How much funding does Democracy Award provide?

Funding amounts vary. Check the grant details for specifics.

When is the deadline for Democracy Award?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

How often is Democracy Award offered?

Democracy Award runs on an annual cycle.

Democracy Award

National Endowment for Democracy

Foundation Annual Human Rights Grants

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Tracked since: April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Overview

Democracy Award

Program Type: Annual recognition award (not a grant)

Overview: An annual award given by the NED Board of Directors to recognize the courageous and creative work of individuals and organizations that advance the cause of human rights and democracy around the world.

Recurrence: Annual (awarded yearly)

History:
The Democracy Award has been given annually since 1998, recognizing democracy champions globally across diverse causes including:

Heroes of Human Rights and Democracy

Press freedom advocates and journalists

Civil society movements

Anti-corruption activists

Tech trailblazers and digital rights defenders

Youth leaders in democracy movements

Recent Honorees:

2025: China Digital Times, Campaign for Uyghurs

2024: Regional Center for Human Rights (Ukraine), Tibet Action Institute, Waey Organization (Sudan)

2023: Afghan Independent Media, NetFreedom Pioneers, Women of Iran, Individuals imprisoned or killed for democratic activism

2022: Anti-Corruption Action Center, Center for Civil Liberties, Public Interest Journalism Lab, Ukrainian Volunteer Service

Award Symbol: The Democracy Award is a replica of the statue erected by student activists in Tiananmen Square, known as the "Goddess of Democracy."

Geographic Scope: Global

Contact:

Phone: (202) 378-9700

Email: INFO@NED.ORG

Address: 1201 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20004

What National Endowment for Democracy actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 65
Total given: $118.48M
Median grant: $157K
Range: $9,500–$33.26M

By dollars: District of Columbia 94%, New York 2%, California 1%. Top recipient cities: Washington, DC; New York, NY; Miami, FL.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
26% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

American Center for International Labor Solidarity · Washington, DC

Pluralism

$33.26M
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs · Washington, DC

Democratic governance & political parties

$28.65M
International Republican Institute · Washington, DC

Democratic governance & political parties

$23.69M
Center for International Private Enterprise · Washington, DC

Pluralism

$21.64M
China Digital Times Inc · Berkeley, CA

Education, communication, & culture

$1.03M