James Madison Fellowship Program

About the James Madison Fellowship Program

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers up to $24,000 graduate fellowships to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. The Foundation offers two types of fellowships:
– 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 expected to complete graduate study within 2 academic years of full-time study.
– Senior Fellowships are awarded to outstanding current teachers who are required to complete graduate study within 5 calendar years of part-time study

Each Fellow is expected to pursue and complete a master’s degree in one of the following:
– 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.

A major component of the James Madison Fellowship Program is successful completion of the four-week Summer Institute on the Constitution, “The Foundations of American Constitutionalism,” held in Washington, D.C. Fellows attend the Institute after they have matriculated in a graduate program and commenced coursework.

Eligible applicants:

– must be a U.S. citizen
– 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

University endorsement required?

No

Citizenship requirement:

Must be U.S. citizen

The James Madison Fellowship Program application process:

Review the fellowship information on the website to determine whether this fellowship is a good fit for your academic and career goals.

Contact CFSA and your mentor(s) 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:

Center for Fellowship & Scholarship Advising  Email:  cfsa@syr.edu More Information:  http://www.jamesmadison.com/