Scholarships for Graduate students obtaining a Master of Arts in American history or political science or a Master of Arts in Teaching or a Master of Education.

The James Madison Fellowship program

Sponsor:The James Madison Fellowship Foundation

Type of Award: Fellowship

Application Deadline: February 15, 2000

Amount of Award: 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, 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.

Number of Awards per Year: Each year, the Foundation selects at least one James Madison Fellow, either junior or senior, from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and, considered as a single entity, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Funds permitting, more than one fellowship may be awarded in jurisdictions with larger populations.

Application Requirements/Description:

Who is eligible to apply for a fellowship?

U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who demonstrate a commitment to civic responsibilities and to professional and collegial activities and who qualify for admission with graduate standing at an accredited university that offers a qualifying master’s degree program are eligible to apply. Applicants must be committed to teaching American history, American government, and/or social studies full time in grades 7-12.

What is a "qualifying master’s degree program"?

Qualifying master’s degrees include a Master of Arts in American history or political science, a Master of Arts in Teaching in history or social studies, or a related master’s degree in education that permits a concentration in American history, American government, or social studies. The university chosen for graduate study must offer courses, graduate seminars or opportunities for independent study in topics directly related to the framing and history of the U.S. Constitution. A content degree such as a Master of Arts in American history or political science is preferred to a Master of Arts in Teaching or a Master of Education.

What are the selection criteria?

Applicants are evaluated on their demonstrated commitment to a career teaching American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary school level; demonstrated intent to pursue and complete a program of graduate study that emphasizes the Constitution and offers classroom instruction in that subject; demonstrated devotion to civic responsibility; demonstrated capacity for graduate study and performance as classroom teachers, and their proposed courses of graduate study. Applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence.

Why are there two types of fellowships (junior and senior) and what’s the difference between the two?

There are two types of fellowships to recognize the different challenges and circumstances between those without teaching experience and those who are currently teaching who seek to pursue graduate study. Junior fellowships are awarded to outstanding college seniors and college graduates without teaching experience who intend to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government and social studies in grades 7-12. Junior Fellows must complete graduate study within 2 academic years of full-time study. Senior fellowships are awarded to superior current teachers; applicants must be able to complete graduate study within 5 calendar years of part-time study.

Applications may be obtained by downloading and printing an application from this Internet location (see the home page); or from ACT by writing to the James Madison Fellowship Program, P.O. Box 4030, 2201 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52243-4030; calling 1-800-525-6928 (8:30am-4:30pm CST); by fax: 319-337-1204; or by e-mail: Recogprog@act.org.

CONTACT:

James Madison Fellowship Program
2201 North Dodge Street
PO Box 4030
Iowa City, IA 52243-4030

Phone: 800/525-6928 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time)

Fax: 319/337-1204

E-mail: Recogprog@act.org

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