Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 (Fully Funded Fellowship in USA)

The Mandela Washington Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded fellowship run by the U.S. Department of State through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and administered by IREX. It hosts about 550 young leaders at U.S. colleges and universities for a six-week Leadership Institute in summer 2027.

It is open to citizens and residents of eligible Sub-Saharan African countries, aged 25 to 35, who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Fellows choose Business and Trade, Emerging Technologies, or Governance and Security. There is no application fee. The deadline is 13 October 2026. Read the sections below for eligibility, tracks and how to apply.

• Fully funded six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university in summer 2027
• Approximately 550 young leaders selected for the 2027 Fellowship
• Some Fellows continue with a Professional Development Experience of up to six weeks
• No application fee

This is a non-degree fellowship. It includes a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university, with an optional Professional Development Experience of up to six weeks for some Fellows.

Applicants select one of three tracks:

• Business and Trade
• Emerging Technologies
• Governance and Security

Open to citizens and residents of eligible Sub-Saharan African countries. Applicants must not be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

• Aged 25 to 35 at the time of application
• Citizen and resident of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country
• Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Record of promoting positive change
• Documents required: No specific documents are listed in the official source. The application requires selecting one of three tracks: Business and Trade, Emerging Technologies, or Governance and Security.
• English / language requirement: No English or language test score is mentioned in the official source.

1. Review the eligibility criteria and the three tracks: Business and Trade, Emerging Technologies, or Governance and Security.
2. Complete the online application during the application window.
3. Submit your application before the deadline: 16:00 GMT on October 13, 2026.
4. There is no fee to apply.