James Madison Memorial Teaching Fellowships
Scholarship Sponsored by James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
Introduction
Congress established the James Madison Fellowships to honor James Madison’s legacy and to promote study of the Constitution—its origins, framing, principles, and evolution—by supporting graduate work leading to a master’s degree. While enrolled in graduate programs, Fellows deepen their knowledge of constitutional government and bring that understanding back into secondary classrooms. The program also helps Fellows build professional networks that often shape their future teaching careers, ensuring that Madisonian principles continue to inform civic life.
Who may apply
- Applicants compete only against other candidates from the state of their legal residence.
- To be eligible you must:
- Be a United States citizen;
- Be a current teacher or intend to become a secondary school (grades 7–12) teacher of American history, American government, or civics;
- Hold a bachelor’s degree, or have definite plans to receive one no later than August 31 of the year in which you submit your application.
Types of fellowship awards
- Junior Fellowships: For exceptional college seniors and recent graduates who do not yet have teaching experience but plan to teach American history, American government, or civics at the secondary level. Junior Fellows are expected to finish their graduate program within two academic years of full‑time study.
- Senior Fellowships: For outstanding current secondary teachers. Senior Fellows must complete their graduate work within five calendar years of part‑time study.
Specially funded fellowship
- The Admiral Paul A. Yost, Jr. — James Madison Fellowship is reserved for applicants who meet the standard eligibility criteria and who have served honorably in the U.S. military. Candidates who wish to be considered for this award must check the appropriate box on the application; they will compete only against other applicants who have done the same. After the Yost award is made, remaining applicants return to the regular state competition for standard James Madison Fellowships.
Degree requirements and approved programs
Fellows must enroll in and complete a master’s degree at an accredited university in one of these preferred programs (listed in order of preference by the Foundation):
1. Master of Arts (MA) in American history, political science, or government.
2. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a concentration either in American Constitutional history (typically in a history department) or in American government, political institutions, and political theory (typically in a political science department). MAT programs lacking required constitutional coursework will not be approved.
3. Master of Education (MEd), or an MA/MS in Education with a concentration in American history, American government, political institutions, or political theory. MEd or equivalent education degrees without the required constitutional coursework will not be approved.
Teaching obligation
Each Fellow must, after earning the master’s degree, teach American history, American government, or civics in grades 7–12 for one full academic year for every academic year of fellowship funding received. The Foundation prefers that Fellows fulfill this obligation in the state from which they won the fellowship.
Financial terms
- The maximum total award is $24,000, prorated over the period of study; no award will exceed $12,000 for a single academic year of study.
- Fellowship funds are applied only to actual costs of tuition, required fees, and books; room and board may be covered only if the Fellow must live away from their principal residence to attend the approved program. Payments are limited to the minimum number of credits required for completion of the degree for which the Fellow is enrolled.
Conditions and recoupment
Failure to complete the approved graduate program, failure to attend the required Summer Institute on the Constitution, or failure to meet the teaching service obligation for the amount of time required by the award will result in forfeiture of the fellowship. Recipients who do not meet these obligations will be required to repay all fellowship funds disbursed, plus any interest required by federal law.