Fund Details
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Competition Type
Global/National - Yale Endorsement

Brief Description:

This application is to apply to be one of the 2 Yale nominations for the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.


The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Eligible are graduating seniors and alumni who have graduated from Yale College within the past academic year. Individuals who have begun graduate studies are not eligible (except in cases of joint bachelor's/master's degrees).

Description:

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. As one of the world’s leading think tanks specializing in international affairs, the Endowment conducts programs of research, discussion, publication and education. The Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs. Approximately 15 Junior Fellows are hired each year to work at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC on a full-time basis for a period of 10 months (September 1st-June 30th). Some fellowships may extend up to twelve months through August 31 through mutual agreement between the program and the junior fellow.

Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working on the Carnegie Endowment's projects:

A) Democracy, Conflict and Governance

B) American Statecraft Program

C) Nuclear Policy Program

D) Technology and International Affairs Program

E) Middle East Program

F) International Security and Political Economy

G) Asia Program

H) Russia and Eurasia Program

I) Africa Program

J) Global Order and Institutions Program

K) Sustainability, Climate and Geopolitics Program

L) Europe Program

Available placements vary from year to year and are announced in October; see application information below.

ASSIGNMENTS: 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.
Carnegie Junior Fellows receive a monthly salary and benefits. Fellows are responsible for their own housing but receive relocation stipend of up to $1500.

Application Information:

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program application for the 2026-2027 fellowships may be found here. 

Please read the information about the writing samples carefully: each year some project assignments have specific requirements, for language or other coursework, typically listed on the last page of the application information.

The campus nomination process is coordinated by the Office of Fellowships.

Yale College is invited to nominate two or three candidates to the national competition each year. Finalists are invited to interview virtually with representatives of the Carnegie Endowment in late February and March, and decisions are expected to be announced by the end of March.


To apply for Yale's nomination for the Carnegie
  • An essay of one page (double-spaced) on why the applicant would like to become a Junior Fellow
  • A one- to two-page résumé.
  • Two confidential letters of recommendation (at least one of which should ideally be from a faculty member in the department of the applicant's major).
  • A writing sample of three to five pages, double-spaced. This sample may be either a full-length piece that falls within the size range or an excerpt from a longer work. The writing sample can be on any topic. However, it's recommended that you choose a writing sample that is relevant to the program you are applying for, either in subject matter or style of analysis. For more information on what each Carnegie research program is working on, visit https://carnegieendowment.org/programs-and-projects. The writing samples should be thought pieces, not research papers. Applicants should submit an essay related to the available assignment in which they are most interested, although the James C. Gaither Junior Fellow Program may ultimately select an applicant for a program outside their designated primary interest or make an assignment to more than one program. 
  • Transcripts: Unofficial Yale College transcripts suffice for this application.  An unofficial transcript is also required from any other institution attended for post-secondary studies.
Interested Yale applicants, after doing some research of their own, may refer questions to Alison Bumke (meetings by appointment). Further information about Policy and Think Tanks can be found on the OCS Policy and Think Tanks resources page.

Special Eligibility Requirements:

Eligible are graduating seniors and alumni who have graduated from Yale College within the past academic year. Individuals who have begun graduate studies are not eligible (except in cases of joint bachelor's/master's degrees).

Candidates must have completed a significant amount of coursework related to their discipline of interest, and have achieved a high academic standard.

Each year some project assignments have specific requirements, for language or other coursework; please read the official application materials carefully, including the last page.

There are no citizenship requirements; however, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship (for example with OPT).

NOTE: The Carnegie Endowment does not accept direct applications for this program; only students nominated by participating universities can be considered.

Restrictions to Use of Award:

NOTE: The Carnegie Endowment does not accept direct applications for this program; only students nominated by participating universities can be considered. Applicants should complete this application for the Yale campus evaluation. Students who are selected as nominees will be invited to submit their official application via Embark. Details will be provided at the time of nomination.

This Fellowship is not deferable.

Links to Additional Information:

Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact Alison Bumke at alison.bumke@yale.edu

Search Filters:
Current Year of Study
  • Senior
  • Alumni
    Term of Award
    • Summer + Academic Year
      Grant or Fellowship Purpose
      • Internship/Work
        Global Region or Country
        • North America
        • -- United States (North America)
          Citizenship Status
          • U.S. citizens are eligible
          • Non-U.S. citizens are eligible