Deadline: February 2, 2026
Applications are open for the Presidential Precinct Global Democracy Fellowship 2026. This 6-week immersive program will accelerate your growth as a leader in democracy, equipping you to cultivate lasting transformation in your community, country, and region.
Building on the legacy of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, and expanded to include Fellows from around the world, this signature program is designed for rising and established leaders with the potential to make a difference for democracy. Fellows will engage in academic and practical programming at the University of Virginia and William & Mary, two premier American universities, as well as the Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland, and Colonial Williamsburg.
This is a collaborative learning experience in which Fellows develop partnerships across borders and disciplines. Fellows will return home with the knowledge, skills, and connections they need for the next phase of their leadership in democracy.
Costs
- The Fellowship will cover participant costs for the DS-2019, which is required for a U.S. J-1 visa. Note that participants are responsible for visa appointment and SEVIS fees.
- Participants will be responsible for paying for any health expenses not covered by their insurance, including but not limited to co-pays, over the counter medication, and prescription medication. The Fellowship will cover all meal expenses.
- Meals will be provided directly (i.e. catered), served at a dining hall, or meals will be on your own which will be paid for using a debit card with pre-loaded funds. For all programming activities and airport transfers from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Charlottesville and Williamsburg to IAD, transportation will be provided. For any activities outside of official programming, participants are responsible for finding and paying for their own transportation.
- All lodging is covered by the Fellowship.
Eligibility
- Qualified applicants are social movement leaders, leaders of civil society organizations, local government officials, parliamentarians, democracy and human rights defenders, journalists, and creatives.
- Applicants should have at least seven years’ demonstrated experience in democracy-building, drawing on one or more of these professional disciplines: government and politics, law, peacebuilding, advocacy for vulnerable communities and communities under threat, communications, media and journalism, and cultural heritage and preservation.
- Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Preference will be given to applicants from key countries based on indices published by V-DEM, the Economist Intelligence Unit, the Atlantic Council Freedom Index, and similar sources.
Application
Applications are due by February 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern. The Fellowship runs from June 13 through July 23, 2026.
For more information, visit Global Democracy Fellowship.
