James Madison Graduate Fellowship

About the James Madison Graduate Fellowship

The Madison Foundation aims to “help our nation’s teachers improve and perfect their professional skills by gaining content knowledge of the Constitution.” Junior Fellowships, are awarded to college seniors and graduates who wish to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government, or social studies for full-time graduate study toward a master’s degree. Junior Fellows are eligible for up to two calendar years of support for the following degrees (listed in order of preference):
• Master of Arts (MA) in American history or in political science (also referred to as “government and politics” or as “government”);
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) concentrating on either American Constitutional history (in a history department) or American government, political institutions, and political theory (in a political science department);
• Master of Education (MEd) or the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education with a concentration in American history or American government, political institutions, and political theory.

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 funding received under a fellowship, preferably in the state from which the recipient won the fellowship.

Senior Fellowships are also available for current teachers to pursue graduate study.

Eligible applicants:

– are U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals
– are teachers, or plan to become teachers, of American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary school level (grades 7–12)
– possess a bachelor’s degree or plan to receive a bachelor’s degree no later than August 31 of the year in which they are applying
– must wait at least three years from the time that any previous graduate degree was awarded before applying for a James Madison Fellowship

University endorsement required?

No

Citizenship requirement:

Must be U.S. citizen

The James Madison Graduate Fellowship application process:

Review the fellowship information on the website to determine if it is a good fit for your career goals.

Contact CFSA and your mentor(s) in School of Education to discuss your plans to apply for the fellowship. Research appropriate graduate degree programs.

Applications are available online in June. Register to start your application

Application components include:
– a complete application
– a brief essay about your life experiences (personal statement)
– a brief essay about teaching techniques
– a brief essay about your awards and their significance
– a brief essay about your career goals
– an essay about teaching the Constitution
– transcript(s)
– three recommendation letters

The application deadline is March 1st.

Interested? Contact CFSA for more information on how to get started

Advising contact:

Jolynn Parker  Email:  jmpark02@syr.edu
More Information:  http://www.jamesmadison.com/