The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program is administered by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Each year, 15 paid, one-year fellowships are awarded to qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year.
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows work as research assistants at Carnegie in Washington, D.C. to scholars working in Carnegie programs, such as by co-authoring journal articles and policy papers, participating in meetings with high-level officials, contributing to congressional testimony, and organizing briefings attended by scholars, journalists, and government officials.
Criteria
Applications are judged on the following:
- Quality of the written essay
- Related academic study and/or work experience, grades
- Recommendations
- Personal interviews
Preference is given to those with skills that match current projects such as additional language proficiency, data analysis skills, writing skills and research skills.
Eligibility
Prospective fellows must be graduating seniors or students who have graduated during the last academic year. Students who have started graduate studies are ineligible for consideration (except in cases where the student has completed a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree program).
Application Process
The application cycle for James C. Gaither Fellows receiving their fellowship in academic year 2025-2026 opens in Fall 2024 to ensure that students have sufficient support from the Scholarships & Fellowships Office and adequate time to put together a thorough application.
In Fall, the Scholarship & Fellowships Office hosts information sessions to share details about this fellowship opportunity.
Prospective applicants should use the fall semester to gather and complete their application materials. It is highly recommended that applicants revisit and revise them frequently, ensuring that their final application is a reflection of their best efforts.
After the internal campus deadline has passed, the Scholarship & Fellowships Office forwards completed applications to a faculty selection committee for review and consideration. Select candidates are then invited to an interview with the committee, after which the committee recommends particular students to receive a formal University nomination.
Students who are chosen for University endorsement will continue to work with the Scholarship and Fellowships Office to gather and finalize the application materials due for the national deadline.
Endorsed candidates shall remain in communication with the Scholarship & Fellowships Office and provide application status updates. The Scholarships & Fellowships Office is committed to providing assistance and support throughout each student’s fellowship journey.
Click here for a detailed application timeline.
Application Requirements
Applications for the James C. Gaither Fellows Program will require University endorsement. This means that students will not be allowed to submit their application directly to the agency that handles the James C. Gaither Fellows Program, but rather via the University with a formal nomination on their behalf. It is imperative that candidates work closely with the Fellowship Advisor to ensure that all application deadlines and requirements are met. Contact information may be found here.
For tips on putting together the various components of the application, please visit the Application Resources page.
The internal campus application consists of:
- Campus Application Cover Sheet
- Carnegie Endowment James C. Gaither Fellows Application
Candidates must inform UHM SFO of their intent to apply so that we may provide students with access to the online application. - Personal Statement
No longer than one page on why the candidate would like to be a Gaither Fellow. - Résumé/CV/List of Activities
List institutions attended, awards/recognition, activities, and work experience. - 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
Students may submit unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended. A STAR report will suffice for all coursework taken within the UH system. - Essay
Three or fewer pages on candidate’s primary research program interest, as designated by the Carnegie Endowment. The essay is intended to be an analytical thought piece versus research paper and should demonstrate applicant’s skills in analysis, logic, and written expression. - Campus Interview
Select candidates will be invited for an interview with the faculty review committee; candidates will be informed if advancing to the interview stage via email.
The UH Mānoa campus deadline to apply is 4:00pm HST on November 29, 2024.
If selected for University endorsement, the following will need to be submitted:
- Revised James C. Gaither Fellows Program Application
- Revised Personal Statement
- Revised Résumé/CV/List of Activities
- Revised Essay
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (same as the ones already submitted)
- Unofficial Transcripts
- University Endorsement
Nominated candidates must submit their final application to the UH Mānoa Scholarships & Fellowships Office by 4:00pm HST on January 10, 2025. Endorsed applications must be received by the Udall Foundation by January 15, 2025.
Documents/Resources
The Application Resources page houses general application documents applicable to all fellowships as well as the following supplemental materials for this specific fellowship:
Carnegie Endowment James C. Gaither Fellows Program Application Checklist
Carnegie Endowment James C. Gaither Fellows Program Cover Sheet – Campus Application
Application Timeline
| Fall 2024 | Campus Announcement for Open Applications |
| October 16, 2024 | Info Session, 1:30-2:20pm, via Zoom (RSVP via this GoogleForm) |
| October 17, 2024 | Info Session, 1:30-2:20pm, via Zoom (RSVP via this GoogleForm) |
| late Nov 2024 | Deadline for Internal Campus Application, 4:00pm |
| Dec 2024 | Campus Interview for Select Candidates |
| late Dec 2024 | All Applicants Notified of Status |
| early Jan 2025 | Deadline for Final Application for Endorsed Candidates |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Deadline to Submit Applications to Carnegie Foundation for International Peace |
| late Feb – Mar 2025 | Finalist Interviews |
| end Mar 2025 | Gaither Fellows Selected and Notified |
| Sep 1, 2025 | Gaither Fellows Begin One-Year Assignment |