Stanford University's CDDRL Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development 2024

The Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development is a training program hosted annually by Stanford University's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI). Launched in 2005 and formerly known as the Draper Hills Summer Fellows Program, the program brings together a group of approximately 28-30 mid-career practitioners from transitioning countries who are working to advance democratic practices and economic and legal reform in contexts where freedom, human development, and good governance are fragile or at risk. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, our program participants are selected from among hundreds of applicants every year for the significant contributions they have already made to their societies and their potential to make an even greater impact with some help from Stanford.

The Summer Fellows alumni network includes 449 alumni from 97 developing democracies worldwide. Their professional backgrounds are as diverse as the problems they confront in their home countries, but the one common feature is their commitment to building sound structures of democracy and development. The regions of Eurasia, which includes the former Soviet Union and Central Asia, along with Africa, constitute almost half of our alumni network. Women represent 47% of the network, and the program is always looking to identify strong female leaders working to advance change in their local communities.

Previous Summer Fellows have served as presidential advisors, senators, attorneys general, lawyers, journalists, civic activists, entrepreneurs, judges, think-tank directors, and influential members of the international development community.

• Table of Content
• About Stanford University
• Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development
• Aim and Benefits of Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development
• Requirements for Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Stanford University

Stanford University was founded in 1885 by California senator Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, “to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization.”

Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development

Aim and Benefits of Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development

Stanford asks all applicants to be prepared to contribute towards the cost of their participation in the fellowship if they are selected. Typically this comes in the form of a fellow covering round-trip airfare to the Program. Stanford will pay for accommodations, meals, and transportation costs for the duration of the Program.

In the past, some fellows have asked their employers to subsidize their travel to Stanford based on the benefits that the training will contribute towards their professional and organizational advancement. Fellows may also choose to fundraise for these costs after selection decisions are issued in April 2024.

A small travel fund is available for fellows who under no circumstances can support their travel or need to apply for a partial subsidy. Priority for accessing the travel fund will be given based on need, and destinations from which airline fares to California are exorbitant. 

Requirements for Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development Qualification

This program is aimed at mid-career practitioners working actively in the fields of democracy, development, and the rule of law. Applicants can be working as policy-makers, academics, legal professionals, social entrepreneurs, business entrepreneurs, and leaders of civil society organizations (such as representatives of trade unions, nongovernmental organizations, the media, business and professional associations). In their present capacity, applicants should play important and influential roles in their country's political, economic, and social development. Participants should have demonstrated professional and personal achievements in a relevant sector of democracy, development, and the rule of law.                           

Each year we strive to recruit a diverse group of 25 to 30 individuals who are at the right stage in their professional trajectory to benefit from rigorous academic training to enhance their potential to promote democratic change in their home countries. Successful applicants will have academic credentials necessary to participate and contribute to the six-hour seminars each day and tackle advanced academic readings to complement the classroom-based curriculum. Ninety-nine percent of our alumni hold a bachelor's degree at the time of their participation in the program but this is not a requirement for admission to the program.

A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program. It is expected that each fellow has a solid command of written and spoken English to fully benefit and participate in the program. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for Stanford University Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development

Due to the large volume of applications we receive each year to the fellowship program, we take our selection criteria very seriously. Please review the criteria below very carefully before submitting your application to the program. If you do not meet these criteria your application will not be reviewed.

1. This is not an academic fellowship but is meant for practitioners only. We value practical experience over academic credentials, and we admit scholars only to the extent that they are active in government, public policy, civil society, economic development and rule of law. They should hold leadership roles in their respective sector.
    
2. Applicants must be mid-career practitioners and have at least 10 to 12 years of experience to qualify for the fellowship. Those with more experience are much more competitive in the selection process.
    
3. Candidates must be from and currently reside in a country where democracy is not well entrenched. Candidates residing outside their home country due to war or conflict may be granted exceptions. Applicants will not be accepted from countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, and member states of the European Union.
    
4. Candidates must be at least 28 years of age at the start of the fellowship in July 2024. The average age of our fellows at the time of the program is 38.
    
5. Candidates must be actively working in the field of democracy, development, and the rule of law. We do not accept candidates who are in the midst of full-time university degree programs.
    
6. Candidates must have a solid command of written and spoken English. All program materials and sessions are in English. Participants will also be required to give a 7-minute "TED"-style talk during the three-week program regarding their work and motivation. English language proficiency is very important in order to benefit and contribute to the program dialogue. 

The dates for the 2024 Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program are Sunday, July 21 – Friday, August 9, 2024. Applicants are required to participate for the entire duration of the fellowship program. They must be sure that they can be absent from their professional obligations during that time and must make a commitment to attend the full program upon acceptance.

*Please note these dates may evolve based on the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic.

Documents Required for Application

The application contains the following sections:

1. Applicant Information
2. Academics & Career Information
3. Resume/CV
4. Essay Questions
5. English Language Proficiency
6. Video Submission
7. Financial Information
8. Letters of Recommendation
9. Personal Certification

Application Deadline

How to Apply

CDDRL invites emerging political, civil society, and business leaders from transitional countries to apply to participate in its 19th annual Summer Fellows Program. The deadline for the application form and two letters of recommendation is 5:00 pm PST on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

The Fisher Family Summer Fellows program uses the WizeHive application system to manage all incoming applications. This system is widely employed by other fellowship programs and should be easy to use. Here are some guidelines to take note of when using the application system:

• You can save your work at any time and return to the form at your convenience. You do not need to complete the application form in one sitting. It is strongly suggested that you save your work often by clicking on the "Save Draft" button at the end of the page.
   
• Once you submit your application form you can no longer return to make any changes. Please review all your work before clicking the "Submit" button at the end of the application form.
   
• The system will notify you by email during the following stages in the application submission process:
  
  1.  When your application form has been received.
  2.  When letters of recommendation have been submitted on your behalf.
  3.  Once your application file is complete, with a minimum of two letters of recommendation.

For more details visit: Stanford University website.