USAID IREX Reciprocal Exchanges 2022

The U.S. Department of State and IREX are pleased to announce that applications for the Reciprocal Exchange component are being accepted through October 13, 2021.

The goal of the Reciprocal Exchange component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship is to provide opportunities for U.S. professionals and Fellowship Alumni to form lasting partnerships, expand markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding between the United States and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

About Mandela Washington Fellowships

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Since 2014, nearly 4,400 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Fellowship. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries. Each year, the Fellows participate in six-week Leadership Institutes, studying Business, Civic Engagement, or Public Management at U.S. colleges or u... read more

USAID IREX Reciprocal Exchanges

Aim and Benefits of USAID IREX Reciprocal Exchanges

• The Reciprocal Exchange component provides funds for U.S. citizens and Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni to implement virtual or hybrid-model collaborative projects.
• U.S. professionals may include those met during the Mandela Washington Fellowship through networking, the Leadership Institutes, the Summit, Professional Development Experiences, or other activities.
• Through these projects, U.S. professionals and young African leaders form lasting partnerships, expand markets and networks, and increase mutual understanding between the United States and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Requirements for USAID IREX Reciprocal Exchanges Qualification

U.S. professionals participating in the Reciprocal Exchange must be U.S. citizens currently living in the United States. U.S. professionals may not be employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy, USAID, or other U.S. Government entity).

Fellowship Alumni must be considered Alumni of the Fellowship by the U.S. Department of State.  They may not be employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government.  Fellowship Alumni must reside in the proposed project country and be present for the full duration of the project’s implementation.  Fellowship Alumni must also fill out the Fellowship Alumni contact information form if they have not done so in the last year.

Fellowship Alumni from all cohorts are eligible to apply.

IREX reserves the right to verify all information included in the application.  In the event of a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.  Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.  IREX reserves the right to offer partial funding to selected recipients.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Reciprocal Exchange Application Guidelines
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Required Application Documents
  • Reciprocal Exchange Application Form
    • Please note that both the U.S. professional and the AlumnI Collaborator must each submit an application form by the deadline for the application to be considered complete.
  • Work plan template and guidelines
  • Budget template and guidelines
  • Resume (must be submitted in English and no longer than two pages)

For more details, visit the website.