The practical answers, in one place.

The conference is scheduled for 15-17 March 2027 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The venue will be announced on this website by mid-November 2026.

YMAU VI is intended for delegates aged 16-25: high school students, university students, and recent graduates and young professionals interested in diplomacy or African affairs. Delegates under 18 register with an advisor or chaperone over the age of 21.

Yes. You do not have to be African or have prior Model AU experience to belong at YMAU; what matters most is a genuine interest in African affairs, a willingness to learn, and the leadership to bring a fresh perspective to the table. First-time delegates and returning veterans are equally welcome.

Registration is open across three windows, and delegates are encouraged to register early to secure the lowest rate. All prices are listed in US dollars.

Early bird

Opens 5 October 2026, 9:00 AM EATcloses 15 November 2026

$60

Regular

Closes 10 January 2027

$80

Late

Closes 1 February 2027

$100

See the full fee schedule on the registration page

Your registration covers the full YMAU VI experience:

1. 01

   Placement in one of our eleven committees*, with five or more session installments over the conference

2. 02

   Lunch provided all three days

3. 03

   Speaker sessions featuring senior diplomats, C-suite executives, founders, and prominent African leaders

4. 04

   Access to the Networking Exhibition, featuring 20+ partner companies, institutions, and NGOs

5. 05

   A leadership development workshop led by representatives from leading African businesses

6. 06

   Admission to the Africa Night Soirée

* YMAU may adjust the number of committees based on demand for committees and delegate count.

Registration fees are processed securely through Stripe, which accepts major credit and debit cards. Stripe does not support splitting a single registration payment into installments; the fee is paid in full at the time of registration.

Pay with a Visa or Mastercard that is enabled for international online payments. Some domestic cards cannot be used internationally; if yours is declined, ask your bank to enable international e-commerce, or try another card. Still stuck? Write to programs@yalemodelau.org and we will arrange another way to pay.

No difference in fee: delegates pay per delegate, as a group bundle during checkout. A delegation of 10 registering during regular registration, for example, pays $800 USD at checkout.

Registration fees are non-refundable. If your plans change, please reach out to programs@yalemodelau.org as early as possible so our team can advise on your options.

No: committee placement happens later. Registered delegates will receive a separate committee preference form in early 2027, and placements will be based on those responses.

YMAU does not provide one-on-one visa application support or purchase visas on delegates' behalf. We encourage all delegates seeking visa information to consult Ethiopia's official immigration website, at ics.gov.et. Delegates can request an official invitation letter for visa purposes starting 5 October 2026, when registration opens, from inside the registration portal. Additional guidance from our team will be posted to the travel guide in the coming months.

Read the travel and visa guide

Yes. Advisors and chaperones are welcome, and are required for any individual delegate under 18 (proof of age documentation is needed). There is no registration fee for advisors; however, they are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation, and financial aid does not extend to advisors accompanying delegates who are on aid.

Reach out to tech@yalemodelau.org and our team will help troubleshoot.

Financial aid is offered in three tiers, applied for together as a single package rather than selected individually:

1. 01

   Fee waiver: covers the registration fee only

2. 02

   Accommodation bundle: fee waiver plus room, breakfast, airport transfer, and ground transportation to and from the conference venue

3. 03

   Full financial aid package: accommodation bundle plus a flight and visa stipend

Read the financial aid deadlines and packages

Financial aid is only open to applicants based in Africa.

Three things:

1. 01

   A letter of recommendation

2. 02

   Your most recent academic transcript

3. 03

   Responses to short-answer application questions

Applications open 5 October 2026, alongside early bird registration, and are reviewed in two windows:

1. 01

   Priority review: due 15 November 2026. This is the only window eligible for full financial aid packages, including flight and visa support.

2. 02

   Regular review: due 31 December 2026. Applications in this window are considered for accommodation bundles and fee waivers only.

Aid is awarded through a competitive review process based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. Submitting an application does not guarantee an award.

No: all financial aid decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

YMAU pays directly on behalf of awardees, for example booking flights and accommodation, rather than reimbursing delegates for expenses paid out of pocket.

Roughly 80% of YMAU delegates receive some form of financial aid package.