James C. Gaither Junior Fellowship

Summary

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers approximately 15 one-year fellowships to graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year who desire careers in international affairs. James C. Gaither Junior Fellows work as full-time paid research assistants to Carnegie’s senior scholars at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC.

Learn more about the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program including eligibility requirements, placement details, and previous award winners.

In selecting fellows, the Carnegie Endowment looks for the following:

• Ability to offer a well-structured, compelling, and logical argument on a complex topic
• Demonstration of one's ability to adopt a think-tank writing style (e.g., direct, objective, succinct, main points are easy to identify & come early in the piece, etc.)
• Academic study or work experience related to the program being applied for
• Strong academic performance
• Letters of recommendation speak clearly to the applicant’s qualifications and ability to succeed in the program they are applying to

Campus Nomination Process

Overview: Interested students must email the Associate Director of Fellowships after October 1 to request access to the application materials distributed by Carnegie.

By the campus deadline of November 8, 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern, applicants must upload the following components to the campus Gaither application Box folder:

• A completed application form
• A resume / C.V. (1-2 pages)
• A personal statement of up to two pages, double-spaced, on why you want to be a Junior Fellow, what you hope to learn, how you are prepared to be a research assistant, and why you are applying to a particular program/project.
• A writing sample of three to five pages, double spaced, either a full-length piece or excerpt from a larger piece, with in-text citations (either footnotes / endnotes / or parentheticals).
• A brief explanation, of no more than half of one page, on why you selected this sample. Choose a sample that is relevant to the program / project you are applying for.
• Two letters of recommendations
  • Note: Recommendations should be signed and written on letterhead. Applicants must arrange for their recommenders to upload letters to the Gaither application Box folder by the campus deadline
• An unofficial transcript that includes fall course registration

Application Format: The application is completed entirely on PDF and Word documents that are uploaded to to the Gaither box folder.

Deadlines and Timeline: 

• October: Interested applicants should email the Associate Director of Fellowships to request the application materials distributed by Carnegie.
• November 8, 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern: Campus Deadline. By this date the application materials outlined above must be uploaded to W&M's Gaither application Box folder.
• Mid-November through mid-December: Applications are reviewed and campus committee interviews take place.
• Mid-January 2027, TBD: Final Submission Deadline. Applicants whose materials have been endorsed by the campus committee will be able to edit their applications before submitting them in time to meet Gaither's national deadline.
• Mid-January 2027, TBD: National Deadline for the University.

Endorsements: William & Mary can endorse a maximum of two students for the Gaither Junior Fellows Program. 

National Application Process

The Gaither national deadline is Mid-January 2027, TBD. After the final submission deadline, the University will review your materials to ensure a complete application by the national deadline.