James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program

About

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. The mission, dating back more than a century, 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. Working together, the centers bring the inestimable benefit of multiple national viewpoints to bilateral, regional and global issues.

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, DC on a full-time basis for a period of one year.

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

Eligibility

Case Western Reserve University is a participating university of this fellows program. Interested students must work directly with Dean Wes Schaub, the institution’s nominating official for this program. Applicants must have attended a university located in the United States and must be eligible to work in the United States for a full 12 months from approximately August 1 through July 31 following graduation. Students on F-1 visas who are eligible to work in the U.S. for the full year may apply for the program.

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 bachelors/masters degree program). The program accepts applications only through participating universities via designated nominating officials.

Qualifications

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. Applicants 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. Qualifications for Gaither Junior Fellows may vary by program.

Application Procedure

• Schedule an appointment to meet with Dean LaTasha Johnson, preferably during your junior year but no later than May 31 prior to your senior year, to discuss your goals and plan to compete in this scholarship process.
• Applications are submitted to the national competition by the institution’s nominating official and must be supported by the institution, so there is an on-campus preliminary screening. Interested applicants must complete the preliminary screening process.
• Send the following to Dean LaTasha Johnson at lxt229@case.edu by the campus deadline of Nov. 30, 2024: 
  • James C. Gaither Fellows Program application (must be obtained from Dean Johnson by requesting via email at lxt229@case.edu)
  • Resume/C.V. (preferably 1-2 pages)
  • Two letters of recommendations. These recommendations can come from anyone the student feels can
    best speak to their abilities as a potential Gaither Junior Fellow.
  • Transcript of undergraduate records. The transcript may be unofficial.
  • An essay of no more than three (3) typewritten, double-spaced pages on one of the application topics. These 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, although the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program may ultimately select an applicant for a program outside of their designated primary interest or make an assignment to more than one program. Applicants must respond to the question pertaining to the program to which they are applying. Please see Dean Johnson for an update listed of questions. They are updated annually by Gaither.
  • The aforementioned items are actual application components and will not only allow the Campus Selection Committee to evaluate your candidacy but allow you to develop your formal application.
  • Preference will be for all application materials to be sent in one singular PDF.
  • Reference letters can be submitted separately by the letter writer either electronically to lxt229@case.edu or via US/campus mail to the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Case Western Reserve University, 447 Sears Building, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106-7028.
• Campus interviews may be required for candidates. Times will be identified for interviews based on your class schedule and committee availability. Interviews will take place in early December, if applicable. (See schedule below.)
• Complete final application submission (letters of recommendation included) by January 10, 2025 in order to allow the institution’s nominating official the appropriate time to compile the application materials and deliver them to the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program by the national deadline.

Value of the Award

• All fellowships begin on Aug. 1, 2024. Gaither Junior Fellows are hired for a period of approximately one year.
• Positions are paid, full-time positions for one year. The current salary is $1,791.67 per semimonthly pay period ($43,000 per year). A full benefits package is also provided.

Contact

Students should contact their institution’s nominating official, Dean LaTasha Johhnson (lxt229@ case.edu) with questions regarding the selection and nominating process. Questions concerning the requirements and the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program should be addressed to Christopher Grider in Human Resources at 202.939.2308 or jrfellowinfo@ceip.org.

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