Application Deadline: January 5, 2027
Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program. Named in honor of NED’s principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell (D-Fl.), the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program is a federally funded, international exchange program that 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., in order to undertake independent research on democracy in a particular country or region.
The program offers five-month fellowships for practitioners to improve strategies and techniques for building democracy abroad and five-month fellowships for scholars to conduct original research for publication. While in residence, fellows reflect on their experiences; engage with counterparts; conduct research and writing; consider best practices and lessons learned; and develop professional relationships within a global network of democracy advocates. Fellows are expected to complete a written or audiovisual product relating to their proposed research project. The fellowship culminates in a formal presentation in which fellows typically focus on their research project or another topic relating to the state of democracy in their country.
The program serves as NED’s “Democracy Accelerator,” an initiative that brings together a focused group of fellows—key civic leaders, tech innovators, practitioners, and scholars focused on defining challenges to democracy—to incubate new ideas and initiatives on the cutting edge of the global fight for freedom.
Eligibility Requirements
Under the Democracy Accelerator framework, a select number of fellows are chosen based on their track record working to build democracy and their potential to advance democratic learning at a strategic and practical level. By bringing together a carefully curated cohort, we create an optimal environment for in-depth collaboration and innovation that reverberates across the NED family. This approach entails investing in fewer, higher-potential individuals and working toward fellowship outcomes that are suited to a new environment.
All applicants 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. 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 Ph.D., 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
Please note: Former Reagan-Fascell fellows are not eligible for repeat fellowships.
Financial Support:
- Each fellow receives a monthly stipend for living expenses, plus basic health insurance and roundtrip travel to and from Washington, D.C., at the beginning and end of the fellowship period.
- Fellowship payments are calculated to cover 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’ roundtrip travel and stay within the United States.
Research Support:
- Program staff work with several fellows to provide critical support in a variety of ways: consulting with fellows on the shape and direction of their projects, providing research, written, and editorial support on issues relating to the theory and practice of democracy, facilitating outreach, aiding in the preparation and follow-up of fellows’ public presentations, and providing other assistance as necessary.
How to Apply
In order to apply for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship you must first create an account through the online portal. For detailed instructions on how to create an account, 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
4. Resume/CV and Biography
Please submit all application materials in English.
Application Timeline:
- The application deadline for the 2027-2028 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program is January 5, 2027, with letters of recommendation due by no later than January 12, 2027.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program
