Students' leaders encouraged to apply for Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in USA, 2014

U.S. African Development Foundation and the U.S. State Department is funding training fellowship for the citizens of and residents in a sub-Saharan African country. Fellowship is awarded to participate in a 6-week leadership and mentoring program at a US institution.

Washington fellows will have valuable access to internships and job opportunities in the private and public sectors. Applicants have to return to Africa after the completion of training program. Applicants must have a spoken and written proficiency in English.

Study Subject(s): Leaders will attend US universities for training in one of three areas: public management and administration, business and entrepreneurship; and civic leadership.
Course Level: Fellowship is awarded to participate in a 6-week leadership and mentoring program at a US institution.
Scholarship Provider: U.S. African Development Foundation and The U.S. State Department
Scholarship can be taken at: USA

Eligibility:
-Citizens of and residents in a sub-Saharan African country.
-Persons holding U.S. citizenship or permanent residency are not eligible;
– Young leaders with spoken and written proficiency in English; and
-Youth between 25 and 35 years of age at the time of application submission, although exceptional leaders younger than 25 will be considered.

Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: Citizens of and residents in a sub-Saharan African countries (Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Democratic Republic), Côte 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, Réunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe) are eligible for this fellowship.

Scholarship Description: The Washington Fellowship is the new flagship program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). This program will bring over 500 young leaders to the United States each year, beginning in 2014, for leadership training 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. The Washington Fellowship will: Invest in a new generation of young African leaders who are shaping the continent’s future. Respond to the strong demand by young African leaders for practical skills that can help them take their work to the next level in the fields of public service and business. Deepen partnerships and connections between the United States and Africa. Build a prestigious network of young African leaders who are at the forefront of change and innovation in their respective sectors.

Number of award(s): This program will bring over 500 young leaders to the United States each year, beginning in 2014.

Duration of award(s): Fellows will spend six weeks at top American universities and colleges that will provide tailored training in the sectors above, leveraging top faculty, cutting-edge curricula, and local opportunities to impart practical professional and leadership training.

What does it cover? The Washington Fellowship will offer participants valuable access to internships and job opportunities in the private and public sectors. We are establishing partnerships with companies, government ministries, research institutions, regional organizations, and non-profit and community-based organizations across the region to provide meaningful career opportunities for these young 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.

Selection Criteria: Washington Fellows should have: -A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement;
-A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentor ship;
-The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others;
-Strong social and communication skills;
-Good academic performance, with preference given to applicants with some university education; -An energetic, positive attitude;
-An opportunity to benefit from a U.S.-funded program or exchange for the first time;
-A demonstrated knowledge, interest, and professional experience in the track selected; and
-A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country, community, or school after they return home.

Notification: Not Known

How to Apply: The mode of applying is online.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application for the 2014 Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders will not be available until early December 2013. However, in order to help potential applicants prepare, we are providing the following informational guidelines. The exact details of the final application are subject to change.

Note: The online application will be available in early December 2013.

Further Official Scholarship Information and Application