James Madison Foundation Graduate Fellowships are awarded to outstanding college seniors and college graduates without teaching experience who intend to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government, or social studies in grades 7–12. Junior Fellows are expected to complete graduate study toward a qualifying master’s degree within two academic years of full-time study.
The maximum amount of each award is $24,000, prorated over the two-year period of study. Fellows normally receive less than these maximum amounts. Payments are made only for the actual costs of tuition, required fees, and books (as well as room and board if fellows are required to live away from their principal residences), and are made only for the minimum number of credits required for the award of the degree for which a Fellow is registered.
Each candidate’s proposed plan of graduate study should contain substantial coursework related to the U.S. Constitution, and would-be fellows are encouraged to choose institutions that offer courses that closely examine the origins and development of the constitution, the evolution of political theory and constitutional law, the effects of the constitution on society and culture in the U.S., or other such topics directly related to the constitution.
Candidates for Junior Fellowships must be U.S. citizens or nationals who will possess a bachelor’s degree by August in the year of application and who plan to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government, or social studies.
After receiving the master’s degree, each fellow must teach American history, American government, or social studies in grades 7–12 for one full year for each academic year of fellowship funding received.