---
title: "Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders"
description: "A U.S. Department of State leadership fellowship for young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa: a six-week Institute at a U.S. college or university, plus a four-week placement for up to 70 Fellows. Applications open each year from mid-September to mid-October; 2027 dates are unpublished."
url: "https://worldwide-scholarships.com/scholarships/mandela-washington-fellowship-for-young-african-leaders/"
type: "website"
---

[All scholarships](https://worldwide-scholarships.com/scholarships/)

U.S. Department of State

# Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

A U.S. Department of State leadership fellowship for young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa: a six-week Institute at a U.S. college or university, plus a four-week placement for up to 70 Fellows. Applications open each year from mid-September to mid-October; 2027 dates are unpublished.

Checked 20 Sept 2026

[See the official page](https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/mandela-washington-fellowship-young-african-leaders)

- **Deadline:** Deadline not announced
- **Study in:** United States
- **Level:** Short course

**Why there is no date here.** The U.S. Department of State page states: 'Each year the Mandela Washington Fellowship application opens from mid-September to mid-October.' As of 20 September 2026 the Fellowship's own homepage, mandelawashingtonfellowship.org, does not state an opening or closing date for the 2027 round, so no deadline is given here. A social media post reported elsewhere that applications open on 22 September, but that could not be confirmed on an official page and is not relied on. Check the Fellowship site and the eligible-country list for your own country before the window closes.

What you get

The U.S. Department of State and Fellowship pages checked do not itemise what the Fellowship pays, so no allowance or coverage figure is stated here. Applicants must be eligible for a U.S. J-1 visa. Read the application instructions when the portal opens for the exact package before relying on any figure quoted elsewhere.

## Who can apply

-   Aged 25 to 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants aged 21 to 24 will be considered
-   Not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and eligible to receive a U.S. J-1 visa
-   Not an employee, or immediate family member of an employee, of the U.S. Government, including a U.S. embassy, consulate or USAID
-   Proficient in reading, writing and speaking English
-   A citizen and resident of one of the eligible countries on the State Department's list
-   Not an alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship

### A leadership institute, not a degree

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship programme of the Young African Leaders Initiative. According to the State Department, each year it gives up to 700 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa the chance to build their skills at a U.S. higher education institution, with support for professional development after they return home. This is a short programme, not a degree: six weeks at a U.S. college or university, followed by a four-week Professional Development Experience with a U.S. business, civil society organisation or public agency for up to 70 Fellows.

The State Department page lists three Institute tracks, Business, Civic Engagement and Public Management. Tracks can change between rounds, so check the application portal for the current list when it opens.

### Who can apply

Public applications are accepted. You need to be between 25 and 35 by the application deadline, though exceptional applicants aged 21 to 24 are considered. You must be a citizen and resident of one of the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries, eligible for a J-1 visa, proficient in English, and not a Fellowship alumnus. Employees of the U.S. Government, and their immediate family members, are excluded, including embassy, consulate and USAID staff.

### When it opens

The State Department says the application opens each year from mid-September to mid-October. The Fellowship’s own site had not published the 2027 dates when this entry was checked, so treat the window as a pattern, not a confirmed date. Because the window is short, look at the official site as soon as it changes.

### What the official pages do not say

Neither the State Department page nor the Fellowship’s homepage and FAQ set out what the Fellowship pays. Do not assume a stipend or a specific list of covered costs. The exact package is set out in the application instructions and the terms you accept if selected, which is where to confirm travel, accommodation, insurance and anything for dependants before you rely on it.

Where this comes from

Every fact above was read on **exchanges.state.gov**, the awarding body's own website, and last confirmed on **20 September 2026**. Nothing here is taken from another directory. Funding bodies change deadlines and eligibility rules without notice, and we are not affiliated with U.S. Department of State. Always confirm on the official site before you apply.

Reviewed by the [Worldwide Scholarships editorial team](https://worldwide-scholarships.com/about/)

[Apply on the official site](https://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/mandela-washington-fellowship-young-african-leaders)

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