The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship 2026, a premier fully funded USA democracy program, invites activists, journalists, civil society leaders, and scholars from over 100+ countries to a 5-month residency to a 5-month international democracy research fellowship at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, D.C., D.C. Funded by the U.S. Congress and named after Ronald Reagan and Dante Fascell, this program, hosted by NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, engages 16–20 fellows annually to advance global democratic transformations through independent research and on political, social, economic, legal, or cultural aspects of democracy. Since 2001, over 420 fellows have emerged as global democracy innovators, strengthening networks across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East.
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship offers two specialized tracks: practitioner and scholarly. Practitioners, such as human rights defenders, election monitors, or media advocates, refine democracy-building strategies through 50+ hours of workshops on civic mobilization, electoral transparency, and press freedom, partnering with NED affiliates like National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Republican Institute (IRI), Solidarity Center, and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). Scholars, including academics or policy analysts, undertake original research for peer-reviewed publications, accessing NED’s digital archives and Library of Congress to explore themes like electoral integrity, civil liberties, or digital authoritarianism. Fellows produce policy papers, op-eds, or multimedia projects, shared at NED roundtables, with 92% contributing to global democratic discourse.
This global democracy fellowship fosters cross-cultural collaboration, uniting fellows through 35+ hours of events like seminars, policy dialogues, and field visits to landmarks institutions like the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, or National Archives. Recreational activities, such as D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival or Smithsonian Museum tours, enrich the transformative D.C. fellowship. The program’s hybrid framework ensures accessibility, offering 25+ hours of virtual sessions via Zoom if travel is restricted, maintaining real-time engagement. Fellows connect with U.S. policymakers, NGOs, and think tanks like Freedom House, forging global democracy advocacy networks, with 88% sustaining professional ties.
Participants immerse in Washington, D.C.’s intellectual epicenter, exploring landmarks like Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, or Georgetown’s historic waterfront. Academic resources at American University and think tanks like Carnegie Endowment bolster research excellence, with connectivity to Paris, Cairo, and Santiago. D.C.’s dynamic hub (QS Best Cities 2025: #17) complements the fellowship, ideal for democracy champions. The program supports NED’s mission to advance global freedom, welcoming fellows from emerging democracies, authoritarian regimes, and established democracies.
Join the global cohort to champion democratic transformation, embrace D.C.’s intellectual hub, and shape a free world with Reagan-Fascell Fellowship 2026!
Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship in the USA:
Host Country:
•The United States of America
Host Organization:
•National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
Fellowship Location:
•Washington, D.C.
Fellowship Duration:
•5 Months
Benefits of the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship:
•The fellows will receive a monthly stipend.
•The health insurance of the fellows will be covered by the organization.
•The cost of a furnished rental apartment will be paid.
•The cost of roundtrip travel to and from Washington D.C. will be covered.
•The costs of living which include food, local transportation, and other living necessities will be covered.
•A fully equipped office will be provided.
•The cost of long-distance phone calls and professional trips will be covered. (Limited budget).
Eligibility Criteria of the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship:
The basic eligibility criteria are the same for both practitioners as well as scholars. However, some requirements are different for both of them.
1. The applicants must be proficient in English.
2. The applicant must propose a project that will be focusing on the political, social, economic legal, or cultural sides of the democratic countries.
3. The applicants must ensure their availability at the residence in Washington D.C. during their 5-months of the fellowship program.
4. Applicants must pay a USD 19 registration fee.
Eligibility for Practitioners Track
1. The applicant must be a mid-career professional.
2. The applicant must have practical experience promoting democracy or human rights in the country or region.
Eligibility for Scholars
1. The applicants must have completed the PhD or equivalent academic degree at the time of application.
2. The applicants must have a record of publications in their respective fields.
3. The applicants must formulate a detailed outline of the research project for the fellowship program.
Documents required for the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship:
1. Recommendation letter (if available).
2. Certificate of student status/Certificate of Graduation of Academic degree.
3. Academic transcript (if required).
4. Proof of Language proficiency (English)/ Medium of Instruction (English).
5. CV (if required).
6. Motivation letter/statement of purpose (if any).
7. Additional Documents for Special Circumstances.
8. Copy of Valid Passport (Photo and Information Page).
9. Passport Size Photocopy (Professional photo with White Background and size less than 2 MB).
10. University Admission Offer Letter (If Already Issued).
11. Project Proposal (1,000–2,000 words).
12. Proof of Democracy-Related Experience (e.g., publications, project reports)
Program Deadline:
• Registration deadline for 2025 has passed.
• Registration for 2026 is now open with a tentative deadline in November 2025!
Note:
We initiate the application process for current year as well as in advance for the next academic year to maximize your chances of success.
