ELIGIBILITY:

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.

In order to apply for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship, you must first create an account through our online portal. For detailed instructions on how to create an account, click here. Once you have set up an account, the application process requires you to submit:

Applicant information:

Project proposal for the practitioner or the scholarly fellowship track

Letters of recommendation

Resume/CV and Biography

Please submit all application materials in English.

Program Activities: Through seminars, roundtables, field trips, and other events, the program seeks to: (a) build knowledge about the work of the Endowment and its core institutes; (b) provide education concerning democracy through field trips and seminars; (c) support outreach for dialogue and interaction with the governmental, nongovernmental, academic, and media communities around town and beyond; and (d) promote a sense of collegiality among fellows as a group. In addition, fellows benefit from the many informal social and cultural activities that the program has to offer, including trips to sporting events, museums, movies, and happy hours.

Visas: Prior to their arrival in the United States, prospective fellows who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States must obtain a J-1 exchange visitor visa in order to travel to the United States. Accompanying family members must obtain a J-2 visa.

Fellowship applicants cannot have participated in a J-1 research scholar program within the 24 months immediately preceding their Reagan-Fascell fellowship. Fellows who are sponsored on our J-1 visa are typically required by U.S. law to return to their home country for two years following the completion of their fellowship before they may apply for an H visa, an L visa, or for legal permanent residence.

BENEFIT:

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.