The fellowships are intended exclusively for graduate study leading to a master’s degree. Awards are up to $24,000 and the deadline is in March.
James Madison Fellows may attend any accredited institution of higher education in the United States. Each Fellow will be expected to pursue and complete a master’s degree in one of the following (listed in order of the Foundation’s preference):
1. Master of Arts (MA) in American history, political science, or government
2. 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)
3. 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
Fellowship applicants compete only against other applicants from the state of their legal residence. To be eligible to apply for a fellowship, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a teacher or plan to become a teacher, of American history, American government, or civics classes where you will teach topics on the Constitution 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 you are applying
- Demonstrate intent to pursue and complete a program of graduate study that emphasizes the Constitution and offers instruction in that subject
- Demonstrate devotion to civic responsibility
- Demonstrate the capacity for study and performance as classroom teachers
Applicants will be evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors.
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