James Madison Memorial Teaching Fellowships

Scholarship Sponsored by James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation

Purpose — why this fellowship exists
The James Madison Fellowship was created by Congress to keep Madison’s ideas alive in our classrooms. It supports master’s study focused on the U.S. Constitution — its origins, how it was written, the principles it embodies, and how it has developed. The goal is practical: deepen teachers’ command of constitutional government so they can teach it well, mentor other teachers, and help shape informed citizens.

Who competes with whom
You compete only against other applicants from the state of your legal residence. That makes the competition statewide rather than national.

Who is eligible
To apply you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be a current teacher or plan to become a secondary teacher (grades 7–12) of American history, American government, or civics.
- Have a bachelor’s degree, or be on track to receive one no later than August 31 of the year you apply.

Teaching commitment after the degree
For each academic year of fellowship funding you receive, you must teach one full year of American history, American government, or civics in grades 7–12. The Foundation prefers you teach in the state from which you won the award.

Financial basics
- Maximum award: $24,000 total, prorated over the study period.
- The award will not exceed $12,000 for any single academic year.
- Payments cover actual costs only: tuition, required fees, and books. Room and board are covered only if you must live away from your principal residence to attend school.
- Funds are applied only to the minimum number of credits required for the degree for which you are registered.

Important rules and consequences
You must complete the graduate program for which the fellowship was awarded, attend the Summer Institute on the Constitution, and fulfill the required post-degree teaching obligation. If you fail to meet these conditions, you will forfeit the fellowship and must return all funds received, plus any applicable interest required by federal law.

Types of fellowships
- Junior Fellowships: For outstanding college seniors or recent graduates who do not yet have teaching experience but plan to become secondary teachers of American history, American government, or civics. Junior Fellows are expected to complete graduate study within two academic years of full‑time study.
- Senior Fellowships: For outstanding current secondary teachers. Senior Fellows must complete graduate study within five calendar years of part‑time study.

Special fellowship for veterans
The Admiral Paul A. Yost, Jr.–James Madison Fellowship is reserved for applicants who meet the basic eligibility requirements and have served honorably in the U.S. military. If you want to be considered, mark the appropriate box on the application. Candidates for the Yost fellowship compete only against each other; if you are not selected for the Yost award, you will still compete in your home‑state round for the standard James Madison Fellowships.

What degree and program you must pursue
Fellows must complete a master’s degree from an accredited university in one of these preferred areas (in preference order):
1. Master of Arts (MA) in American history, political science, or government.
2. Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a clear concentration either in American Constitutional history (in a history department) or in American government, political institutions, and political theory (in a political science department). MAT programs that do not include the required constitutional coursework will not be approved.
3. Master of Education (MEd), or an MA/MS in Education, with a concentration in American history or American government, political institutions, and political theory. MEd programs without the required constitutional coursework will not be approved.

A few final notes from your “teacher”
This fellowship is an investment in you as an educator and in the civic knowledge of future students. If you’re serious about teaching the Constitution well, it’s worth reading the full application instructions carefully and talking with an advisor about program coursework to make sure it meets the Foundation’s constitutional requirements.