IRI McCain Fellowship for Freedom (3rd Cohort)

About the Fellowship

• IRI’s McCain Fellowship encourages peer-to-peer learning, provides targeted training, and cultivates a generation of political changemakers who are building more inclusive, transparent, and resilient democracies powered by free markets. Through a virtual technical assistance program, Fellows will have access to a global network of technical experts covering a range of issues.
• Each year, the Fellowship culminates in an Exchange where Fellows participate in discussions designed to cultivate their skills and networks to create positive change and support democratic resiliency. In the 2023 exchange, key sessions included workshops on national and local governance; meetings with business and tech leaders, including representatives from Amazon Web Services, Google and the Business Roundtable; and learning sessions on democratic practices, campaign management, and policymaking with leaders such as Ambassador Mark Green of the Wilson Center, who served as IRI President under Sen. McCain’s Chairmanship.

Fellowship Scope of Work

• McCain Fellows will be required to actively participate in a several-month program, including, but not limited to, the components outlined below:
  • Attend virtual sessions aimed at providing targeted assistance with skills related to policymaking, communication and advocacy.
  • Attend an in-person program in the United States to meet with and learn from leaders in the governmental, non-governmental and private sectors. The program will take place in Washington, D.C. and be timed based on the selected cohort’s availability.
  • Use the network gained and lessons learned from participating in the program to implement advocacy initiatives in the fellow’s community as a young, political changemaker.
  • Engage with other fellows, including from the previous iterations of the MFF program, through virtual networking sessions and platforms.

Nomination

• All applicants are required to submit a letter of nomination for their participation in the McCain Fellowship for Freedom. The nominator should be someone you know well in a professional context who can speak to your qualifications for the fellowship.
• Specific points to highlight in the nomination letter:
  • How applicant has promoted democratic resiliency and free market principles within their community;
  • How the applicant has demonstrated their leadership capacity and protentional to be a political changemaker within their community; and
  • How the applicant is uniquely positioned to be an exceptional McCain Fellow and how will the fellowship benefit their development as a political changemaker.
• The nomination letter should be no more than one page and written in English.

Criteria for Selection

• McCain Fellows are rising political leaders between the ages of 21 and 40 who are committed to the promotion of political and economic freedom in their countries. They have a proven track record of leadership and accomplishment in challenging environments. They embody the potential for transformational impact in their institutions, communities and countries. Through this program, these emerging leaders will be brought into IRI’s global network across more than 100 countries, leveraging their training and contacts to catalyze their contributions to free societies.
• IRI will select up to eight young leaders who represent different regions, sectors and gender identities based on the following criteria:
  • Between the ages of 21 and 40;
  • Not a U.S. citizen;
  • Proficient in English;
  • Possesses robust experience in politics, government and/or private sector, with a preference for individuals with cross-sectoral experience;
  • Demonstrates a proven history of and passion for advocating for democratic and free market reform;
  • Maintains a position of authority and leadership within their current career and community.

For more information, visit International Republican Institute.