The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program was established in 2001 with funding from the U.S. Congress to enable democratic practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change. It was named in honour of National Endowment for Democracy’s principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell.
Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows maintain full-time residence at the International Forum for Democratic Studies, NED’s research arm located in Washington, D.C. Dedicated to international exchange, the program offers a collegial environment for fellows to reflect on their experiences and consider lessons learned; conduct research and writing; develop contacts and exchange ideas with counterparts in Washington, D.C.; and build ties that contribute to the development of a global network of democracy advocates.
The Forum hosts 16 to 20 Reagan-Fascell Fellows per year, divided into two five-month sessions:
- the Fall session starts on October 1 and ends on February 28
- the Spring session begins on March 1 and ends on July 31
The program offers two tracks, a practitioner track and a scholarly track.
The Practitioner Track
The Reagan-Fascell program was established primarily to support democratic activists, human rights advocates, journalists, and others who work on the front lines of democracy promotion in emerging and aspiring democracies. The program 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. Fellowships on the practitioner track typically culminate in a strategy memorandum, short article or op-ed, and a formal presentation of the fellow’s analysis and ideas.
The 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. Accomplished scholars from established democracies are also eligible to apply. Applicants are expected to possess a Ph.D., or academic equivalent, at the time of application, and to have developed a rigorous research outline. 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.
Facilities and Services
Each fellow receives a monthly stipend for living expenses, plus health insurance and reimbursement for travel to and from Washington, D.C., at the beginning and end of the fellowship period. Fellows also receive a fully equipped office and research support through the Forum’s Democracy Resource Center and the Research Associates Program.
While in residence at the Forum, fellows have the opportunity to interact with staff and other visiting scholars and activists in the collegial environment at NED, and with the policy, media, and academic communities in Washington, D.C. Fellows are encouraged to consult with counterparts in the United States, and to participate in the many conferences and seminars held at NED and at the various universities, think tanks, and nongovernmental organizations in the metropolitan area.
How to apply
First-time users of the online system will be asked to register in order to set up a profile for themselves. Once registration is complete, candidates will receive an email containing their login information to access the online system and begin their application.
There are five steps to the online application process. Please click on each of the links below for an explanation of each step. Click the highlighted words to read more about it:
Step 1: Applicant Information
Step 2: Project Proposal for the Practitioner Track or for the Scholarly Track
Step 3: Letters of Recommendation
Step 4: Resume/CV and Biography
Step 5: Certification
The Online Application System will allow you to begin working on an application, save your progress, and return at a later time to complete the remaining application components. You are advised to save your work at all times.
Technical Difficulties: Applicants who cannot access the Online Application System should send an email to [email protected] and they will respond with instructions and materials needed to submit a complete application.
Duplicate Copies: If you have completed the online application and received a confirmation email, please DO NOT send a duplicate copy of your application or recommendation letters by email or airmail. We receive a large volume of application materials and appreciate your cooperation in minimizing our paperwork.
Deadline:
The application season for fellowships in 2012–2013 begins on August 1, 2011 and ends on November 1, 2011.
Applicants are asked to visit the Online Application Systemduring this time in order to submit their fellowship application.
To read more about the fellowships, visit their website by clicking here.
To access their online application, click here.