NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship, 2024-2025

Applications are open for the 2024-2025 NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship program. Named in honor of NED’s principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell (D-Fl.), the NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship is a federally funded, international exchange program. It offers democracy activists, journalists, civil society leaders, and scholars from around the world the opportunity to spend five months in residence at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in Washington, D.C. During their stay, fellows will undertake independent research on democracy in a particular country or region.

Prospective applicants may apply on either the practitioner or scholarly track. The Reagan-Fascell program is intended primarily for practitioners from developing and aspiring democracies, and those from non-democratic countries. Applicants applying to the practitioner track are expected to have substantial practical experience working to promote democracy or human rights in their country of origin or interest. There are no specific degree requirements for the practitioner track. While there are also no age limits, applicants on the practitioner track are typically mid-career professionals with several years of work experience in the field of democracy and human rights.

Prospective applicants may apply on either the practitioner or scholarly track. While the program is intended primarily for practitioners from around the world, distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Applicants applying to the scholarly track are expected to possess a doctorate (a Ph.D., or academic equivalent) at the time of application, to have published in their field of expertise, and to have developed a detailed research outline for their fellowship project. Located within NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, the program provides a collegial environment and rich intellectual setting for educational exchange and professional development.

Program Details

• Host Institution: National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in Washington, D.C., United States of America.
• Area: Research on democracy in a particular country or region.
• Number of awards: Not specified.
• Duration: 5 months (October 1-February 28 or March 1-July 31).
• Target group: Open to democracy activists, journalists, civil society leaders, and scholars from around the world.

NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship Benefits

Each fellow receives a monthly stipend for living expenses, plus basic health insurance and round-trip travel to and from Washington, D.C., at the beginning and end of the fellowship period. Fellowship payments are calculated to cover the cost of a short-term, furnished rental apartment, plus “cost of living” for food, local transportation, and other necessities.

Fellows are provided with a fully equipped office, plus a limited budget for long-distance phone calls and professional travel within the United States. Please note that fellows who wish to bring family members with them to Washington, D.C., will be expected to cover the costs of their dependents’ round-trip travel and stay within the United States.

NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship Eligibility

All applicants for the Fellowship should:

• Demonstrate proficiency in the English language
• Propose a project focusing on the political, social, economic, legal or cultural aspects of democratic development
• Be available to work in residence at the International Forum for Democratic Studies in Washington, D.C. during the 5-month fellowship period (October 1-February 28 or March 1-July 31). No other fellowships or jobs may be held at this time.

Applicants on the practitioner track should:

• Have substantial practical experience working to promote democracy or human rights in their country of origin or interest
• Be mid-career professionals

Applicants on the scholarly track should:

• Possess a doctorate (a PhD, or academic equivalent) at the time of application
• Have a proven record of publications in their field
• Have developed a detailed research outline for their fellowship project

Similar opportunities

1. Heinrich Böll Foundation scholarships in Germany;
2. Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University
3. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship for International Students.

How to Apply for the NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship

Please submit your application for this North America opportunity using the apply button and filling out the form. Please click HERE for detailed instructions on how to create an account. All application materials should be in English. Once you have set up an account, the application process requires you to submit:

1. Applicant information;
2. Project proposal for the practitioner or the scholarly fellowship track;
3. Letters of recommendation: must be submitted at latest on November 7, 2023
4. Resume/CV and Biography.

The deadline to submit applications is October 31, 2023. For more info on the NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship, please visit the official page. To be the first to see latest opportunities, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.