Preparing a Strong Application
In the summer of 2027, the Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring approximately 550 young African leaders to the United States. Wondering how you can prepare a strong application before the October 13 deadline? Check out our tips and advice from Fellowship alumni.
As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, keep on applying. I applied 5 times before being selected.”
2021 Fellowship alumnus
Review the eligibility information and selection criteria before beginning your application.
Remember your application is not only used for you to be accepted, but for your placement as well. It should be clear from the start what experience you would benefit from.”
2019 Fellowship alumna
The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
- Proficiency speaking, reading, and writing in English;
- Your essay responses should demonstrate your actual level of English proficiency. Small errors in grammar and spelling will not be counted against you.
- A proven record of accomplishment in business, trade, emerging technologies, governance, and/or security;
- Have you won any awards or been recognized publicly for your work? Be sure to include this information in your resume.
- Use the long essay questions to connect your work to your first-choice track. Why is this track your first choice? What experiences or skills have led you to focus on this sector? Explain your reasoning.
- Make sure your resume reflects knowledge and experience in your first-choice track.
- A demonstrated and clear interest in building and maintaining partnerships with American organizations and businesses that advance shared goals;
- Provide specific examples of how you have initiated/and or sustained partnerships to meet professional challenges and accomplish goals. This can be as small as reaching out to individual team members, or as large as managing a team or identifying a new institutional partner.
- Pay attention to the word and character limit for each question. Answer each question thoroughly and use all available space to share your story.
- A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities;
- How will you use the knowledge and skills developed through the Fellowship to benefit your community and/or country?
- Clearly outline your goals and specific plans wherever possible in essay responses.
- The ability to work cooperatively in groups and to respect others;
- Have you had an experience where you’ve disagreed with team members or colleagues? Have you mediated a disagreement in your community? Highlight these examples as possible in your essays.
- Make sure that any relevant experience, including mentorship and volunteerism, is reflected both in your resume and your essay responses.
- Strong social and communication skills;
- Are there any specific examples of initiatives you’ve led or new solutions you’ve introduced? How have you gained support for these efforts?
- Demonstrated adaptability and the ability to lead effectively in varying and changing environments.
- Highlight how you have worked to overcome and learn from adversity in your professional endeavors.
As you complete your application, keep in mind that all content must be truthful, accurate, and written in your own voice. Plagiarism—including copying or closely paraphrasing text from any source without clear acknowledgment—is not permitted. Responsible use of technology is permitted with transparency. You may use spell-check, grammar support, translation applications, or other technology to help with clarity or language mechanics; however, the substance of your responses – your experiences, examples, reasoning, and plans – must be your own and should demonstrate your actual proficiency level in English, if English is not your first language. If you use any technology (including AI) to help prepare your responses, you must disclose this in the application.
Applicants with special needs who require another person’s assistance to complete an application may use such assistance. However, the thoughts, ideas, and content of your application must be your own; you may not collaborate with another person on the substantive content of your responses.
Key Tips
Tip 1: Don’t procrastinate
Start preparing your essays early. It is easy to underestimate the time and difficulty involved in developing your answers. Applications are due October 13, 2026.
Tip 2: Save your work
You do not have to finish your application in one sitting. Gather supporting documents and write responses before you log back into the application system to submit.
Tip 3: Do not copy or share content
Your application will be disqualified if you copy language from past applicants’ essays or from other sources (including websites or blogs), as this is considered plagiarism. The U.S. Department of State and IREX will check all applications for plagiarism. For more information, please visit Plagiarism.org.
Tip 4: Be original and authentic
Focus on what makes you stand out. If you are making an impact on your community – however big or small – say so.
Remember that your story is unique. Be as authentic as possible when you write about it.”
2019 Fellowship alumna
Tip 5: Answer all questions in English
Applications will only be accepted in English. Sections in another language will not be reviewed and therefore will hurt your score. You can improve your English language skills for free through the Online Professional English Network. Small grammatical and spelling errors will not count against you.
Tip 6: Proofread your answers
Re-read all your responses before submitting your application and ask a friend to read them as well. Once you have submitted your application, you can no longer make any changes.
Tip 7: Use real world examples
Each essay is an opportunity to prove why you are an excellent candidate for the Fellowship. Share examples from your work to highlight your skills and experiences that demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria.
Regarding essays, answer your questions with real examples that tell your story. How have you demonstrated in real terms what the question is asking? Show a sequence from how things were before you stepped in, what you did differently, and the results.”
2018 Fellowship alumna
Tip 8: Submit your application online
The official application for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is only available online and is free of charge. Don’t fall for scammers trying to charge you to submit your application.
Tip 9: Highlight your accomplishments
Don’t be modest. If you have won any awards or been recognized publicly for your work, include this information in your resume and application. List any volunteer work and use the long essay questions to highlight your knowledge, skills, and leadership experience.
Focus on your story, your passions for the work you’re doing.”
2018 Fellowship alumnus
Tip 10: Share your impact and goals
Explain what skills or experiences have led you to where you are today and connect your experience to your first-choice track. Use the essay questions to show how the Fellowship will help you develop new skills and clearly outline your plans after returning home.
Take time to ascertain what path you will want to pursue post-Fellowship because the Fellowship will equip you with transferable skills that you will use to amplify the work you’re already doing.”
2019 Fellowship Alumna