The NED Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program in USA for Developing Countries (Fully-funded)

Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program

Program(s) Offered: Democratic Studies
Program Level: Fellowship, Research
Provider: U.S. Government via NED
Country to Work in: USA

Scholarship Description
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program is a U.S. federally funded, international exchange program that offers practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world the opportunity to spend five months in residence at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in Washington, D.C., in order to undertake independent research on democracy in a particular country or region.

Located within NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, the program provides a rich intellectual setting for educational exchange and professional development. While in residence, fellows reflect on their experiences; engage with counterparts; conduct research and writing; consider best practices and lessons learned; and develop professional relationships within a global network of democracy advocates.

Two different Tracks exist for participants of the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program: Practitioner Track and Scholarly Track.

Eligibility
Proficiency in the English language is required.

Eligibility differs according to the Track an interested candidate may belong:

A). Participant Track:

Applicants interested in the practitioner track are expected to have substantial practical experience working to promote democracy or human rights in their country of origin or interest. There are no specific degree requirements for the practitioner track. A Ph.D., for instance, is not required of practitioner applicants. While there are also no age limits, applicants on the practitioner track are typically mid-career professionals with several years of professional experience in the field of democracy and human rights.

Examples of eligible candidates for the practitioner track include human rights advocates, lawyers, journalists, labor leaders, political party activists, diplomats, professional staff of civic or humanitarian organizations, and other civil society professionals from developing and aspiring democracies.

B). Scholarly Track:

Applicants interested in the scholarly track are expected to possess a doctorate (a Ph.D., or academic equivalent) at the time of application, to have a proven record of publications in their field, and to have developed a detailed research outline for their fellowship project.

Examples of eligible candidates for the scholarly track include college and university professors, researchers, journalists, and other writers from developing and aspiring democracies. Distinguished scholars from the United States or other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Occasionally, a professional who is planning to write a book or other scholarly publication may qualify to apply on the scholarly track.

Please note:
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program does not award scholarship funds, loans, or any other type of financial aid to university students, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers. In addition, our fellowship program is not an educational or training program leading toward an academic degree.

Eligible groups
Citizens of Developing countries in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East

Participating Institutions
International Forum for Democratic Studies, The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Washington, D.C., USA

Fields of study
Practitioners may focus on strategies and best practices for developing democracy in their country of interest. Projects may address the economic, political, social, legal, or cultural aspects of democratic development and include a range of methodologies and approaches

Number of awards
Not specified

Sponsorship duration
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program offers five-month fellowships -- Fall 2018 (October 1, 2018-February 28, 2019) and Spring 2019 (March 1-July 31, 2019)

Scholarship benefits:
The fellowship is Fully-funded:

• Research
• Capacity Building
• Impact
• Exchange

Method of Application
Applications must be done online. There are five steps to the online application process:

• 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. You may complete Step 1 (Applicant Information) at any time of the year. However, you will only be able to proceed to Steps 2, 3, 4, and 5 during the official application season (June–October).

It is important to carefully read through the Submitting Your Application page, and also visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete information on how to apply for this fellowship program.

DEADLINES:
Applications start every year on June 1 and end October. The deadline for applying for submitting your application is October 15, 2017

PLEASE NOTE:
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. Established in 1983 with funding from the U.S. Congress, the Endowment makes hundreds of grants each year to support pro-democracy groups in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Named in honor of NED’s principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell (D-Fl.), the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program is a federally funded, international exchange program.

Application Deadline: 15 October 2017
Open for International Students: Yes

More Fellowship Information and Application

Related: Social Sciences Scholarships for International Students