Applications are open for the Reciprocal Exchange Programme.

This is a unique element of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program under the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

The Reciprocal Exchange gives U.S. citizens who have engaged with the Fellowship an opportunity to deepen those professional and strategic relationships. With financial support, these professionals can travel to African countries or work virtually alongside Fellowship Alumni, co-creating projects that benefit local communities while sustaining cross-border partnerships.

The purpose of the Reciprocal Exchange is to encourage lasting collaboration between U.S. professionals and Alumni, while also expanding economic and professional networks between Africa and the United States. Each grant is structured to provide the resources necessary to bring impactful, short-term projects to life. Projects may run in person or through hybrid formats, with funding capped at $3,000 for hybrid projects and up to $5,000 for in-person collaborations per U.S. professional involved, with a maximum of four professionals per project team. This means projects involving several participants can receive as much as $20,000 in total. These initiatives must be designed to have tangible benefits for people in the project country, and each project should be completed within four weeks.

Through these exchanges, both U.S. professionals and African Alumni gain more than just funding; they also expand their knowledge, refine their skills, and open doors to new markets and professional opportunities. At the same time, the exchange is expected to generate value for U.S. organizations and communities back home, as participating professionals are encouraged to share the lessons and expertise they acquire abroad. By doing so, the exchange promotes mutual growth and helps ensure that knowledge flows in both directions.

The award funds are distributed in installments, with the requirement that certain deliverables be met before each disbursement. For hybrid projects, Alumni may be the ones to directly receive funds in their local bank accounts, while for in-person projects with multiple participants, the group must appoint one individual to serve as the designated fund recipient. In addition, visa costs for U.S. travelers are covered, with IREX handling procurement through a preferred vendor, except in cases where specific country rules, such as in Nigeria, require alternative arrangements.

Eligibility for the Reciprocal Exchange is limited to U.S. professionals who are citizens currently residing in the United States and who are not employed by the U.S. Government or related entities, nor closely related to such employees. Alumni collaborators must also be in good standing with the Department of State and must live in the project country for the duration of the project. Each U.S. professional can take part in no more than two in-person Reciprocal Exchanges. However, applicants who have already completed two in-person projects may still participate in a hybrid project. Those who have done a mix of hybrid and in-person, or two hybrid exchanges, remain eligible to apply for both models in the future.

Applications are judged on how well they demonstrate real impact in the Alumni’s home country or community, as well as on the benefits for U.S. organizations and networks. Reviewers also look for evidence that both the U.S. professional and the African Alum worked together closely in designing the project. Strong applications are expected to have clear goals, a practical plan for implementation, and a vision for sustainability beyond the grant period. Proposals that highlight American innovation, show evidence of prior collaboration between the applicants, or build upon existing projects are often favored. Reviewers also give weight to projects that leverage Alumni networks, demonstrate cultural as well as professional exchange, include budget cost-sharing, or bring relevant expertise to the proposed activities.

In essence, the Reciprocal Exchange provides a powerful platform for continued partnership between African changemakers and U.S. professionals, strengthening ties between communities, expanding opportunities on both continents, and promoting innovation, leadership, and mutual understanding.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity