Apply Now for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Application Reader

The U.S. Department of State and IREX are currently in search of academic, professional, and regional experts to evaluate and assess applications for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Throughout the initial nine years of the Fellowship, there have been close to 434,000 applications from 49 sub-Saharan African countries for 7,200 Fellow positions. Your skills and knowledge in assisting with the evaluation of our large number of applications are highly valued!

Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Application Reader

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the primary program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). This Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic studies and leadership training, creating unique opportunities for Fellows and U.S. citizens to collaborate, promote economic growth and prosperity, reinforce democratic governance, and improve peace and security in Africa and the United States. In the summer of 2025, the Fellowship will bring a maximum of 700 young leaders to the United States for an extensive executive-style program aimed at developing skills and empowering Fellows to lead in their respective fields and communities.

Responsibilities and Reading Period – Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Application Reader

1. Readers will have the responsibility of assessing around 50 applications according to established criteria and a scoring rubric.
2. This opportunity serves as a valuable experience for professionals and individuals pursuing a degree, aiding in their professional development and resume enhancement.
3. Readers will be exposed to the challenges and potential solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as gaining insight into international and higher education processes.
4. Prospective candidates can submit their applications by filling out the Reader Application form before September 1, 2024.
5. The reading period is scheduled to commence in mid-September and conclude in early November 2024. Each application typically requires 5-10 minutes to review.
6. Selected Readers will be contacted in September 2024.

Eligibility – Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Application Reader

1. Ideal candidates for this role are academics and professionals specializing in one or more of the Fellowship’s thematic areas (business, civic engagement, or public management),
2. or those with experience in Africa or sub-Saharan African affairs. U.S. Government employees and Fellowship Alumni are eligible to apply.
3. However, individuals applying for the 2024 Fellowship are not eligible to serve as readers.

Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Application ReaderApplication – 

1. Apply Now to Be A Fellowship Reader
2. Questions? Please contact the Fellowship Team at [email protected] with any questions.