growth and learning through the PDE, regardless of years of prior work experience.   
• Clear focus on specific goals for the PDE and demonstrated vision of how their career will progress through participation in the PDE.  
• Identification of transferable skills to be gained through the PDE and openness to a variety of learning experiences, rather than a focus on a specific type of host institution.   
• Demonstrated high level of English fluency.  
• Strong sense of expertise, experience, and networks they can contribute to a U.S. Host Organization.    

Both the online application and video interview must be submitted by 11:59 EDT, September 4, 2024, for an application to be considered complete. 

All completed applications received by 11:59 EDT, September 4, 2024 will be evaluated competitively against the eligibility requirements and selection criteria.  Taking these criteria into account, the Fellowship Team will also strive for balance across countries, genders, tracks, and industries within the selected PDE cohort.  

Application and Program Timeline

• Application Opens | August 14, 2024
• Application Deadline | September 4, 2024 
• PDE Period | January 21 – February 28, 2025 

Application Requirements

To apply, Fellowship Alumni are required to complete and submit the online application.

All completed applications received by 11:59 EDT, September 4, 2024 will be evaluated competitively against the eligibility requirements and selection criteria. 

Questions?

Email the Fellowship Team at MWFAlumni@irex.org.