The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers $24,000 James Madison Graduate Fellowships to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. Fellowship applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence. Generally, one Fellowship per state is awarded each year.

The Foundation offers two types of fellowships:

• Junior 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 civics in grades 7-12. Junior Fellows are expected to complete graduate study within two 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.

Fellowship applicants compete only against other applicants from the states 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 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 you are applying.

• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen

The Foundation awards James Madison Fellowships to college seniors and college graduates without teaching experience (Junior Fellows) and to experienced secondary school teachers in grades 7-12 (Senior Fellows) who will normally enroll respectively in full-time and part-time graduate study. Students must apply directly to the Madison Foundation.

Each applicant must submit the following information directly to the Madison Foundation via their online application:

1. a statement of personal information,
2. a statement about the applicant's educational plans,
3. an essay on the relevance of the Constitution on students and the nation,
4. the applicant's proposed course of study,
5. letters of recommendation, and
6. the most recent copy of the applicant's official college transcript.

Applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence. Applicants are evaluated on their demonstrated commitment to a career teaching American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary school level; demonstrated intent to pursue and complete a program of graduate study that emphasizes the Constitution and offers instruction in that subject; demonstrated devotion to civic responsibility; demonstrated capacity for study and performance as classroom teachers, and their proposed courses of graduate study. Applicants will be evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors.

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 for the purpose of improving teaching about the United States Constitution in secondary schools. The Foundation is an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the federal government. Funding for the Foundation’s programs comes from Congress and generous contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The Foundation has a Board of Trustees and its daily operations are directed by a president and a small staff. The Foundation’s office is located in Washington, D.C.

The James Madison Fellowships were created to honor Madison's legacy and Madisonian principles by providing support for graduate study that focuses on the Constitution—its history and contemporary relevance to the practices and policies of democratic government. The benefits of the fellowship program are manifold and lasting. Fellowship recipients have a unique opportunity to strengthen their research, writing, and analytical skills. In the process they form professional ties that can significantly influence their career aspirations. Fellows gain a deeper understanding of the principles of constitutional government which they in turn transmit to their students. In this way the James Madison Fellowships ensure that the spirit and practical wisdom of the Constitution will guide the actions of future generations of American citizens.

Professional Teaching Obligation

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.

Foundation staff address:
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
1613 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

For general information:
Call 800-525-6928 or Email Us

Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards
171 Mary Gates Hall
Box 352803
Seattle, WA 98195-2803
Phone: 206-543-4282206-543-4282
Fax: 206-616-4389
E-mail: scholarq@u.washington.edu