Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program 2027-2028 (Fully-funded)

Overview

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program is a federally funded, international exchange initiative that offers a five-month residential fellowship at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, D.C. Located within the International Forum for Democratic Studies, the program gives democracy activists, journalists, civil society leaders, and scholars from around the world the opportunity to undertake independent research on democracy in a specific country or region. Participants engage with counterparts, conduct writing and research, consider best practices, and develop professional relationships within a global network of democracy advocates. Fellows are expected to complete a written or audiovisual product and give a formal presentation at the conclusion of the program.

Who can apply

Applicants can apply to either a practitioner track or a scholarly track. The practitioner track is intended primarily for individuals from developing, aspiring, and non-democratic countries who are mid-career professionals with substantial practical experience in promoting democracy or human rights. Eligible practitioner candidates include human rights advocates, civil society leaders, political party figures, human rights lawyers, parliamentarians, labor union activists, and journalists. The scholarly track is intended for distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies, such as university professors, research center analysts, writers, and public intellectuals, who possess a doctorate or academic equivalent at the time of application and have published in their field of expertise. All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency, propose a project focusing on democratic development, and be available to work in residence in Washington, D.C., without holding any other jobs or fellowships.

What you get

Fellows receive a monthly living expenses stipend calculated to cover a short-term furnished rental apartment and necessities such as food and local transportation. The program also provides basic health insurance, roundtrip travel to and from Washington, D.C., a fully equipped office, and a limited budget for long-distance phone calls and professional travel within the United States. Participants gain access to research associates who provide editorial, research, and project support, as well as the Democracy Resource Center library collection. Non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents are assisted with obtaining a J-1 exchange visitor visa.

Requirements

Practitioner track applicants must have substantial practical experience and background as mid-career professionals working in democracy or human rights. Scholarly track applicants must hold a Ph.D. or academic equivalent, have a proven publication record in their field, and have developed a detailed research outline for their project. All participants must work exclusively in residence during the five-month fellowship period and comply with J-1 visa regulations, which include a requirement for certain visa holders to return to their home country for two years after completing the fellowship.

Key dates

The application deadline is January 5, 2027.