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Gaither Junior Fellows Program

Application period: October to January
Campus deadline: Sunday, November 16, 2025
National deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2026
NOTE: Applicants must submit completed applications by the campus deadline to be considered for a nomination slot. 

Eligibility requirements:

  • U.S. citizens, international students 
  • All applicants must be eligible to work in the US for a full 12 months from August 1 through July 31 following graduation (standard OPT only; STEM OPT not accepted)
  • Seniors and alumni who have graduated during the last academic year but have not started graduate studies

Award summary and conditions: The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Approximately 15 students will be hired to work as employees at Carnegie in Washington, D.C. on a full-time basis for 10-12 months. Gaither Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working within Carnegie's programs. They have the opportunity to conduct research, contribute to op-eds, papers, reports, and books, edit documents, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists, and government officials.

The 2025-2026 programs / projects include:

  • Democracy, Conflict, and Governance
  • American Statecraft
  • Nuclear Policy
  • Technology and International Affairs
  • Middle East
  • International Security and Political Economy [to work with the International Security and South Asia Programs]
  • Asia Program
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • Africa Program
  • Global Order and Institutions
  • Sustainability, Climate, and Geopolitics
  • Europe

Application process: Applicants must apply through the Director for Fellowships and Grants, Dr. Jess Hernandez, and up to two nominations may be forwarded. Application guides can be obtained directly from Dr. Hernandez (hernand2@whitman.edu). Required application materials must be uploaded and submitted by the campus deadline through the following Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Kpq6QPrQg_fkd3of5iRrqQNcR5x0Y2kEIGL03zVYzvY/edit

Required documents:

  • application form
  • unofficial transcript
  • resume / CV (up to 2 pages)
  • personal statement (up to 1 typed, double-spaced page)
  • substantive essay (up to 3 typed, double-spaced pages)  
  • letters of recommendation (2) --- both letters must be emailed directly to Jenny Stratton at strattjm@whitman.edu

Campus nominating official: Dr. Jess Hernandez, Director for Fellowships and Grants

Campus review process: Yes

Campus nomination required: Yes

National committee interview: Yes, the National Selection Committee chooses approximately 3-4 applicants per position for interviews.

https://carnegieendowment.org/programs-and-projects?lang=en

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