2027 Hurford Youth Fellows Program
The International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is accepting applications for the 2027 Hurford Youth Fellows Program. Up to three fellows will spend four months in Washington, D.C., from 1 May to 31 August 2027. The programme welcomes emerging youth leaders from around the world, including Nigeria, who have experience advancing youth participation in democracy.
Opportunity Summary
| Provider | International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) |
|---|---|
| Opportunity type | Fellowships |
| Cycle | 2027 |
| Host country | United States |
| Duration | Four months, from 1 May to 31 August 2027. |
| Funding | Monthly living stipend, basic health insurance, and roundtrip economy-class travel to and from Washington, D.C. The stipend is calculated to cover a short-term furnished apartment, food, local transportation, and other necessities. No stipend amount is stated. Fellows must cover their dependents’ travel and living expenses. |
| Application deadline | Applications: November 30, 2026. Recommendation letters: December 4, 2026. No deadline timezone is stated. |
About the Opportunity
The fellowship helps emerging democracy leaders develop practical tools, exchange experiences and build relationships with activists and practitioners from other countries. It is an in-residence programme in Washington, D.C.
Fellows pursue a project addressing a democratic challenge in their country or region and its implications for young people. Projects can examine political, social, economic, legal or cultural dimensions of democracy and should reflect the applicant’s interests and expertise. A study of, or comparison with, democracy in the United States is not expected.
Areas of exploration include building stronger links between youth activists and civic organisations, and examining how artificial intelligence and other technologies can support rather than undermine democracy. Fellows work with NED colleagues to refine their project and consider how lessons from one context might inform civic action elsewhere.
Funding and Benefits
- A monthly living stipend calculated to cover a short-term furnished rental apartment, food, local transportation and other necessities. The stipend amount is not stated.
- Basic health insurance coverage.
- Roundtrip economy-class travel to and from Washington, D.C., at the beginning and end of the fellowship.
- Opportunities to exchange ideas with fellows and connect with government, civil society, academic and media communities.
Who Can Apply?
- Applicants must be 30 years of age or younger.
- Applicants must demonstrate commitment to, and experience in, advancing youth participation in democracy.
- Applications are especially encouraged from leaders affiliated with civic organisations, human rights groups and initiatives working to strengthen democracy.
- The call is open to emerging youth leaders from around the world.
What Nigerian Applicants Should Know
- Nigerians may apply under the worldwide eligibility invitation, subject to the age and experience requirements.
- This is a residential fellowship in Washington, D.C., not a remote opportunity to undertake from Nigeria.
- Visa sponsorship and immigration arrangements are not stated. The confirmed travel benefit should not be interpreted as confirmation of visa sponsorship.
- Fellows bringing family members must cover their dependants’ roundtrip travel and living expenses in the United States.
Required Documents
- Recommendation letters, due by 4 December 2026.
How to Apply
- Create an account in the programme’s online application system.
- Complete and submit your application by 30 November 2026.
- Arrange for recommendation letters to be submitted by their separate deadline of 4 December 2026.
Visit the official application page
Application Tips
Preparation advice: use concrete examples of your democracy work to explain your contribution, the young people involved and the challenge your project would address. Consider a realistic output that could be developed during four months, rather than proposing an overly broad project.
The programme prohibits copying and pasting wholly AI-generated answers into applications. Limited AI use for brainstorming, editorial guidance and translation is acceptable, provided it does not overly affect your writing style or content. Applications should present original ideas and an authentic personal voice.
Plan ahead with your recommenders because recommendation letters have a separate deadline. No deadline timezone is stated, so submitting early is sensible.
Information checked 8 November 2026.
You Might Also Like