James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program

Megan Maxwell, CLA '19, Temple's First Gaither Junior Fellow

Photo by Ray S. Brandenberg

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a unique global network of policy research centers in Russia, China, Europe, the Middle East, India, and the United States. Their mission is to advance the cause of peace through analysis and development of fresh policy ideas and direct engagement and collaboration with decision-makers in government, business and civil society. Their centers bring multiple national viewpoints to bilateral, regional and global issues. Each year through the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers approximately 11-13 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. They are selected from a pool of nominees from close to 400 participating colleges.

Gaither Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working on Carnegie Endowment's projects. 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.

Applicants select one of the following primary areas*: Democracy, U.S. Foreign Policy, Nuclear Policy, Technology, Energy and Climate, Middle East, South Asia, Asia Program (with separate projects on China, Japan, and Economics), Russia/Eurasia, and Africa. *Note these may change from year to year.

Institutional Nomination

The Gaither Junior Fellows program does not accept direct applications; students must be nominated by Temple University.  Please see below for application instructions for nomination.

Campus Deadline

November 15 annually

National Deadlines

January 15 annually

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants must be graduating seniors or students who have graduated during the last academic year. No one who has started graduate studies is eligible for consideration (except in cases where the student has completed a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree program).

Students should have completed a significant amount of course work related to their discipline of interest. Language and other skills may also be required for certain assignments. The selection process for the program is very competitive. Accordingly, applicants should be of high academic quality.

Campus Application Instructions and Checklist

The Carnegie Endowment forwards application materials in late September to institutional representatives (at Temple University, Barbara Gorka). Interested applicants should plan to meet with the campus representative well in advance of the campus deadline.

Submit the following documents to Fellowships Advising at [click-for-email] or [click-for-email] by November 15.

1. Campus Waiver and Agreement

Complete the online agreement. (Temple alumni without an active TU ID should request a paper version from [click-for-email] or [click-for-email].)

2. Two Letters of Recommendation

Writers should send letters of recommendation to Barbara Gorka ([click-for-email]) as a PDF by November 15. These letters can come from anyone you feel can best speak to your abilities as a potential Gaither Junior Fellow, and should be addressed to the Gaither Junior Fellows Selection Committee. You may want to send these Temple letter-writing guidelines to your references.

3. Resume/CV

Submit your Resume/CV (1-2 pages)

4. Transcripts

Submit an official copy of your Temple transcript as a PDF. If you earned transfer credit for work at a previous institution, summer school, or study abroad (on a non-Temple program), provide an official transcript as a PDF as well.

5. Gaither Junior Fellows Program Application

The application is not available on the Gaither Junior Fellows Program website. Candidates must speak to the institutional representative (Barbara Gorka, [click-for-email]) to receive the updated form. Application forms are usually made available to the institutional representative by late September.

6. Essay 1

One page or less, double-spaced on why you want to become a junior fellow.

7. Essay 2

No more than three-typed pages, double-spaced on one of the application topics. The topics are intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written expression. The essays should be analytical thought pieces, not research papers. Students should submit an essay related to their primary research program interests. Essay topics are not available on the Gaither Junior Fellows Program website. Candidates must speak to the institutional representative (Barbara Gorka, [click-for-email]) to receive the updated essay topics. Topics are usually made available by late September.

Campus Contact

Barbara Gorka

Director, Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising

Email: [click-for-email]
Phone: 215-204-0708

Visit the Carnegie Gaither website

Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising