Deadline: 15 October 2015
Open to: professionals in the field of democracy and human rights, college and university professors, researchers, journalists, and other writers from developing and aspiring democracies
Fellowship: monthly stipend for living expenses, basic health insurance, a round trip travel to and from Washington, D.C., a fully equipped office
Description
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program is an international exchange program that offers practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world the opportunity to spend five months at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in Washington DC, in order to undertake independent research on democratic challenges worldwide. While in residence, fellows reflect on their experiences; conduct research and writing, consider best practices and lessons learned and develop professional relationships within a global network of democracy advocates. The program offers two tracks, a practitioner track and a scholarly track:
- Practitioner track- created to support democratic activists, human rights advocates, journalists, and others who work on the front lines of democracy promotion in emerging and aspiring democracies. It seeks to provide experienced activists with an opportunity to reflect on their work, learn from counterparts in the United States, and reevaluate techniques for building democracy in their country of origin;
- Scholarly track- recognizing the importance of intellectual contributions to the theory and practice of democracy, the program offers a scholarly track principally for professors and researchers from emerging and aspiring democracies. During their stay at the forum, scholars make at least one formal presentation and complete a substantial piece of writing (a monograph or book) for publication.
2016–2017 Fellowship Sessions:
- Fall Session: October–February;
- Spring Session: March–July.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for all applicants:
- Citizens of any country may apply;
- Proficiency in the English language;
- Topics focusing on the political, social, economic, legal, or cultural aspects of democratic development;
- Availability to be in residence at the International Forum for Democratic Studies in Washington, D.C., during the year for which candidates are applying for a fellowship.
Applicants eligible for applying in one of the two tracks:
Practitioner track
- Mid-career professionals with several years of professional experience in the field of democracy and human rights;
- No specific degree requirements (a PhD is not required);
- No age limits.
Scholarly track
- College and university professors, researchers, journalists, and other writers from developing and aspiring democracies;
- Expected to possess a doctorate (a PhD, or academic equivalent) at the time of application;
- To have a proven record of publications in their field;
- Have developed a detailed research outline for their fellowship project;
- Distinguished scholars from the United States or other established democracies are also eligible to apply.
Fellowship
Fellows will receive a monthly stipend for living expenses, basic health insurance, a round trip travel to and from Washington, D.C., a fully equipped office, including internet access and a NED email account, plus a limited budget for long-distance phone calls and professional travel within the United States. The program does not provide financial assistance for accompanying family or other dependents.
The application process is conducted online for which the applicants are required to register. Applicants will be required to submit:
- Project proposal;
- Three letters of recommendation;
- Résumé/CV
- Biography
Before applying please read carefully the online application guide.
Deadline for 2016-2017 Fellowship Applications is 15 October 2015. Deadline for 2016–2017 Letters of Recommendation is October 22, 2015.
For further information please visit the official website.
