Hurford Youth Fellows Program 2027: Funded Fellowship in Washington, D.C.
About this opportunity
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is accepting applications for the Hurford Youth Fellows Program 2027, hosted by its International Forum for Democratic Studies. The fellowship supports emerging leaders working to strengthen democracy.
Key dates and details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Fellowship dates | 1 May–31 August 2027 |
| Places available | Up to three |
| Application deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Recommendation-letter deadline | 4 December 2026 |
Who can apply?
The fellowship welcomes early-career applicants worldwide who are 30 years old or younger. NED application portal.
You must demonstrate experience and commitment to advancing youth participation in democracy. Leaders affiliated with civic organisations, human rights groups and democracy initiatives are particularly encouraged. Eligibility requirements.
Financial support
Selected fellows receive:
- A monthly stipend covering furnished accommodation, food, local transport and necessities.
- Basic health insurance.
- Round-trip economy travel to Washington, D.C.
You must cover accompanying dependants’ travel and living expenses. No fixed stipend amount is published. Funding details.
What will you work on?
Your project should address a democratic challenge affecting young people in your country or region. Fellows must produce at least one output, such as an article, toolkit, podcast or video. Project requirements.
How to apply
-
Open the Hurford application portal.
Visit the Hurford application page. You can use an existing nedfellowships.org account or create a new one. -
Register and confirm your email.
New applicants enter an email address and follow the confirmation link to create a username and password. Check your spam folder if the message does not arrive. -
Complete account security setup.
NED’s guide explains how to configure Microsoft Authenticator and phone verification. When signing in, use your assigned username ending in nedfellowships.org, rather than your personal email address. -
Complete your application.
Follow the instructions within each section and check the portal’s current document requirements. The guide states that you can log out and return to your application. -
Review and submit.
Check that your experience, proposed project and supporting information are accurate. Submit by the application deadline and coordinate with your referees so their letters arrive by the separate recommendation deadline.
For technical instructions, consult NED’s Hurford account-setup guide.
Using AI in your application
NED prohibits copying complete AI-generated answers into applications. Limited brainstorming, editorial assistance and translation are permitted, provided your ideas and voice remain your own. Official AI guidance.
Official information and application
- Programme details: Hurford Youth Fellows Program
- Apply online: Hurford application portal
- Enquiries: fellowships@ned.org
