Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 in the United States
The Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 will bring approximately 550 young African leaders to the United States in summer 2027. The programme includes a six-week executive-style institute at a U.S. college or university, professional networking, and engagement with American experts and leaders. Applications are open until October 13, 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
Host: U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Country: United States
Programme Format: Executive-Style Leadership Programme
Programme Start: June 2027
Participants: Approximately 550 young African leaders
Application Status: Open
Deadline: October 13, 2026
About the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is designed to empower young African leaders to lead in their sectors and communities while building partnerships with American counterparts.
Selected Fellows participate in a six-week executive-style institute hosted by a U.S. college or university.
The programme also provides opportunities to engage with American experts, public- and private-sector leaders, and other professionals while expanding participants’ networks and knowledge.
The Fellowship has an active network of nearly 7,800 alumni.
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What the Fellowship Offers
The 2027 Fellowship provides several academic, leadership, and networking experiences.
Participants will have opportunities to:
✓ Participate in a six-week executive-style institute at a U.S. college or university
✓ Share experiences with and learn from American experts
✓ Engage with experts in business and trade, emerging technologies, and governance and security
✓ Meet American leaders from the public and private sectors
✓ Strengthen professional networks
✓ Explore American innovation, industry, history, and culture
✓ Join an active network of nearly 7,800 Fellowship alumni
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Eligibility Criteria
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
• Be between 25 and 35 years old on or before the application deadline. Exceptional applicants aged 21–24 may also be considered.
• Not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• Be eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
• Not be employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government.
• Be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Be citizens of an eligible country.
• Be residents of an eligible country and permanently reside there as of February 1, 2027, and at the beginning of the Fellowship in June 2027.
• Not be alumni or prior participants of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
Current IREX employees and consultants and their immediate family members are also not eligible for IREX-implemented grant programmes.
Fellows cannot have dependents, including spouses or children, accompany them during the Fellowship.
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be citizens of one of the eligible countries listed by the Fellowship:
• Angola
• Benin
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Cabo Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Republic of the Congo
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Cote d’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
• Zimbabwe
Selection Criteria
The Mandela Washington Fellowship uses a merit-based open competition.
Applications are evaluated according to criteria including:
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English
• A proven record of accomplishment in business, trade, emerging technologies, governance, and/or security
• Clear interest in building and maintaining partnerships with American organisations and businesses that advance shared goals
• Commitment to returning to Sub-Saharan Africa and contributing skills and talents to communities
• Ability to work cooperatively in groups and respect others
• Strong social and communication skills
• Adaptability and ability to lead effectively in changing environments
After eligible applications are reviewed and scored, selected semifinalists are interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates.
Semifinalists must provide an international passport, if available, or another government-issued photo identification during the interview.
Selected finalists must participate in a mandatory in-person pre-departure orientation.
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Application and Selection Timeline
The official 2027 timeline is:
• September 22, 2026: Application opens
• October 13, 2026: Application deadline
• November 2026 – January 2027: Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
• February/March 2027: Applicants notified of their status
• March – May 2027: Visa processing and pre-departure orientations for finalists
• June 2027: Fellowship begins in the United States
Application Process
Applicants should first review the official eligibility requirements and selection criteria.
Eligible candidates can then access the official online application system and complete the 2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship application.
The Fellowship verifies information included in applications. Candidates selected as semifinalists must provide documentation confirming their age, citizenship, and residency during the interview stage.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 must be submitted by:
October 13, 2026
The official programme page confirms that applications for the 2027 Fellowship are currently open.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
