OURS National Scholarships

Gaither Fellowship

Next campus deadline: November 2024

Each year, through the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers approximately 14 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. Junior Fellows work as full-time, paid research assistants to Carnegie’s senior scholars and have the opportunity to conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony, and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists, and government officials.

Prospective applicants must contact Alicia Hayes, the campus representative for the Gaither Fellowship, to obtain the campus application instructions.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • be a U.S. citizen, or have attended a university in the U.S. [Note: All applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. for 10-12 months from September 1 through at least June 30 following graduation. Students on F-1 visas who are eligible to work in the U.S. for the full year may apply.]
  • be a graduating senior or have graduated during the last academic year. [Note: You are not eligible if you have started graduate studies, unless you completed a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree program.]

Selection Criteria

Applications are judged on the quality of the written essay, related academic study and/or work experience, grades, recommendations, and personal interviews. Applicants should have completed a significant amount of coursework related to their discipline of interest. Language and other skills may also be required for certain assignments.

Campus Application Requirements

  • Campus application form (available in October)
  • Résumé (1–2 pages).
  • Two recommendation letters
  • Undergraduate transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
  • Op ed–style essay (1-3 pages, double-spaced) in response to a program-specific question intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written expression.
  • If the project to which you are applying recommends certain levels of language proficiency or quantitative skills, you need to submit evidence that demonstrates that you meet those levels.

For more information about this opportunity, visit the Gaither Fellowship website (opens external site).