Reagan Fascell Democracy Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Great news! The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship is now accepting applications. In this article, we will explain everything about the fellowship, including its benefits and the complete step-by-step application process.

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity for international scholars. This fellowship is exclusively available for postdoctoral studies. The funding package covers the cost of a furnished short-term apartment along with living expenses such as food, local transportation, and other essential needs.

This initiative is a U.S. federally sponsored international exchange program that provides democracy advocates, journalists, civil society professionals, and academic researchers from across the world with the opportunity to spend five months at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, D.C., where they carry out independent research focused on democratic development in a specific country or region.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Postdoctoral / Non-degree

• Institution(s): National Endowment for Democracy

• Study in: USA

• Opportunity Focus Area(s): Democratic Studies

• Program Period: 5 months

• Deadline: November 8, 2025 (The deadline for applications is November 8, 2025. The deadline for letters of recommendation is November 15, 2025.)

Scholarship Coverage

Reagan Fascell Democracy Fellowship provides the recipient with the following benefits:

• 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.

• Each fellow receives a monthly stipend for living expenses, plus basic health insurance and round-trip travel to and from Washington, D.C., at the beginning and end of the fellowship period.

• 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’ round-trip travel and stay within the United States.

Eligibility Criteria for Reagan Fascell Democracy Fellowship

To be eligible for Reagan Fascell Democracy Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Required Language: Demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

• Eligible Countries: All world countries.

• 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.

• Prior to applicants’ arrival in the United States, 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.

How to Apply for Reagan Fascell Democracy Fellowship?

Please follow the following steps to avail Reagan Fascell Democracy Fellowship:

1. In order to apply for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship you must first create an account through the 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.

2. Please submit all application materials in English.

Website

To know more about Reagan Fascell Democracy Fellowship, please visit the official website:

Official Website