James Madison Fellowship Program
Description: 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 Foundation offers two types of fellowships.
The first is the Junior Fellowship, which is awarded to students who are about to
complete, or have completed their undergraduate course of study and plan to begin
graduate work on a full-time basis. Junior Fellows have two years to complete their
degree.
The second fellowship is the Senior Fellowship, which is awarded to teachers who wish
to undertake work for a graduate degree on a part-time basis through summer and evening
classes. Senior Fellows have up to five years to complete their degree.
Dollar value: The maximum amount of each award is $24,000, prorated over the individual period
of study, thus making the James Madison Fellowship the leading award for secondary
level teacher undertaking the study of the Constitution. Fellowship payments cover
the actual cost of tuition, required fees, books, and room and board, but cannot exceed
$12,000 per academic year. Normally, Fellows receive less than these maximum amounts.
Number of Fellowships: Each year, the Foundation selects at least one James Madison Fellow, either a junior
or a senior, from each state, the District of Columbia, The Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and, considered as a single entity, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa,
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Funds permitting, more than
one fellowship may be awarded in jurisdictions with larger populations.
Eligibility:
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national.
- Applicant must be a teacher, or planning to become a teacher, of American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary school level.
- If the applicant already has a graduate degree, they must wait at least three years from the time that degree was awarded before applying for a fellowship.
- Applicant must either currently 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.
Application Procedure: All applications and supporting documents must be submitted by March 1 through the
Madison online application process.
Deadline: March 1, 2013 (5 p.m. CST)
Contact:
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
2000 K Street, NW, Suite 303, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-653-8700
FAX: 202-653-6045
For general information, call 1-800-525-6928
or email madison@ act.org
Faculty Representative:
Name: Dr. Thomas S. Dicke, History, STRO 410
Phone: 417-836-5376
Email: TomDicke@MissouriState.edu
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to apply for a James Madison Memorial Fellowship?
U.S. citizens who demonstrate a commitment to civic responsibilities and to professional
and collegial activities and who qualify for admission with graduate standing at an
accredited U.S. university that offers a qualifying master's degree program are eligible
to apply. Applicants must be committed to teaching American history, American government,
and/or social studies full time in grades 7-12.Why are there two types of fellowships (junior and senior) and what's the difference
between the two?
There are two types of fellowships to recognize the different challenges and circumstances
between those without teaching experience and those currently teaching who seek to
pursue graduate study. 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 social studies in grades 7-12.
Junior Fellows must complete graduate study within 2 academic years of full-time study.
Senior fellowships are awarded to superior current teachers who must be able to complete
graduate study within 5 calendar years of part-time study.
What is a "qualifying master's degree program"?
The fellowships are intended exclusively for graduate study leading to a master's
degree. James Madison Fellows may attend any accredited institution of higher education
in the United States. Each individual will be expected to pursue and complete a master's
degree in one of the following (listed in order of the Foundation's 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
What are the selection criteria?
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.
What are a Fellow's obligations to the Foundation during his/her graduate education?
Each fellow must make satisfactory progress toward the degree and remain in good academic
standing and must complete the graduate degree study within the amount of time indicated
above. Junior Fellows may not be engaged in gainful employment that interferes with
the Fellow's studies. In addition, each Fellow is required to attend the Foundation's
Summer Institute during the term of fellowship. Fellows are expected to attend the
Summer Institute the summer after the year of their award and the commencement of
their first year of graduate study. The four-week Summer Institute is held in July
at Georgetown University.
What is a Fellow's obligation after graduate study is completed?
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 aid received under a fellowship, preferably in the state from which the recipient
won the fellowship. Teaching during the term of the fellowship study does not count
toward satisfaction of this obligation, nor does transfer into an administrative position
or to college or university teaching.