Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 16, 2016.
Launched in 2005, the Draper Hills Summer Fellowship on Democracy and Development Program (DHSFDD) is a three-week academic training program that is hosted annually at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. The program brings together a group of 25 to 30 mid-career practitioners in law, politics, government, private enterprise, civil society, and international development from transitioning countries. This training program provides a unique forum for emerging leaders to connect, exchange experiences, and receive academic training to enrich their knowledge and advance their work.
For three weeks during the summer, fellows participate in academic seminars that expose them to the theory and practice of democracy, development, and the rule of law. Delivered by leading Stanford faculty from the Stanford Law School, the Graduate School of Business, and the departments of economics and political science, these seminars allow emerging leaders to explore new institutional models and frameworks to enhance their ability to promote democratic change in their home countries.
Eligibility Requirements:
- This program is aimed at mid-career practitioners working actively in the field 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 a 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.
Funding
- 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 during 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.
- They may also choose to fundraise for these costs after selection decisions are issued in April 2017.
- 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 where airline fares to California are exorbitant.
How to Apply:
You can access the application portal here.
All application materials must be submitted in English. Applicants should be sensitive to word count and not exceed any of the stated word count limits in the narrative sections of the form as you will automatically be cut off.
Please remember that you are always able to save and return to your work at any time by clicking on the “Save Draft” button. We encourage you to save your work often during the application process so you do not jeopardize losing your material.
The application contains the following sections:
I. Applicant Information
II. Academics & Career Information
V. English Language Proficiency
VII. Financial Information
VIII. Letters of Recommendation
IX. Personal Certification
For More Information: