The McCain Institute at Arizona State University runs this fellowship with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Fellows carry out their own 12-month project applying research and technology to protect democracy and rights.
Launched in 2024 as the Policy Translation Fellowship for one fellow, it was reopened in 2025 as the American Democracy & Technology Fellowship, with 11 fellows named for 2026.
Benefits & funding
- 2025 call: a project grant of US$10,000–20,000 depending on how many grants are made (program page); US$10,000–25,000 (September 2025 press release).
- 2024 call: a US$100,000 one-year stipend for a single fellow.
- Access to the McCain Institute’s and Knight Foundation’s networks.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be based in the United States.
- A bachelor’s degree plus six years of relevant work experience, or a graduate degree in a relevant field (technology, democracy policy, national security, law, business) plus two years, or an equivalent mix of education and experience.
- No nationality rule is published.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Qualified candidates must be located in the United States, and have a bachelor’s degree and six years of relevant work experience or have completed a graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. technology sector, democracy and tech, democracy policy, national security, law, or business) and two years of work experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience to be considered for this fellowship.” Eligibility
Residence required
USA
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Application process
- 1Write a proposal of at most two pages for a 12-month project (the 2024 call allowed four pages, tied to a Knight Research Network study).
- 2Submit it by the deadline (24 October in 2025).
Program timeline
2025 call opened
Sep 24, 2025
Application deadline
Oct 24, 2025
2026 cohort announced
Mar 4, 2026
No date for the next call is published