Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program
A three-week Stanford programme (formerly Draper Hills) for mid-career democracy, rule-of-law and development practitioners from countries where democracy is not well entrenched. Stanford covers accommodation, meals and transport during the programme.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Fellowship, Training
Destination
United States
Funding
Stanford covers accommodation, meals and transportation during the programme. Fellows typically pay their own round-trip airfare; a small travel fund may help. No funding or housing for family members.
Eligible applicants
Mid-career practitioners (28+, 10-12 years' experience) from transitioning democracies
Photo: Oleg Alexandrov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program is offered by Stanford University (Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law) for Fellowship, Training study in United States. Confirm the current cycle on the official page before applying.
What this scholarship covers
Accommodation
Included
Meals
Included
Local transport during the programme
Included
International airfare
May be included
Family travel and housing
Not included
Stanford covers accommodation, meals and transportation during the programme. Fellows typically pay their own round-trip airfare; a small travel fund may help. No funding or housing for family members. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Based on the provider’s published information
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
No
Scholarship scope
University-specific
Last eligibility check
October 13, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Must be from and living in a country where democracy is not well entrenched; applicants from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and EU member states are not accepted.
- International eligibility
- Not an academic degree; a three-week residential programme. Exceptions to the residence rule may be made for people living abroad because of war or conflict.
- AgeRequired
- At least 28 at the start of the programme in July 2027.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Bachelor's degree not required, though the page says most alumni hold one.
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Language requirements
- English languageRequired
- Strong written and spoken English required.
Experience and personal requirements
- Financial needRequired
- A small travel fund is available for those who cannot afford travel, with priority to financial need and very high airfares.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- United States
Official eligibility summary
For practitioners in government, public policy, civil society, economic development or rule of law with at least 10 to 12 years of experience and aged 28 or over by July 2027. Applicants must be from and live in a country where democracy is not well entrenched. Full-time degree students are not accepted. Strong written and spoken English is required.
Applicant profile
- Mid-career practitioners (28+, 10-12 years' experience) from transitioning democracies
Study route
- Fellowship, Training study in United States
Current-cycle criteria
- For practitioners in government, public policy, civil society, economic development or rule of law with at least 10 to 12 years of experience and aged 28 or over by July 2027. Applicants must be from and live in a country where democracy is not well entrenched. Full-time degree students are not accepted. Strong written and spoken English is required.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- CV (1-3 pages, English)
- Essays
- Video pitch (up to 2 minutes)
- Two to three recommendation letters
How to apply
- 1
Create an account on the Slideroom portal
- 2
Complete the form: applicant information, academics and career, CV, essays, English proficiency, video, financial information, references
- 3
Request two to three letters of recommendation
- 4
Submit by 12 January 2027
Application timeline
Application cycle
The 2027 programme runs 18 July to 8 August 2027. The application window opens in late October 2026; the complete application including letters is due 12 January 2027; selection is notified by April 2027.
The listed deadline is January 12, 2027. Confirm it on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Stanford University (Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law)
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 13, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
The listed deadline is January 12, 2027. Confirm that it remains current on the official provider page.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.