Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship (NED) — Fully Funded 2026–27 Fellowship

Overview

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship—named after NED’s founders, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Congressman Dante Fascell—is a absolutely funded worldwide alternate program hosted by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, D.C.

This prestigious five-month fellowship helps democracy activists, journalists, civil society leaders, and students from world wide to undertake impartial analysis, writing, {and professional} improvement in a wealthy mental surroundings.

The program is run by NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, one of many world’s main facilities for the evaluation of worldwide democratic traits.

As part of NED’s new Democracy Accelerator framework, the fellowship convenes a choose group of civic leaders, technologists, practitioners, and students to incubate cutting-edge concepts and options for advancing democracy globally.

Quick Facts

• Host Institution: National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

• Location: Washington, D.C., United States

• Duration: 5 months

• Funding Type: Fully Funded

• Tracks: Practitioner Track and Scholarly Track

• Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

• Recommendation Letter Deadline: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (5:00 PM Eastern)

• Notification: Late Spring 2026 (May)

• Eligibility: Open to world practitioners and students (U.S. and non-U.S.)

• Program Email: fellowships@ned.org

What the Fellowship Offers (Fully Funded Benefits)

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship is absolutely funded, overlaying all main bills at some point of this system:

Financial Support

• Monthly Stipend: Covers value of a furnished short-term residence, meals, transportation, and day by day residing bills.

• Health Insurance: Basic medical insurance coverage for the guy throughout residency.

• Roundtrip Travel: Airfare to and from Washington, D.C. in the beginning and finish of the fellowship.

• Office and Research Support: Fellows obtain a completely outfitted workplace, entry to NED assets, and a modest funds for skilled journey inside the U.S.

Fellows who deliver dependents should cowl the journey and residing prices of accompanying relations.

Research and Professional Development

• One-on-one advisory and editorial help from NED program employees.

• Opportunities to have interaction with authorities, NGO, tutorial, and media establishments in Washington, D.C.

• Participation in seminars, roundtables, and subject visits to discover democratic establishments and practices.

• Access to a world community of democracy advocates, students, and policymakers.

Fellowship Objectives

During the five-month residency, fellows:

• Conduct impartial analysis and writing on democracy and human rights.

• Reflect on skilled experiences and share classes discovered.

• Build cross-regional and comparative views on democratic improvement.

• Produce a remaining product similar to a coverage paper, article, report, handbook, podcast, or video.

• Present their work publicly on the finish of the fellowship.

The program’s new Democracy Accelerator mannequin emphasizes collaboration, comparative evaluation, and sensible innovation to deal with rising world challenges—similar to authoritarian affect, digital governance, and transnational repression.

Fellowship Tracks

Practitioner Track

Designed primarily for activists, journalists, and civic leaders from creating or non-democratic international locations.

Ideal Candidates:

Requirements:

• Significant sensible expertise selling democracy or human rights.

• Mid-career professionals (no diploma or age limits).

• English proficiency.

• Full-time availability in Washington, D.C. for the five-month fellowship.

Scholarly Track

Designed for researchers and teachers from world wide, together with established democracies.

Ideal Candidates:

Requirements:

• Doctorate (Ph.D. or equal) on the time of application.

• Strong report of publications within the applicant’s space of experience.

• Detailed analysis proposal centered on democratic improvement.

• English proficiency and full-time residence in Washington, D.C.

Note: Former Reagan-Fascell fellows are not eligible for repeat awards.

Eligibility Criteria

All candidates should:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English.

• Propose a undertaking on democracy and human rights, addressing political, social, authorized, or cultural features.

• Be out there for full-time, in-residence participation in Washington, D.C.

• Submit a whole application in English earlier than the deadline.

Application Process for 2026–27

To apply for the absolutely funded Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship:

1. Create an account via NED’s online application portal. For detailed directions on the way to create an account, click on here. Once you might have arrange an account, the application course of requires you to submit:

2. Complete the net kind with the next supplies:

   • Personal and phone info

   • Project proposal for the Practitioner or Scholarly monitor

   • Two letters of advice

   • Résumé/CV and biography

Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
Recommendation Deadline: January 7, 2026 (5:00 PM Eastern)

All submissions should be in English. Applicants might be notified of outcomes by late spring 2026.

Selection Process

• The fellowship is awarded via a extremely aggressive, annual world choice course of.

• Applications endure rigorous assessment and are finalized by the NED Board of Directors.

• Deferrals should not permitted besides in extraordinary instances.

Selected fellows are anticipated to align their work with NED’s priorities and contribute to the establishment’s mission of advancing democracy worldwide.

Visa Requirements

• Non-U.S. residents should acquire a J-1 alternate customer visa; accompanying dependents require J-2 visas.

• Applicants who’ve participated in a J-1 analysis scholar program inside the previous 24 months are ineligible.

• Fellows are sometimes topic to a two-year home residency requirement following the fellowship.

Responsible Use of Generative AI

The Reagan-Fascell Program encourages genuine purposes written in your personal voice.

• Prohibited: Copying AI-generated responses instantly into the application.

• Permitted: Limited use of AI for brainstorming, enhancing, or translation, offered it doesn’t distort your authentic concepts.

• Applications demonstrating originality and authenticity might be prioritized.

Important Dates

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Contact

For questions or application help, please contact:
📧 fellowships@ned.org

Conclusion

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship is a absolutely funded alternative for democracy practitioners and students to deepen their impression, collaborate throughout borders, and contribute to world democratic renewal.

With complete monetary help, entry to world-class analysis networks, and the mental surroundings of NED, the fellowship serves as a launchpad for modern, high-impact democratic initiatives world wide.

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