Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Component 2026

Deadline: Sep 19, 2025

other

fully funded

Africa

To Apply

Please visit the application link below to apply.

Opportunity Overview

The Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Component 2026 is now accepting applications. This program is part of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and aims to foster collaboration between U.S. professionals and Fellowship Alumni from Sub-Saharan Africa.

📝 About the Program

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship exchange program of the U.S. Government’s YALI initiative. Established in 2014, the Fellowship supports young African leaders in developing their leadership skills and building connections with U.S. professionals.

The Reciprocal Exchange Component allows U.S. professionals to:

Build upon strategic partnerships developed during the Fellowship.
Implement in-person or hybrid projects in Sub-Saharan African countries.
Collaborate with Fellowship Alumni to continue impactful work.

The program is funded by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX.

📅 Key Dates

Date Published: August 27, 2025
Application Deadline: September 19, 2025

🌟 Benefits

Participants in the Reciprocal Exchange Component can receive funding for their projects:

Maximum Hybrid Grant Award: $3,000 per project
Maximum In-Person Grant Award: $5,000 per selected participant (up to four U.S. participants)

✅ Eligibility Criteria

For U.S. Professionals:

Must be U.S. citizens currently residing in the United States.
Cannot be employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government.
May complete no more than two in-person Reciprocal Exchange projects.

For Fellowship Alumni:

Must be in good standing with the U.S. Department of State.
Cannot be employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government.
Must reside in the proposed project country and be present for the full duration of the project.

📋 Application Process

To apply, candidates must submit the following:

1. Completed Application Form

Both the U.S. professional and Fellowship Alumni must collaborate to complete the form.
All responses must be in English.
Include full legal names (as in international passports) and complete contact information.
Essay responses should not exceed 300 words per question.
Generative AI tools are discouraged; applicants should ensure the content reflects their unique experiences and plans.

2. Completed Work Plan

Use the provided template and follow the guidelines outlined in the template’s Guidelines tab.
Download the Work Plan Template

3. Completed Budget Form

All costs should be in U.S. dollars.
Budgets must reflect the total estimated costs, including in-kind and/or cost-share contributions.
Download the Budget Template

4. Professional Resumes

Resumes for all candidates must be submitted in English and should not exceed two pages.

⚠️ Important Notes

Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
Fellowship Alumni and U.S. professionals must collaborate on all application materials, including the work plan and budget.
For projects involving multiple participants, the primary U.S. professional and primary Fellowship Alumni should complete the application together.
Do not leave any sections blank. If a question does not apply, write N/A.

📌 Application Deadline

September 19, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

This is a fantastic opportunity to foster collaboration and make a meaningful impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. Don't miss the chance to apply!

Benefits

Maximum Hybrid Grant Award: $3,000 per project
Maximum In-Person Grant Award: $5,000 per selected Participant (up to four U.S. Participants)

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