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  • About the NED Grants Program

    Each year, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) makes more than 2,000 grants to support the projects of nongovernmental groups abroad who are working to advance democratic goals and strengthen democratic institutions in more than 100 countries.

  • Who NED Funds

    NED funds only nongovernmental organizations, which may include civic organizations, associations, independent media, and other similar organizations.

    NED encourages applications from organizations working in diverse environments including newly established democracies, semi-authoritarian countries, highly repressive societies and countries undergoing democratic transitions.

    NED does not make grants to individuals, governmental bodies, or state-supported institutions such as public universities.

  • What Type of Programs NED Supports

    NED is interested in proposals from local, independent organizations for nonpartisan programs that seek to:

    • Promote and defend human rights and the rule of law
    • Support freedom of information and independent media
    • Strengthen democratic ideas and values
    • Promote accountability and transparency
    • Strengthen civil society organizations
    • Strengthen democratic political processes and institutions
    • Promote civic education
    • Support democratic conflict resolution
    • Promote freedom of association
    • Strengthen a broad-based market economy

    All proposed projects must be consistent with NED’s general purposes as outlined in the NED Statement of Principles and Objectives.

    For more information on the types of programs NED supports in each region, please see Where We Work.

     

  • How Funding Decisions Are Made

    Decisions are made on a quarterly basis by the NED Board of Directors. The Board considers the following factors:

    • how a program fits within the Endowment’s overall priorities,
    • its relevance to specific needs and conditions in a particular country,
    • the democratic commitment and experience of the applicant.
  • Dates and Deadlines

    Upcoming Board of Directors meeting dates and proposal submission deadlines are as follows:

    Proposal Submission Deadline

    September 20, 2023
    December 11, 2023
    March 11, 2024
    June 3, 2024

    *Proposals submitted after the deadline will be considered at the following Board Meeting.

    Board of Directors Meeting

    January 12, 2024
    March 22, 2024
    June 14, 2024
    September 13, 2024

  • Application Requirements

    Please note that we have updated our application forms to PDF. Please apply using only those forms. The old Excel versions will not be accepted.

    Applications must include the following items:

    Organizational Profile Form
    This form collects the same basic organizational information. Organization Profile Form

    Application Proposal Form
    This form collects project specific information. Application Proposal Form

    Proposal Narrative
    Please follow the PROPOSAL GUIDELINES to prepare in advance the Proposal Narrative in English or your local language. The narrative should describe the project.

    Proposal Budget
    This is the financial description of the project you would like to conduct with NED funds and should correspond to the activities in the Proposal Narrative. Please follow the PROPOSAL GUIDELINES for additional instructions and use the Microsoft Excel BUDGET TEMPLATE whenever possible. You will attach this file to your online application.

    Registration Documents (if applicable)
    Please include your Certificate of Registration or other documentation showing the legal status of your organization. If your organization is not registered, this documentation is not required. Instead, please include an explanation (in the transmittal email) as to why your organization is not registered and the status of any pending applications for registration.

  • How to Apply

    To apply for a grant, please complete the required forms and write a narrative proposal describing your project. Submit the forms and proposal via email or secure communication to the appropriate address based on the region in which your project will take place:

    Africa: africaproposals@ned.org

    Asia: asiaproposals@ned.org

    Eurasia: eurasiaproposals@ned.org

    Europe: europeproposals@ned.org

    Latin America & the Caribbean: americalatina@ned.org

    Middle East & North Africa: menaproposals@ned.org

    Global (takes place in more than one country not in the same region): globalproposals@ned.org

    To apply by post:

    Send all of the application materials to

    National Endowment for Democracy:
    Attn: Grant Proposals
    1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
    Washington, DC 20004 USA

    To apply by fax:

    +1 (202) 378-9407

  • Need Help?

    If you need help submitting your proposal, you may contact NED staff who can provide assistance specific to your region:

  • Resources

  • Be Aware of Scams

    Scam Advisory: Recent reports indicate that individuals are posing as the NED on email and social media.  Read more. 

Learn About Where We Work

Explore Regions