Hurford Youth Fellows Program in Washington, D.C. for Young Democracy Leaders

Young people already working to strengthen democracy in their own countries can apply for a four-month fellowship in Washington, D.C. The Hurford Youth Fellows Program, run by the International Forum for Democratic Studies at NED with Hurford Foundation support, selects up to three fellows. Applications close on 30 November, and recommendation letters are due by 4 December.

This is not a study course or a general leadership camp. It is a working fellowship built around one project you design yourself, on a democratic challenge in your own country or region. If you have experience in youth participation or human rights work, and a clear idea you want to develop, this programme is worth a serious look.

What you will actually do during the four months

Fellows are based in Washington, D.C. from 1 May to 31 August. You work on your own project with guidance from NED staff, and you take part in seminars, roundtables, and field trips.

Your project must address a democratic challenge in your country or region and explain what it means for young people. It can cover the political, social, economic, legal, or cultural side of democracy. A study of, or comparison with, democracy in the United States is not expected.

Two themes get special attention: building bridges between youth activists and civil society organisations, and technology and democracy, including how new tools can help democracy rather than harm it. Every fellow must also finish at least one product, such as an article, handbook, toolkit, podcast, or video, in English or another language.

The key details at a glance

Detail	Information
Programme	Hurford Youth Fellows Program
Organisation	International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Duration	Four months, 1 May to 31 August
Number of fellows	Up to three
Age limit	30 years or younger
Application deadline	30 November
Recommendation deadline	4 December
Financial support	Monthly stipend, basic health insurance, round-trip economy travel

Who this fellowship is really for

The official rule is short: you must be 30 or younger and show commitment to, and experience in, advancing youth participation in democracy. Applications are especially encouraged from leaders linked to civic organisations, human rights groups, and democracy initiatives.

You are a strong fit if you:

• Already work with a civic organisation, human rights group, or youth initiative, even in a small role.
• Can point to real work you have done, such as organising peers or running a campaign.
• Have a specific democratic problem in mind and a rough idea for exploring it.
• Are ready to think about how lessons from your country could apply elsewhere.

You should probably not apply if you only want a general trip abroad, have no background in civic or democracy work, or cannot describe a project idea in plain language. With only up to three places, selection is highly competitive, and a vague application will not stand out.

What the Hurford Youth Fellows Program pays for, and what it does not

Each fellow receives a monthly stipend for living expenses, basic health insurance, and round-trip economy-class travel to and from Washington, D.C. The stipend is calculated to cover a short-term furnished rental apartment, food, local transport, and other necessities. The exact amount is not specified officially, so do not rely on figures from other websites.

One cost rule needs clear attention. If you bring family members, you must pay their round-trip travel and living expenses in the United States, since the fellowship does not cover dependents. Visa arrangements are also not specified officially, so ask the fellowship team directly about visa questions.

How to shape a project that stands out

Start from a problem you have seen up close, not from a grand topic. A project on youth and democracy in general is too broad. A project on why young activists in your city struggle to turn protests into decision-making seats is one a reader can picture.

Make it concrete. Name the country or community, say what you want to investigate, and explain the change you hope to see. Avoid a generic pledge to promote democracy – reviewers will look for a project that can be completed in four months and turned into a real product.

Show why you, specifically, are the right person to carry it out, and how you will share what you learn when you return home.

Before you apply, check you can say yes to these

• You are 30 or younger.
• You have a project idea focused on a democratic challenge in your country or region.
• You can commit to four months in Washington, D.C. from 1 May to 31 August.
• You have a referee who can submit a recommendation letter by 4 December.
• You are ready to produce a product in English or another language.

How to apply

Apply through the official Hurford Youth Fellows application portal. You will need a project proposal, a CV or résumé, and contact details for one referee who can submit a recommendation letter by 4 December. The application asks for your project idea, its relevance to youth participation in democracy, and how you will share your findings.

Be direct. State the problem, your approach, and what you will produce. Avoid vague language about empowering youth and building capacity without explaining how. If you use AI tools, keep the writing your own: wholesale copying of AI-generated answers is prohibited.

Applications close on 30 November, so do not wait until the final day. Give your referee time to write and submit the letter by 4 December, and check that every document is uploaded before you submit.

For comparison, see our guides to the GLOCAL Erasmus Mundus Scholarship and the Erasmus Mundus MESPOM scholarship.