The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a private, nonprofit foundation based in the United States provides grants to support NGO projects around the world for the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions. The foundation was founded in 1983 and it provides more than 1000 grants per year to NGOs promoting democracy in more than 90 countries. NED also offers fellowships and undertakes research and international exchange for democratic activists, human rights advocates, journalists, professors and researchers.
NED is now accepting grant applications from NGOs working around the world working for the promotion and advancement of human rights, an independent media, the rule of law and other democratic goals. Activist organizations in transitional authoritarian countries working to promote democracy, liberalization and the protection of human rights can also seek financial support from NED through its grants program.
Funding decisions are made on a quarterly basis by the NED Board of Directors. In addition to evaluating how a program fits within the Endowment’s overall priorities, the Board considers factors such as the urgency of a program, its relevance to specific needs and conditions in a particular country, and the democratic commitment and experience of the applicant.
The proposal and budget guidelines are available at NED website to develop and submit the proposals. As the next meeting of the NED Board of Directors is scheduled for 1 April 2011, the deadline set to accept proposals this year is 21 January 2011. For more information, visit this link.
