Gaither Junior Fellows Program
Campus deadline: Sunday, November 16, 2025
IMPORTANT NOTE: Each year, Whitman College may select up to two nominees for the Gaither Jr. Fellows program. To be considered for a college nomination, interested applicants are required to submit their application via this Google Form by the campus deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
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 list of 2026-27 programs and projects will be announced in mid-October 2025
Last year's programs were:
- 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: Whitman College may select up to two nominees for the Gaither Jr. Fellows program. Application guides can be obtained directly from Dr. Jess Hernandez, Director for Fellowships and Grants at 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/1RfeuR_3V8ZUs08TsQbCSzsQNvaWwOTzTMZBE8cn4N50/preview
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)
- names and contact information for two (2) recommenders
All applicants will be notified via email if they've received a nomination slot by early December 2025. Nominees will work with the Fellowships and Grants team to refine their application materials by the national deadline (Thursday, January 15, 2026).
Campus nominating official: Dr. Jess Hernandez, Director for Fellowships and Grants (hernand2@whitman.edu)
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.