Applications are accepted and processed on a continuing basis. They can be requested by email or downloaded from this website.
Only complete applications will be considered. We will notify you of acceptance into the Democracy Fellows Program's general pool of eligible candidates within one month of receiving your application. Upon acceptance as an eligible candidate for the program, the Institute of International Education (IIE) will retain your application for one year. Acceptance into the Democracy Fellows Program's candidate pool does not guarantee the award of a fellowship; it only indicates eligibility for consideration for future fellowships that match the candidates’ qualifications. As new fellowship positions become available, IIE’s first step will be to consider the existing pool of candidates that meet the threshold qualifications. Individual candidates may be asked to revise their personal statement to respond to the needs of a specific fellowship opportunity. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions page for details regarding selection for a Democracy Fellowship.
Criteria for acceptance include:
- U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident (provided there are no security restrictions). Specific short-term or part-time fellowships that do not require a security clearance will be filled by U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.
- Ability to receive a U.S. national security clearance, as required.
- Ph.D., J.D., or Master's degree.
- Appropriate level of experience.
- Applicants for full-time fellowships must not have worked inside USAID as a technical professional (Direct-Hire, Non-Direct Hire, PSC) for more than five years, cumulatively.
- Fellowship applicants must not have worked as a fellow on any fellowship program within USAID for a combined total of four years, cumulatively.
All fellowship placements will be accompanied by a program description that identifies specific objectives and outcomes that contribute to the fellowship’s professional development and also contribute to USAID’s development objectives. This program is not generally designed for Democracy Fellows to pursue their own research, teaching, or other independent activities. Instead, the focus is on finding the most highly qualified applicants to address the proposed goals and work activities of the sponsoring USAID office. However, part-time and short-term Democracy Fellows may continue pursuing their own research and teaching priorities outside of their fellowship schedule . Many positions will be in Washington and some short-term assignments may be completed remotely.