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 10-12 months. Gaither Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working within Carnegie’s programs, 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.
Deadline: January
Value: $45,000 and a full benefits package
Eligibility: Graduating seniors or graduates who have not begun graduate studies. U.S. citizenship and Non-U.S. citizenship if attending a U.S. university
Major: Democracy; international economics; nuclear policy; energy and climate; Middle East Studies; South Asian Studies; South East Asia Studies; Asian Studies; Russia/Eurasian Studies
Fellowship Type: Undergraduate, Alumni, International Students
Nomination: Yes; Contact the Fellowships Office
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program Application Deadlines
- November 18, 2025, 11:59pm: Internal Deadline. Submit all materials to the Office of National Fellowships.
- December 1, 2025: Nominees notified.
- January 13, 2026: Deadline to submit final applications to Leigh Pratt at national.fellowships@unh.edu.
James C. Gaither Recommended Steps and Timeline
- By October 27, 2025: Send draft of resume to Office of National Fellowships (national.fellowships@unh.edu) and share intent to apply.
- By November 3, 2025: Send draft of personal statement to Office of National Fellowships. Meet with Fellowships Office to discuss potential recommenders. You do not need to ask them yet.
- November 10, 2025: Select writing sample and write why you selected that particular writing sample. Send the sample and description to the office.
- November, 2025: Send revised essay to Office of National Fellowships for feedback.
- November 18, 2025: INTERNAL DEADLINE (Must send a complete copy of all materials to Office of National Fellowships.)
- December 1, 2025: Nominees will be notified.
- December & Early January: Nominees continue to edit all materials. Nominees ask letter writers for recommendations.
- By January 6, 2026: (1) Complete and submit your FERPA form to national.fellowships@unh.edu to request your UNH transcripts and (2) Sign and return the nomination agreement form to national.fellowships@unh.edu.
- January 13, 2026: DEADLINE - Applications MUST be received by Leigh Pratt at national.fellowships@unh.edu.
- Late-February to Early-March, 2026: Selected applicants are interviewed.
- End of March: James C. Gaither Fellow selections made and candidates notified.
