The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship Program is a federally funded international exchange program that gives democracy activists, journalists, civil society leaders, and academics from all over the world the chance to spend five months in residence at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in Washington, D.C. to conduct independent research on democracy in a specific country.
The program was named in honor of former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell.
The program provides a nurturing and challenging intellectual environment for educational exchange and career development.
The program provides five-month fellowships for scholars to carry out original research for publication and five-month fellowships for practitioners to develop strategies and techniques for fostering democracy abroad.
A private, nonprofit organization called the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is devoted to advancing and defending democratic institutions worldwide.
NED awards more than 2,000 grants annually to non-governmental organizations operating overseas that promote democracy in more than 100 nations.
About the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship
TYPE: Training.
DURATION: 5 months.
FINANCING: Fully funded.
OPEN TO: All nationalities.
HOST COUNTRY: United States of America.
HOST ORGANIZATION: The National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Eligibility for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship
Prospective applicants may apply on either the practitioner or scholarly track. 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).
Furthermore, applicants on the practitioner track should:
- Be from developing and aspiring democracies or non-democratic countries.
- There are no specific degree requirements.
- There are also no age limits.
- Have substantial practical experience working to promote democracy or human rights in their country of origin or interest
- Be mid-career professionals.
Examples (not limited to) of eligible candidates for the practitioner track include human rights advocates, civil society leaders, political party figures, human rights lawyers, parliamentarians, labor union activists, journalists, and other media members.
Meanwhile, applicants applying to the scholarly track are expected to:
- Possess a doctorate (a Ph.D. or academic equivalent) at the time of application.
- Have published in their field of expertise.
- Have developed a detailed research outline for their fellowship project.
Examples, but not limited to, of eligible candidates for the scholarly track, include college and university professors, analysts at research centers and think tanks, writers, and public intellectuals.
BENEFITS OF REAGAN-FASCELL DEMOCRACY FELLOWSHIP
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.
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship payments are calculated to cover the cost of a short-term, furnished rental apartment plus the “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.
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 to travel to the United States. Accompanying family members must obtain a J-2 visa.
It is worth mentioning 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.
HOW TO APPLY FOR REAGAN-FASCELL DEMOCRACY FELLOWSHIP
To apply for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship, you must first create an account through the program 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:
- Your personal information.
- Project proposal for the practitioner or the scholarly fellowship track.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Resume/CV and Biography.
All application materials must be in English.
The deadline for applications for the 2023-2024 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships Program is October 17, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST. The deadline for submission of letters of recommendation is October 24, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST.
