The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Programme offers a five-month, in-residence fellowship at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, D.C. The programme supports democracy activists, civil society leaders, journalists and scholars from around the world.
Fellows undertake independent research, collaborative projects, and professional development activities designed to strengthen democratic practices in their home countries.
Overview
The fellowship explores political, social, economic, legal and cultural dimensions of democratic development.
Participants benefit from access to NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, including an intellectually rich and collegial environment where they can conduct research, reflect on real-world experiences and craft actionable strategies to advance democracy, human rights and good governance globally.
Participants produce written or audiovisual outputs and publicly present their findings. Their work contributes to NED’s Democracy Accelerator initiative, which nurtures innovative ideas and cross-border learning.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
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Demonstrate proficiency in English.
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Propose a project focused on democratic development.
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Be available for full-time, in-residence participation in Washington, D.C., for five months.
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Not hold any other concurrent job or fellowship.
Practitioner track applicants should also:
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Have substantial experience advancing democracy or human rights
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Be mid-career professionals
Scholarly track applicants should also:
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Hold a Ph.D. or equivalent qualification
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Have a strong publication record
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Submit a detailed research outline
How to apply
Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal detailing their project, professional background and how their work will contribute to democratic development. Letters of recommendation are required.
Only one application per candidate is accepted, and former fellows are not eligible to reapply.
Expected outcomes
Fellows are expected to conduct research, generate practical insights, and share findings within NED’s global network. The programme aims to support projects that strengthen democratic strategies, offer policy-relevant recommendations, and foster transnational collaboration among civic leaders, scholars and practitioners.
Deadline
Visit the NED website to apply before December 31.
Discover more international fellowships on our Opportunities page.
Summary not available at this time.
