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. Located within NED’s INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR DEMOCRATIC STUDIES, a leading center for analysis of global democratic developments, the program provides a collegial environment and rich intellectual setting for educational exchange and professional development.
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 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.
While in Washington, D.C., fellows work on a project related to the prospects for democracy in a particular country or region. Projects may focus on the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural aspects of democratic development and may include a range of methodologies and approaches. Projects should reflect the interests and expertise of the applicant and are not expected to include a study of, or comparison with, democracy in the United States.
Program staff consult with fellows on the theme and scope of their project, as well as their final product. Fellows must complete a written product (article, report, manual, book manuscript, etc.), in English or any other language, related to their research project.
Location:
United StatesBenefits
- 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.
- Research support: Fellows are provided with a fully equipped office, plus a limited budget for long-distance phone calls and professional travel within the United States.
- Research associates: Research associates are assigned to work with several fellows and provide critical support in a variety of ways.
- Democracy Resource Center: Fellows have access to the Democracy Resource Center (DRC), which contains approximately 20,000 works on democracy.
- Visas: 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.
In addition to these benefits, fellows also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of program activities, such as seminars, roundtables, field trips, and social and cultural events. These activities provide fellows with the opportunity to learn about the work of the Endowment and its core institutes, to educate others about democracy, to interact with the governmental, nongovernmental, academic, and media communities in Washington, D.C., and to build a sense of collegiality with other fellows.
Eligibilities
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 (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 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
Application Process
In order to apply for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship you must first create an account through OUR ONLINE PORTAL 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.
Application Deadline: October 31, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
