International Republican Institute (IRI) McCain Fellowship for Freedom 2024

The IRI McCain Fellowship for Freedom (MFF) brings together young leaders from around the world to continue the legacy of IRI’s 25-year Chairman Senator John McCain of fostering a new generation of democratic leaders on every continent.

Since 2019, IRI has brought McCain’s vision of promoting political and economic freedom worldwide to life through its McCain Fellowship for Freedom. Created to honor Senator McCain’s longstanding belief that “free markets are not possible without free people,” the Fellowship brings together young leaders from around the world who are dedicated to fostering democracy and economic freedom. These leaders exchange ideas with policy makers, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and other change makers to gain new insights and ideas on how to best promote democracy and citizen-centered governance. Since the program’s first iteration, IRI has hosted 16 global leaders from 15 different countries. 

• Table of Content
• About International Republican Institute
• International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom
• Aim and Benefits of International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom
• International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom Courses
• Requirements for International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About International Republican Institute

In 1982, while speaking to the British Parliament at the height of the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan called upon freedom-loving nations to “foster the infrastructure of democracy” in countries that were lacking any semblance of democratic development. The goal was to reverse the tide of tyranny and create “a world in which all people are at last free to determine their own destiny.”... continue reading

International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom

Aim and Benefits of International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom

McCain Fellows will be required to actively participate in a several-month program, including, but not limited to, the components outlined below: 

• Attend virtual sessions aimed at providing targeted assistance with skills related to policymaking, communication and advocacy.
• Attend an in-person program in the United States to meet with and learn from leaders in the governmental, non-governmental and private sectors. The program will take place in Washington, D.C. and be timed based on the selected cohort's availability. 
• Use the network gained and lessons learned from participating in the program to implement advocacy initiatives in the fellow’s community as a young, political changemaker.  
• Engage with other fellows, including from the previous iterations of the MFF program, through virtual networking sessions and platforms.

International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom Courses

• Leadership

Requirements for International Republican Institute McCain Fellowship for Freedom Qualification

McCain Fellows are rising political leaders between the ages of 21 and 40 who are committed to the promotion of political and economic freedom in their countries. They have a proven track record of leadership and accomplishment in challenging environments. They embody the potential for transformational impact in their institutions, communities and countries. Through this program, these emerging leaders will be brought into IRI’s global network across more than 100 countries, leveraging their training and contacts to catalyze their contributions to free societies. 

IRI will select up to eight young leaders who represent different regions, sectors and gender identities based on the following criteria: 

• Between the ages of 21 and 40; 
• Not a U.S. citizen;
• Proficient in English;
• Possesses robust experience in politics, government and/or private sector, with a preference for individuals with cross-sectoral experience; 
• Demonstrates a proven history of and passion for advocating for democratic and free market reform; 
• Maintains a position of authority and leadership within their current career and community. 

NOMINATION

All applicants are required to submit a letter of nomination for their participation in the McCain Fellowship for Freedom. The nominator should be someone you know well in a professional context who can speak to your qualifications for the fellowship. 

 Specific points to highlight in the nomination letter: 

• How applicant has promoted democratic resiliency and free market principles within their community; 
• How the applicant has demonstrated their leadership capacity and protentional to be a political changemaker within their community; and 
• How the applicant is uniquely positioned to be an exceptional McCain Fellow and how will the fellowship benefit their development as a political changemaker. 

 The nomination letter should be no more than one page and written in English. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

IRI is now accepting applications to the third cohort of IRI’s McCain Fellowship for Freedom through 9:00 AM EST on November 27, 2023. Access the application portal to apply.

For more details visit: IRI website.