Scholarship Overview
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Program Overview
The Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development is an annual training fellowship hosted by Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. Launched in 2005 and formerly known as the Draper Hills Summer Fellows Program, it brings together approximately 28–30 mid-career practitioners from countries where democracy, human development, and good governance remain fragile or at risk.
The program is designed for individuals already making significant contributions to their societies—policy-makers, civil society leaders, legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, and journalists—who would benefit from rigorous academic training to amplify their impact. For African applicants, particularly from Zimbabwe and SADC countries, this represents a rare opportunity to join a network that includes 536 alumni from 104 developing democracies worldwide, with Africa and Eurasia comprising nearly half of the alumni base.
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2027 Program Dates and Location
The 2027 fellowship runs from Sunday, July 18 to Friday, August 6, 2027, on Stanford University’s campus in California, USA. Full attendance is mandatory—applicants must confirm they can be absent from professional obligations for the entire duration and commit to attending all sessions upon acceptance.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet strict criteria. Applications will not be reviewed if these are not satisfied:
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- Professional status: Mid-career practitioner with 10–12 years minimum experience; more experience significantly improves competitiveness
- Age: At least 28 years old by July 2027 (average fellow age is 38)
- Residency: Must be from and currently reside in a country where democracy is not well entrenched. Exceptions may apply for those displaced by war or conflict
- Exclusions: Applicants from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, and EU member states are not accepted
- Employment: Must be actively working in democracy, development, or rule of law fields. Not currently enrolled in full-time degree programs
- English proficiency: Solid command of written and spoken English required—all materials and sessions are in English
- Academic readiness: Ability to participate in six-hour daily seminars and complete advanced readings
Women represent 47% of the alumni network, and the program actively seeks strong female leaders.
What the Fellowship Covers
Stanford provides:
- Accommodations for the program duration
- All meals
- Local transportation costs
Applicants should be prepared to contribute toward their participation, typically by covering round-trip airfare to Stanford. Some fellows secure employer subsidies or fundraise after selection decisions are issued in April 2027. A small travel fund exists for those who cannot afford airfare, with priority given based on need and high-cost destinations.
Family policy: No funding is provided for family members. Stanford policy prohibits housing children under 18 on campus; fellows traveling with family must self-fund off-campus housing. The program discourages family accompaniment as it detracts from network-building.
Curriculum and Learning Format
The program combines four session styles:
- Academic sessions: Frameworks for democratic development, political transitions, law and economic development, public administration, transitional justice, food security, and global health policy
- Case study workshops: Real-world policy reform scenarios from developing countries, emphasizing strategic decision-making under political and cultural constraints
- “TED”-style talks: Fellows present 7-minute talks about their work, personal journey, and struggles—preparation begins before arrival
- Guest lectures: Practitioners from public service, technology, and philanthropy
Core faculty includes Larry Diamond, Francis Fukuyama, Erik Jensen, Michael McFaul, and Kathryn Stoner.
Application Components
Submit via SlideRoom portal by January 12, 2027, 11:59pm PST:
- Resume/CV (1–3 pages, English, .doc or .pdf, max 10MB)
- Seven essay questions (approximately 150 words each) covering your country’s democratic context, your role and impact, personal motivation, career goals, and proposed TED-style talk title
- 2-minute maximum video “elevator pitch” (MP4 or MOV, max 250MB, titled with your full name)
- Financial information
- Two to three letters of recommendation (at least one from current supervisor; alumni nominations carry weight)
All materials must be in English. The system autosaves progress.
Selection Timeline
- Application deadline: January 12, 2027
- Selection notifications: April 2027
- Program dates: July 18–August 6, 2027
Do not email for application status before April 2027.
Tips for African Applicants
Given that Africa constitutes a major portion of the alumni network, applicants from Zimbabwe and SADC countries should emphasize:
- Concrete examples of democratic reform or development initiatives they have led
- How their work addresses specific governance gaps in their national context
- Clear English communication in both written essays and video submission
- Strong supervisor recommendations that quantify impact
If nominated by a program alumnus, request their letter of recommendation—alumni nominations are reviewed favorably.
Official scholarship page: https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
