Democracy, Dialogue, and Public Discourse: SNF Agora Institute Invites Visiting Fellows for 2026–2027

​The SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University is accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Visiting Fellows program, a year-long, project-based fellowship for practitioners and scholars from fields such as civil society, government, media, academia, industry, and the arts who are working to strengthen democracy. The non-residential program supports projects aligned with the institute’s mission of advancing civic engagement and inclusive, informed dialogue, with particular interest in proposals focused on democracy and the media and the changing forces shaping public discourse. Approximately ten fellows are selected based on project relevance, leadership capacity, collaborative openness, and contribution to a diverse cohort, and receive modest stipends (typically up to $25,000), shared office space, research and administrative support, and access to Johns Hopkins resources. Fellows are expected to spend time on the Baltimore campus participating in seminars, workshops, debates, and conferences, with applications due March 2, 2026, and selections announced in late April.

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The SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University has opened applications for its 2026-2027 Visiting Fellows program, recruiting practitioners and scholars from diverse sectors, including civil society, government, industry, media, academia, and the arts, to join the institute for year-long project-based fellowships. The program supports the institute's mission of strengthening global democracy through powerful civic engagement and informed, inclusive dialogue by integrating broader perspectives into faculty research, student engagement, and public programming. Applications are due March 2, 2026, with selections expected by late April. While non-residential, fellows are expected to spend time on the Baltimore campus to complete their projects and participate in regular workshops, seminars, and signature institute programs, including debates and conferences. The institute particularly welcomes proposals addressing democracy and the media, exploring how evolving media forms, including journalism, influencers, and informal media, shape democratic participation, free speech, and journalistic standards amid structural and financial pressures.

The fellowship provides modest stipends rarely exceeding $25,000 annually, prorated based on time spent with the institute and housing needs, along with shared office space, administrative and marketing support, research assistance from students when available, and access to Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries resources. Approximately ten fellows are selected each cycle based on project relevance to SNF Agora's mission and focus areas, capacity to organize and lead proposed activities while participating in institute programming, openness to collaboration with fellows and the broader JHU community, and contribution to cohort coherence across expertise and backgrounds. The institute commits to selecting fellows without regard for political preference or educational background, supporting diversity across ideologies and disciplines. Fellowship projects might include partnering with faculty on research, developing communities of practice, designing symposia or public engagement events, creating strategic content opportunities, or teaching courses to students and the wider university community.

For practitioners working at intersections of democracy, dialogue, civic engagement, and media evolution, this fellowship offers a rare opportunity to pursue sustained inquiry while connecting with Johns Hopkins faculty expertise and a national network of democracy scholars and practitioners. The institute's focus on communication and open dialogue as core values creates programming designed around collaborative learning and cross-sector exchange. Visiting Fellows join a growing community committed to strengthening democratic institutions and culture through evidence-based research and practical innovation. The Artist in Residence designation offers a particular opportunity for creative practitioners to engage democratic themes through performance, visual arts, or other creative media.

Learn more about the SNF Agora Visiting Fellows program and apply at https://snfagora.jhu.edu/fellowships-grants/visiting-fellows/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email.