Submissions open for Sarajevo Fellowship Program

Deadline: 16 March 2025

The Sarajevo Fellowship is an intensive, interdisciplinary program designed to critically examine Bosnian-Herzegovinian society that brings together young leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe and the United States, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage with accomplished professionals who have made significant contributions in various fields, including academia, journalism, activism, business, and diplomacy.

The Sarajevo Fellowship program will provide fellows with an immersive experience that blends interactive workshops, expert-led lectures, and study visits to sites of historical and political significance.

Engaging directly with policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives, fellows will explore critical contemporary issues shaping Bosnia and Herzegovina today. They will examine the effects of brain drain and the role of the diaspora, considering how migration impacts economic and social development and how diaspora expertise can contribute to progress.

The program will also delve into Bosnia’s geopolitical position, assessing foreign policy challenges, regional cooperation, and global political influences. Economic discussions will focus on the role of the international community and diaspora investments in fostering sustainable development and entrepreneurship.

Duration

A virtual learning phase (July 9-15, 2025): Prior to the in-person segment, fellows will participate in a series of online discussions led by Alumni and Senior Fellows, as well as external experts.
Phase 2: In-Person Fellowship in Sarajevo (July 17-31, 2025): The Sarajevo residency will offer fellows an immersive experience, combining interactive workshops, expert-led lectures, and study visits to historically and politically significant sites and institutions allowing them to witness firsthand the complexities of post-conflict reconstruction, memory politics, and reconciliation efforts.
Phase 3: NED Action Week – Civic Engagement and Advocacy (July 26-31, 2025): The program will culminate in the NED Action Week, during which fellows will develop and implement small-scale civic initiatives addressing critical societal issues.

Eligibility Criteria

Please be aware of their eligibility criteria:
- You speak English fluently (all programs are conducted in English);
- You must fit one of the below:
  - You are a current student in a college or university located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland or USA.
  - You graduated no longer than two years ago from a college or university in any of the above mentioned countries.
  - You grew up in or are a citizen or resident of any of the above-mentioned countries and study at or recently graduated from a college or university in any country of the world.

Application Requirements