Each year the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) makes direct grants to hundreds of nongovernmental organizations worldwide working to advance democratic goals and strengthen democratic institutions. NED funds only nongovernmental organizations, which may include civic organizations, associations, independent media, and other similar organizations.

NED is interested in proposals from local, independent organizations for nonpartisan programs that seek to:

• Promote and defend human rights and the rule of law
• Support freedom of information and independent media
• Strengthen democratic ideas and values
• Promote accountability and transparency
• Strengthen civil society organizations
• Strengthen democratic political processes and institutions
• Promote civic education
• Support democratic conflict resolution
• Promote freedom of association
• Strengthen a broad-based market economy

All proposed projects must be consistent with NED’s general purposes as outlined in the NED Statement of Principles and Objectives.

Upcoming Board of Directors meeting dates and proposal submission deadlines are as follows: