Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 for Young Africans [Fully Funded]

Applications are now open for the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027, offering young African leaders a fully funded opportunity to participate in an intensive leadership and professional development programme in the United States.

The Fellowship is the flagship programme of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). In summer 2027, approximately 550 young African leaders will travel to the United States for a six-week executive-style Leadership Institute hosted by U.S. colleges and universities.

SUMMARY:

• Fellowship Sponsor: U.S. Government
• Administered By: IREX
• Host Country: United States
• Funding: Fully Funded
• Number of Fellows: Approximately 550
• Duration: 6 Weeks
• Target Group: Young African Leaders
• Eligible Age: Primarily 25–35 Years

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Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 | Program Overview

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, simply called YALI Fellowship, is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of accomplished young professionals from Sub-Saharan Africa while building connections between African and American leaders.

Fellows participate in a six-week executive-style Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university, engaging with American experts and exploring areas including Business and Trade, Emerging Technologies, and Governance and Security. Participants also take part in networking, community engagement and activities that expose them to American innovation, industry and culture.

Up to 50 Fellows may also be selected for an additional four-week Professional Development Experience (PDE) with U.S. organisations after completing their Leadership Institute.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the 2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship must generally:

• Be 25–35 years old on or before the application deadline. Exceptional applicants aged 21–24 may also be considered.
• Be a citizen and resident of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country.
• Not be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa.
• Be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• Not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee of the U.S. Government.
• Not be a previous Mandela Washington Fellow.
• Be permanently residing in an eligible country as of February 1, 2027 and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2027.
• Demonstrate leadership and professional accomplishments and a commitment to contributing to their community.

Eligible Countries:

Eligible countries for 2027 YALI Fellowship include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other eligible countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fellowship Benefits

There is no application fee, and the U.S. Government covers the major programme costs for selected Fellows, including:

• J-1 visa support.
• Round-trip travel from the Fellow’s home city to the United States.
• Required domestic travel within the United States.
• Full participation in the six-week Leadership Institute.
• Housing and meals during the programme.
• Limited accident and sickness benefit plan.
• Leadership and professional development activities.
• Networking with American professionals, organisations and leaders.
• Optional four-week Professional Development Experience for up to 50 selected Fellows.

The Fellowship does not cover Fellows’ salaries while they are away from their regular employment or personal purchases.

Selection Criteria

Selection is merit-based. Applicants are assessed on factors including:

• Demonstrated leadership and professional accomplishments.
• Experience in relevant Fellowship sectors.
• English-language proficiency.
• Interest in building partnerships with American organisations and businesses.
• Commitment to returning to Sub-Saharan Africa and contributing to their communities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups.
• Adaptability and leadership potential.

Application Procedures

How to Apply: The interested and eligible candidates for the 2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship should:

1. Visit the official Mandela Washington Fellowship application portal.
2. Create or access an application account.
3. Complete all required sections of the 2027 application.
4. Provide accurate personal, citizenship, residency and professional information.
5. Complete the leadership assessments and required written responses.
6. Review the application carefully and submit it before the deadline.

The application is completed online and there is no fee to apply.

Application Documents

The initial online application primarily requires applicants to provide personal, educational and professional information and complete the required written responses.

Applicants selected as semifinalists will be required to provide supporting documentation verifying their age, citizenship and residency and should provide an international passport, if available, or another government-issued photo identification during the interview process.

Applicants with questions about the Fellowship can contact the Fellowship Team at [email protected].

Application Timeline

• September 22, 2026: Applications open
• October 13, 2026: Application deadline
• November 2026 – January 2027: Semifinalist interviews
• February/March 2027: Applicants notified of their status
• March – May 2027: Visa processing and pre-departure orientation
• June 2027: Fellowship begins in the United States

Application Deadline: October 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM GMT.

Visit the Official Website for Further Details