Call For Readers, Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Program 2024. he U.S. Department of State and IREX are seeking academic, professional, and regional experts to read and score applications for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Over the first nine years of the Fellowship, the program received nearly 330,000 applications from 49 sub-Saharan African countries for approximately 6,500 Fellow slots. Your talents and expertise in helping score our high volume of applications are greatly appreciated.
Readers will be responsible for evaluating program applications based on set guidelines and a scoring rubric. This is a great volunteer professional development and résumé-building opportunity for professionals or degree-seeking individuals.
The reading period will begin on September 14, 2023 , and will comprise up to three separate reading phases, each lasting
approximately two weeks, from mid-September through early November. Selected readers will be assigned to one of the reading phases to review approximately 40 applications. Each application takes about 10-15 minutes to read and score; the total time commitment is estimated at 10 hours.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a flagship program of the U.S. Department of State’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The fellowship is a six-week leadership development program that brings together 500 young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of young Africans who are committed to making a difference in their communities. Fellows participate in a rigorous academic curriculum that covers topics such as public policy, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. They also receive training in leadership, teamwork, and communication. In addition, fellows have the opportunity to network with other young leaders from across Africa and with U.S. government officials, business leaders, and academics.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a highly competitive program. To be eligible, applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 35, have a demonstrated record of leadership, and be committed to making a difference in their communities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is an incredible opportunity for young Africans who are committed to leadership and social change. If you are a young leader from sub-Saharan Africa, I encourage you to apply.
Benefits of the Mandela Washington Fellowship
There are many benefits to participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship. These include:
- The opportunity to learn from leading experts in the fields of public policy, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.
- The opportunity to network with other young leaders from across Africa and with U.S. government officials, business leaders, and academics.
- The opportunity to develop your leadership skills and gain practical experience in leading and managing projects.
- The opportunity to gain exposure to American culture and values.
- The opportunity to build relationships with American counterparts that can lead to future collaborations.
How to Apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship
To apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, you must:
- Be between the ages of 25 and 35.
- Be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country.
- Have a demonstrated record of leadership.
- Be committed to making a difference in your community.
- Complete an online application.
The application deadline is typically in November.
Requirements for MWF Seeking Readers Program Qualification
- Ideal readers are academics and/or professionals with expertise in one or more of the Fellowship’s thematic areas (business, civic engagement, or public management), or who have experience working in Africa or on sub-Saharan African issues.
- U.S. Government employees and Fellowship Alumni are eligible. Applicants for the 2024 Fellowship are not eligible to be readers.
- Application Form For 2023/2024
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/7158158/2024-Mandela-Washington-Fellowship-Reader-Application/ to apply.
For more information, please visit the Mandela Washington Fellowship website.
Conclusion
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is an incredible opportunity for young Africans who are committed to leadership and social change. If you are a young leader from sub-Saharan Africa, I encourage you to apply.