James Madison Graduate Fellowship Program*Gustavus Fellowships Office

Initial Gustavus Deadline: January 28, 2010 (noon)
Tentative Campus Interview: N/A
Gustavus Final Deadline: February 24, 2010 (noon)
Web site: www.jamesmadison.com
Campus Contact: Alisa Rosenthal, Fellowships Coordinator

Description

Congress established the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation in 1986 for the purpose of improving teaching about the United States Constitution in secondary schools. The Foundation offers Junior and Senior Fellowships. Junior Fellowships are awarded to students who are about to complete, or have recently 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. Senior Fellowships are awarded to experienced 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.

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 entering the James Madison Fellowship Program 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.

The Fellow’s proposed plan of graduate study should contain at least 12 semester credits in constitutional coursework. Fellows are encouraged to choose institutions that offer courses that closely examine the origins and development of the U.S. Constitution, the evolution of political theory and constitutional law, the effects of the Constitution on society and culture in the United States, or other such topics directly related to the Constitution.

Benefits

The maximum amount of each award is $24,000, prorated over the period of study. In no case shall the award exceed $12,000 for one academic year of study. Normally, Fellows receive less than these maximum amounts. Payments are made only for the actual costs of tuition, required fees, books, and room and board, and are made only for the minimum number of credits required for the award of the degree for which a Fellow is registered.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Applicants must 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).
• Applicants who already have a graduate degree must wait at least three years from the time that degree was awarded before applying for a Fellowship.
• Applicants must either currently possess a bachelor’s degree, or plan to receive a bachelor’s degree no later then August 31 of the year in which you are applying.
• See “More about the Selection Process” below for information about the selection criteria.

Gustavus’ Internal Selection Process

Since Gustavus is only allowed to nominate two students annually for the James Madison Graduate Fellowship Program, the Fellowships Advisory Committee will review the materials listed below to select Gustavus’ two nominees. Please bring five collated packets of the following materials to the Gustavus Fellowships Office by the “Initial Gustavus Deadline” (see above):

• A printout of a complete online James Madison Graduate Fellowship Program application, except for the Recommendations section. Do not list recommenders or their email addresses in the online application until after you have been named a Gustavus nominee.
• Current resume
• Unofficial transcript (print off of WebAdvisor)
• Two or three letters of recommendation (If desired, recommenders may send their letters directly to the Gustavus Fellowships Office by the “Gustavus Deadline.”)

Materials for Final Consideration

If you receive Gustavus’ nomination, it is your responsibility to continue revising and collecting your materials. By the FINAL GUSTAVUS DEADLINE, a Gustavus nominee must electronically submit a completed, online James Madison Fellowship Application form, which includes:

• Information about the applicant
• A constitutional essay
• Two or three letters of recommendation. The applicant will enter the name and email addresses of two or three recommenders. Once the email addresses have been entered, the online system will automatically generate an email to the recommender listed within 24 hours. The recommender’s email will contain a URL and information for completing the online recommendation. All recommendations must be completed online by the FINAL GUSTAVUS DEADLINE in order for the application to be considered.
• Provide an original copy of all official transcripts that pertain to the nominee’s undergraduate degree to the Gustavus Fellowships Office. If the nominee has already started a master’s degree program, he must also include his most recent transcript from that institution. All transcripts must indicate the courses taken and grades awarded. The Gustavus Fellowships Office will submit these items to the Foundation on the nominee’s behalf.

More about the Selection Process

Applications will be considered and evaluated by an independent Fellow Selection Committee, which will then recommend the most outstanding applicants to the Foundation. The Selection Committee will consider the following:

• A serious commitment to a career in teaching American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary level.
• The intent to pursue a program of graduate study that emphasizes the Constitution and offers classroom instruction in that subject.
• Civic mindedness and participation in community activities or organizations. For example, those activities you have participated in that foster democratic values and citizenship — internships, political campaigns, scouting, student government, etc.
• The approximately 600-word essay in which you explain why you believe the study of the Constitution is an essential part of secondary school education.
• Past academic achievement.
• Evaluations from faculty, supervisors, colleagues, or other professional persons who can attest to your intellect, professional abilities or potential, and overall character for this fellowship.

Please note that applicants are responsible for all photocopying needed for the internal selection process and as required by the foundation.