About the programme
Fellows spend four months in Washington, D.C. developing a project on a democratic challenge in their own country or region and its implications for young people. They work with NED staff and core institutes, complete at least one product (such as an article, toolkit, podcast, tech tool, or video), and take part in seminars, roundtables, and field trips. The programme is supported by the Hurford Foundation.
Duration: Four months, May 1 to August 31, 2027
Eligibility
- Must be 30 years of age or younger
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience in advancing youth participation in democracy
- Sign in to check these against your background.
What they look for
- Affiliation with civic organizations, human rights groups, or initiatives working to strengthen democracy
Needs a third party. Recommendation letters are required; due December 4, 2026.
Limits on using AI. Wholesale copy-and-paste of AI-generated answers is prohibited. Limited uses such as generating ideas, editorial guidance, and translation are acceptable if they do not overly affect writing style or content. Excessive AI reliance may make applicants less competitive.
What you will need
- Fellowship project proposal
- Recommendation letters
How to apply
- Create an account and apply through the NED Online Application System
- Recommendation letters due December 4, 2026
- Questions to fellowships@ned.org
Applications are submitted on National Endowment for Democracy (International Forum for Democratic Studies)’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.
From people who applied
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Source and verification
- Official source
- National Endowment for Democracy (International Forum for Democratic Studies) · Application
- Last checked
- 12 Nov 2026, verified by our editors
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