Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025-2026 for Young Africans: (Deadline 21 April, 2025)

Applications are open for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025-2026. The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing leadership journey. The scholarship combines financial support with a leadership programme that will challenge you, grow you, and connect you to young African changemakers – just like you.

The programme is built on the founding principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and a belief that leadership begins with inner transformation. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation aims to keep Nelson Mandela’s legacy alive by equipping young African leaders with the competence and courage to transform the continent into a place where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive. Their programme is delivered primarily through a series of week-long residential workshops which you will attend during your time in residence.

Scholarship

• Tuition and registration fees as set by your university or institution
• A study materials allowance as set by the MRF
• Accommodation and meal allowances as set by the MRF
• A medical aid allowance as set by the MRF
• A personal allowance as set by the MRF
• Research and conferencing grants can be made available on request
• Economy-class flights for international scholars from their home countries to their institutions at the start and end of their studies

Eligibility

• You can study at a postgraduate level in English;
• You are citizen of an African country;
• You are between the ages of 19 and 29;
• You will have an undergraduate degree with excellent results (above 70% or upper-second class Honours) by January 1, 2026
• You aspire to be an ethical leader and are committed to using your talents to advance equality, freedom and human dignity in Africa;
• You admire Nelson Mandela’s ability to bridge divides and bring people together around our common humanity;
• You are prepared to reflect deeply on your own leadership and undergo a process of personal change and growth.

Selection Criteria

They look for young leaders who aspire to the principles below and who have demonstrated the potential to live them out.

• Leadership: Do you aspire to be a visionary leader who has moral authority? Do you see leadership as more than just personal ambition – as a way to pursue the advancement of equality and freedom, human rights and human dignity? And do you want to guide and inspire others to reach their full potential?
• Reconciliation: Do you believe that reconciliation – combined with reparation – is the key to harnessing an imperfect past to develop a more just world? And are you prepared to start the process by looking at your own internal landscape?
• Education: Do you have excellent academic results but believe that your education should not only benefit you but make a difference for others? And do you agree that intellectual excellence must be accompanied by character and a rounded personality?
• Entrepreneurship: Do you want to see Africa take its rightful place as an equal and competitive presence in the global world? Have you demonstrated individual effort, innovation and creativity to this end?

Deadline: 21 April, 2025

Application

The deadline is 21 April 2025, by which time all application documentation needs to have been uploaded. Your recommenders (referees) must have uploaded their references by then in order for your application to be complete.

Click here to apply

For more information, visit Mandela Rhodes Scholarship.