Sudanese and South Sudanese Youth Leaders Program

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) launched its Sudanese & South Sudanese Youth Leaders program in 2013. The program brings Sudanese and South Sudanese peace builders between ages 18 and 35 to Washington, DC to be in residence at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) for four months. The goal of the project is to support youth to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to further their peace building work and position themselves as stronger peace building agents in their communities. USIP will bring one Sudanese and one South Sudanese leader in the spring of 2016 and another two leaders in the fall of 2016.

Previous youth leaders have done projects related to religious peace building, the role of women in conflict and peace, and analyses of the roots of local conflict. Youth leaders spend the majority of their fellowships doing individual research, attending meetings with USIP staff, and participating in events in the D.C. area.

The application for the 2016 youth leaders program is now open. Please read the application instructions before starting your application.

USIP will consider both internet-based and Word-based application submissions, but prefers internet-based applications when possible. The internet-based version of the application can be found here and the Word version of the application can be accessed here. Please only submit one application.

For program and eligibility requirements, please refer to the application instructions.

Application and Program Timeline

December 4, 2015 - Application opens
January 1, 2016 - Application deadline; no submissions will be accepted after 12:00 noon EST
January 15, 2016 - Semi-finalists notified via email by 17:00 (5:00pm) EST
January 18 - 25, 2016 - Semi-finalists interviewed by phone
January 29, 2016 - Finalists notified
April 1, 2016 - Spring cohort of youth leaders arrive in Washington, D.C.
July 1, 2016 - Fall cohort of youth leaders arrive in Washington, D.C.
August 8, 2016 - Spring cohort of youth leaders return home
November 10, 2016 - Fall cohort of youth leaders return home

Meet the Most Recent Youth Leaders

Silvio William Deng, South Sudan
Project: Root Causes of Ethnic Conflict in Upper Nile State

Ikhlas Mohammed, Sudan
Project: Women’s Role in Conflict Resolution in Darfur

Arif Omer, Sudan
Project: The Peace Lens Project (Media and Conflict in Sudan)

Othow Okoti Onger, South Sudan
Project: The Role of the Church in Peace building in Jonglei State

Akili Dada Gap Year Intern

Applications for the 2016 Gap Year Intake Now Open 

Complete applications must be sent via e-mail to apply@akilidada.org.

About Akili Dada

Akili Dada is an international award-winning leadership incubator nurturing a generation of young African women from underprivileged backgrounds whose commitment to the underserved will transform their communities.  Our leadership development curriculum creates the foundation on which young women ages 13-35 build their skills and earn the essential qualifications they need to access key decision-making roles and leadership positions.  By selecting from and building the capacity of some of Africa’s most innovative young women change makers, we are meeting the urgent need for both more African women in leadership as well as the overall need for transformative leadership across the continent. For more information visit our website

About the Gap Year Program

Akili Dada Gap Year recruits high school graduates to take part in a 9 month program that targets girls aged 17-20. The program is an opportunity for these girls to learn essential skills that would prepare them for the transition to university and beyond. Through intensive skills development training, internship placement and community service engagement, the Gap Year provides a space for these girls to build their capacity as young women leaders. First priority will be given to girls from the following Akili Dada partner schools: The Kenya High School, Precious Blood Girls High School Riruta, Mary Hill Girls High School and Loreto Limuru Girls High School.

Program cost per student is 7,000 Kenya Shillings per month.

If you identify yourself as a self-determined student interested in making most of your gap year , complete and submit the application http://www.akilidada.org/blog/2015/11/9/apply-to-be-a-2016-akili-dada-gap-year-intern?utm_content=buffer43bfa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted.