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James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program

Deadline NYU internal deadline - November 13, 2017
Final deadline - January 15, 2018
Eligibility seniors and alumni who graduated during the past academic year and have not started graduate school
Duration August 1 through July 31
Website http://carnegieendowment.org/
Contact scholarships@nyu.edu

Candidate must

  • be eligible to work in the United States for twelve months
  • be a graduating senior or an alumnus who graduated during the past academic year and has not begun graduate school

Outline

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program provides a year-long fellowship at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C. Junior Fellows are assigned to work with Carnegie’s experts on projects relating to the current work of the foundation. Below are the projects for 2018-2019. Please pay close attention to the project details found in the application.

Projects for 2018-2019

Democracy and Rule of Law
U.S. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
Nuclear Policy
Cyber Policy Initiative
Energy and Climate
Middle East Studies
South Asian Studies
China Studies (Asia Program)
Japan Studies (Asia Program)
Economics (Asia Program)
Russian/Eurasian Studies
Geoeconomics and Strategy

Selection Criteria

Members of the classes of 2017 and 2018 are eligible to apply, as long as they have not yet begun graduate studies. International students may apply as long as they are eligible to work in the USA for a full year following graduation (from August 1 through July 31), which typically means currently being in the USA on an F-1 visa. The average Junior Fellow has a minimum of a 3.8 GPA and significant coursework in international relations, history, political science, economics, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese. International experience is preferred, as are candidates who plan a career related to international relations. Previous work as a research assistant (especially in a field related to international relations) is also a great help but is not required.

According to the Carnegie website, “Applications are judged on the quality of the written essay, related academic study and/or work experience, grades, recommendations, and personal interviews.” The three-page essay is a key factor in being invited to an interview (assuming good grades and a demonstrated interest in international relations), and the interview is key to obtaining the Fellowship.

NYU Endorsement Process

NYU as a whole (including NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai) many nominate two applicants for this fellowship. To apply for nomination, please send the following items, in this order, as a single PDF document in one email to nyu.globalawards@nyu.edu with subject line "NYU CARNEGIE NOMINATION APPLICATION" by 5:00pm Eastern on Monday, November 13.  The application form and essay prompts are available in this PDF.

  • A completed James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program application form.
    A one-page, double-spaced essay explaining why you would like to become a Junior Fellow.
  • A one- or two-page resume, including telephone number, address, extracurricular activities, and work experience.
  • An official copy of your transcript.
  • An essay of no more than three typewritten, double-spaced pages on a topic provided by the Carnegie Endowment. These topics are intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written expression. The essays should be thought pieces, not research papers. You must respond to the question pertaining to the program to which you are applying, although the Carnegie Endowment may ultimately select an applicant for a program outside of his or her designated primary interest or make an assignment to more than one program.
  • A completed and signed NYU Global Awards Nomination Permission Form and Waiver .  Because this document requires a signature, please scan your completed document.
  • Additionally, you must have two letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf by the deadline.  These letters should be emailed directly to nyu.globalawards@nyu.edu by the November 13 deadline, and may be addressed to the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program Selection Committee.

Our nominating committee will interview selected applicants in December and announce our two nominees shortly thereafter. Final applications are due to the Carnegie Endowment in mid-January. Candidates must apply through NYU and may not apply independently. Candidates should not contact the Carnegie Endowment directly.

Ethical Guidelines

All applicants are expected to adhere to these ethical guidelines.

Advice from Carnegie Junior Fellowship Finalist

Tessa Beltri Carelli (finalist, 2015): 

Advice: The best piece of advice I received while applying for these opportunities was to focus on the process. My mentor, Doug Cutchins kept repeating that it was "all about the process." At the end of the journey I had to be able to reflect on what I had learned or achieved even if I did not receive the grant. I am very grateful for his advice because looking back I am able to see how applying for the Fulbright or the Carnegie led me to realize what I really wanted to be doing after graduation. Had I not written those personal statements, reached out to various people, and expanded my horizons by searching for new opportunities, I do not believe I would have found what I really wanted to do after graduation as quickly as I did.