Applications will be accepted until October 24
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2025) – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) is now accepting applications for its American Democracy & Technology Fellowship.
Created with the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, this one-year fellowship seeks to advance thought leadership and policy advocacy via a specific proposed project to engage policymakers, national security leaders, analysts, technologists, and others by translating big ideas to transform democracy and technology in America.
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.
Fellows will be awarded grants of $10,000-25,000 in support of these efforts.
Interested candidates must submit a proposal of no more than two pages, designed to achieve one or ideally more of these objectives:
- Expanded research and policy recommendations on how technology, particularly AI, can improve American democracy.
- Deepened engagement with stakeholders to promote policies that support U.S. democracy and national security and protect human rights in the digital age.
- Enhanced public awareness and understanding of the risks and opportunities presented by technology in our democracy, including those brought by manipulated information.
- More resilient and more effective democratic institutions and election infrastructure in support of a democracy for and by the people.
The fellows will work with the McCain Institute’s American Democracy team to advance projects in the service of ASU’s charter as well as the McCain Institute’s mission to foster democracy, human rights, and character-driven leadership.
For more information on how to apply, click HERE.
Learn more about the McCain Institute’s Democracy Programs HERE.