2014 Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

On July 28, 2014, in front of 500 exceptional young leaders, President Obama announced the renaming of the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in honor of Nelson Mandela. He also announced that the United States intends to double the number of annual participants in the Mandela Washington Fellowship to 1000 by the summer of 2016.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies President Obama’s commitment to invest in the future of Africa.

The first class of Mandela Washington Fellows arrived in June 2014 for six weeks of intensive executive leadership training, networking, and skills building, followed by a Presidential Summit in Washington, DC. Through this initiative, young African leaders are gaining the skills and connections they need to accelerate their own career trajectories and contribute more robustly to strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa.

The 2014 Class of the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

Selected from nearly 50,000 applications, the 500 Mandela Washington Fellows represent the extraordinary promise of an emerging generation of entrepreneurs, activists, and public officials.

Mandela Washington Fellows are between 25 and 35 years old; have proven track records of leadership in a public, private, or civic organization; and demonstrate a strong commitment to contributing their skills and talents to building and serving their communities.
The first class of Fellows represents all 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and includes equal numbers of men and women.
Despite their youth, more than 75 percent of Fellows already hold a mid-level or executive position, and 48 percent have a graduate degree.
Twenty-five percent of Fellows currently work in a non-governmental institution and 39 percent of them operate their own business.
Nearly all Fellows are the first in their families to visit the United States.

Download the Biography of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

Source: YALI

Application Deadline: January 27 2014

The Obama Administration’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. Nearly one in three Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35. President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.

The Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the new flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

Competition for the Washington Fellowship is merit-based and open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered;
Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S;
Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; and
Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, 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, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Individuals residing in the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Sudan, and Zimbabwe may not apply to the public management track. Residents of Sudan may only apply for the Civic Leadership track.

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
There is no fee to apply to the Washington Fellowship. If you are selected, the U.S. government will cover all participant costs.

Financial provisions provided by the U.S. Government will include:

J-1 visa support;
Round-trip travel from fellow’s home city to the U.S. and other required travel;
Customized academic and leadership institute;
Concluding Presidential Summit in Washington, DC;
Accident and sickness benefit plan;
Housing and meals; and
A potential eight-week internship at the conclusion of the academic and leadership institute (optional, and competitive for approximately 100 slots).

The Washington Fellowship includes:

A 6-week Academic and Leadership Institute: Fellows are placed at U.S. colleges and universities for academic institutes. Institutes will focus on skills development in one of three areas: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, or Public Management. Institutes will take place from mid-June to late July 2014.
A Summit with President Obama in Washington, DC: At the conclusion of the academic and leadership institute, all Fellows will participate in a Presidential Summit. The Summit will take place in late July 2014.
An optional 8-week U.S. Internship: As part of the Fellowship application, individuals may apply to receive practical training at a U.S. business, civil society organization, or public agency in the United States. Approximately 100 Washington Fellows will be selected for U.S.-based internships. The U.S. internships will take place in August and September 2014.
Activities in Africa: Fellows will have the opportunity for continued networking opportunities, ongoing professional development, access to seed funding, and community service activities upon their return home after the Fellowship.

WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE

January 27, 2014 Application deadline
February-March 2014 Semifinalists interviewed by local U.S. embassies and consulates
April 2014 Applicants are notified of their status
May 2014 Visa processing for finalists
Mid-June 2014 Fellowship starts in the United States

Apply Now for the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Young African Leaders Programme

Required Documents

2014 Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

2014 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders: Meet the Fellows.

The 2014 Class of the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

Apply Now: Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders 2014.