The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) invites applications to its Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program. Established in 2001 to enable democracy activists, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change, the fellowship program is based at NED’s International Forum for Democratic Studies, in Washington, D.C.

The program offers two tracks: a practitioner track (typically 3 to 5 months) to improve strategies and techniques for building democracy abroad and to exchange ideas and experiences with counterparts in the United States; and a scholarly track (typically 5 to 10 months) to conduct original research for publication.

Eligibility: The fellows program is intended primarily to support practitioners and scholars from new and aspiring democracies. Distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Practitioners are expected to have substantial experience working to promote democracy. Scholars are expected to have a doctorate, or academic equivalent, at the time of application. The program is not designed to support students working toward a degree. A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program.

Support: The fellowship year begins October 1 and runs through July 31, with major entry dates in October and March. All fellows receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel assistance, and research support through the Forum’s Democracy Resource Center and Internship Program.

Application: For further details and instructions on how to apply, please download our "Information and Application Forms" booklet, available at www.ned.org/forum/R-FApplication.pdf or visit us online at www.ned.org and follow the link to "Fellowship Programs." Please note that all application materials must be type-written and in English.

Deadline: Applications for fellowships in 2005 -2006 must be received no later than November 1, 2004.

Notification of the competition outcome is in April 2005.

(Source: IATP.by)