Call for Application Readers for the 2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship (Honorarium available)

<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Deadline: October 13, 2026</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">IREX is seeking <strong>academic, professional, and regional experts</strong> to serve as application readers for the <strong>2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders</strong>.</p> <h2>About the Mandela Washington Fellowship</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The <a href="https://us.list-manage.com/Dszk_lqveMH?e=9a594e8b4e&amp;c2id=c8821aace848ca029d39681c5c4b99bc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders</a> is the flagship exchange program of the <a href="https://us.list-manage.com/ikpPpe7_LgE?e=9a594e8b4e&amp;c2id=c8821aace848ca029d39681c5c4b99bc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)</a>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">In summer 2027, the Fellowship will bring <strong>up to 550 accomplished young African leaders to the United States</strong> for a comprehensive, executive-style program designed to strengthen leadership skills, build professional networks, and support collaboration between African and American counterparts.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Fellows participate in academic coursework, professional site visits, and structured networking activities. The program focuses on strengthening collaboration in areas including <strong>U.S.-Africa trade and economic prosperity, technological innovation, and peace and security</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the <strong>U.S. Department of State</strong>, funded by the U.S. Government and administered by <strong>IREX</strong>.</p> <h2>Call for Application Readers</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">IREX is looking for individuals who can review and score applications using established guidelines and a structured scoring rubric.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Over the past twelve years, application readers have helped assess nearly <strong>478,000 applications from 49 sub-Saharan African countries</strong> for approximately <strong>7,800 Fellowship places</strong>.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Serving as an application reader provides an opportunity to contribute to a <strong>fair and merit-based selection process</strong> while gaining insight into emerging priorities, challenges, and locally driven solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Readers may also gain valuable exposure to fellowship selection practices, promising African leaders, and key issues affecting the continent.</p> <h2>Who Can Apply?</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The opportunity is particularly suited to <strong>academics, professionals, and regional experts</strong> with expertise in one or more of the Fellowship&#8217;s thematic areas:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li><strong>Business and trade</strong></li> <li><strong>Emerging technologies</strong></li> <li><strong>Governance and security</strong></li> </ul> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Experience working in <strong>Africa or on sub-Saharan African issues</strong> is also relevant.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">While expertise in these areas is ideal, it is <strong>not a requirement</strong> to serve as a reader.</p> <h2>Reader Honorarium</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Eligible readers may opt to receive a <strong>one-time $100 honorarium</strong> for their service.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">However:</p> <ul data-spread="false"> <li>U.S. Government employees and contractors are <strong>not eligible</strong> to receive the honorarium.</li> <li>IREX cannot make international wire payments.</li> <li>Readers receiving the honorarium must have a <strong>U.S. bank account in their own name</strong> capable of receiving an ACH/direct deposit transfer.</li> <li>Eligible readers who choose to receive the honorarium must submit a completed <strong>W-9 form</strong> to IREX for tax purposes.</li> </ul> <h2>Application Deadline and Reading Period</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Interested individuals should complete the <a href="https://us.list-manage.com/13kzj0RpxlX?e=9a594e8b4e&amp;c2id=c8821aace848ca029d39681c5c4b99bc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2027 Reader Application</strong></a> by:</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>📅 October 13, 2026</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The application reading period is expected to begin in <strong>mid-October 2026</strong> and continue through <strong>mid-November 2026</strong>. Selected readers will be contacted by IREX in October.</p> <h3>How to Apply</h3> <p class="isSelectedEnd">To support the selection of the next cohort of Mandela Washington Fellows, complete the <a href="https://us.list-manage.com/a9hpGovV1_X?e=9a594e8b4e&amp;c2id=c8821aace848ca029d39681c5c4b99bc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reader Application</strong></a> before the October 13, 2026 deadline.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Please feel free to share this opportunity with qualified colleagues and professional networks.</p> <h2>Questions?</h2> <p class="isSelectedEnd">For questions about becoming an application reader, contact:</p> <p><a href="mailto:MWFReaders@irex.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MWFReaders@irex.org</strong></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Interested professionals are invited to complete the <a href="https://us.list-manage.com/a9hpGovV1_X?e=9a594e8b4e&amp;c2id=c8821aace848ca029d39681c5c4b99bc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reader Application</strong></a> by <strong>October 13, 2026</strong>.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/09/26/u-s-department-of-state-and-irex-seeking-readers-for-2025-yali-fellowship-applicationsearn-an-honorarium/">Call for Application Readers for the 2027 Mandela Washington Fellowship (Honorarium available)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>