James Madison Fellowship

The James Madison Fellowship is a highly competitive award for U.S. citizen educators and future educators who are committed to teaching American history, American government, or civics at the secondary (grades 7-12) level, especially with a focus on the U.S. Constitution and its foundational ideas. The award provides funding for graduate study in history or a related field. After completion of the program, fellows will teach American history, American government, or civics (with Constitutional content) in grades 7-12 for one full academic year for each year of funding received.

This award does not require university endorsement. However, we strongly recommend that you work closely with NCA as you prepare your application.

Deadlines

Application Opens: June 1, 2025

National Deadline: March 1, 2026

The maximum amount of each award is $24,000, prorated over the period of study, and in no case shall the award exceed $12,000 for one academic year of study. Payments are made only for the actual costs of tuition, required fees, and books (as well as room and board if required to live away from your principal residence), and are made only for the minimum number of credits required for the award of the degree for which a Fellow is registered. 

The Foundation offers two types of Fellowships:

  • 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, or civics classes where you will teach topics on the Constitution in grades 7-12. Junior Fellows are expected to complete graduate study within two academic years of full-time study.
  • Senior Fellowships are awarded to outstanding former or current teachers who are required to complete graduate study within five calendar years of part-time study.

Fellows may attend any accredited institution of higher education in the United States to complete one of the following master's degrees:

  • Master of Arts (MA) in American history, political science, or government.
  • Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) concentrating on either American Constitutional history (in a history department) or American government, political institutions, and political theory (in a political science department). MAT degrees without required constitutional coursework cannot be approved.
  • Master of Education (MED) or Master of Arts or Master of Science in Education with a concentration in American history or American government, political institutions, and political theory. 

Finally, the four-week Summer Institute on the Constitution is held in Washington, D.C. after Fellows begin their graduate program coursework. The academic focus of the Institute is a graduate course entitled "The Foundations of American Constitutionalism." Taught by constitutional scholars, this course is a study of the principles, framing, ratification, and implementation of constitutional government in the United States.

After completion of the program, fellows will teach American history, American government, or civics (with Constitutional content) in grades 7-12 for one full academic year for each year of funding received, preferably in their home state. Failure to complete the graduate degree, attend the Summer Institute, or fulfill teaching obligations will result in repayment of the fellowship funds with applicable interest. 

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be a teacher, or plan to be a teacher, of American history, American government, or civics classes where you will teach topics on the Constitution at the secondary school level (grades 7-12).        
    • For applicants who are making a career change into the teaching profession for the first time, but are not currently employed as a classroom teacher, please apply for the Junior Fellowship.
  • Possess a bachelor's degree or plan to receive a bachelor's degree no later than August 31 of the year in which you apply.
  • 3 Short Essays:
    • Significance of activities (250 words)
    • Significance of awards (250 words)
    • Career Plans and Professional Goals (375 words)
  • Personal Essay (500 words)
  • Constitutional Essay (900 words)
  • Proposed Degree and Course Selection Rationale
  • Transcript(s)
  • Congressional Information of Senators and name/district of House Member
  • 3 Recommendations
  • Attend an NCA Info Session on the James Madison Fellowship.
  • Schedule an advising appointment with NCA Assistant Director Michele McDonald through My Bearcat Network. In advance of the appointment, please:
  • Launch your online application.
  • Complete and submit application by National Deadline.
  • The James Madison Fellowship has a list of application tips and requirements: James Madison Application Help.
  • Information on this page is intended to supplement, not supplant, your own careful review of the official James Madison Fellowship website. If you find any discrepancy between the two, the James Madison website takes precedence.
  • Though you should seek out others’ advice and feedback on your application, the essays should be your original work (no one should be writing your essays for you). UC’s Student Code of Conduct applies.