This Fellowship
is President Obama Initiative which brought over 500 young leaders to United States beginning in 2014 for Leadership Training, Academic
Coursework and Mentoring and
will create unique opportunities in Africa to put those new skills to practical
use in propelling economic growth and prosperity and strengthening democratic
institutions.
What are the Benefits?
Leaders
will have the opportunity of being trained for six weeks at top American
Universities and Colleges on
three major focus areas:
Business and Entrepreneurship: designed for aspiring
entrepreneurs who hope to take on leadership roles within the private sector or
start their own business ventures on the continent.
Civic Leadership: oriented to young Africans who
are civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental
organizations, and/or volunteer or community-based organizations.
Public Management: tailored to young Africans who
work or aspire to work in all levels of government, regional organizations such
as the African Union, international bodies such as the United Nations, or other
publicly-minded entities or think tanks.
Besides,
the Fellows will have the chance to interact with the President during an
annual Summit in Washington, D.C., along with other senior U.S. government,
business, and civic leaders. Washington Fellows will have access to dedicated
funding opportunities to support their ideas, businesses, and organizations. Over $5 million in small grants will be
awarded in the first three years by the U.S.
African Development Foundation to Washington Fellows seeking to start their
own businesses or social enterprises. The U.S. State Department will invest an additional $5 million over the course
of the program to help alumni establish or grow non-governmental organizations,
undertake a project to improve their community, or work collaboratively to
build the network of young African leaders, including reaching into underserved
areas. USAID Regional Coordinators will connect Washington Fellows to these
opportunities and leverage over $200
million in ongoing youth programs and initiatives on the continent.
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE
FELLOWSHIP
There is
no fee to apply to the Washington
Fellowship. If you are selected, the
U.S. government will cover all participant
costs.
Financial
provisions provided by the U.S. Government will include:
J-1
visa support;
Round-trip
travel from fellow’s home city to the U.S. and other required travel;
Customized
academic and leadership institute;
Concluding
Presidential Summit in Washington, DC;
Accident
and sickness benefit plan;
Housing
and meals; and
A
potential eight-week internship at the conclusion of the academic and
leadership institute (optional, and competitive for approximately 100 slots).
TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS
All
qualified applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color,
gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or
gender identity. Competition for the Washington Fellowship is merit-based and
open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:
- Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional
- Applicants younger than 25 will be considered;
- Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S;
- Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
- Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English; and
- Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries:
Angola,
Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African
Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire,
Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria,
Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia,
South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia,
and Zimbabwe.
Individuals
residing in the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea,
Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Sudan, and Zimbabwe may not apply to the public
management track. Residents of Sudan may
only apply for the Civic Leadership track.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12:00 MIDNIGHT IN WASHINGTON, DC, MONDAY JANUARY 27,