The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers $24,000 James Madison Graduate Fellowships to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. Fellowship applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence. Generally, one Fellowship per state is awarded each year. After receiving the master's degree, each Fellow must teach American history, American government, or social studies in grades 7–12 for one full year for each academic year of funding received under a fellowship, preferably in the state from which the recipient won the fellowship.
Deadline: March
Value: $24,000
Eligibility: Fellowship applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence. To be eligible to apply for a fellowship, you must: Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national; be a teacher, or plan to become a teacher, of American history, American government, or social studies at the secondary school level (grades 7–12); and possess a bachelor's degree or plan to receive a bachelor's degree no later than August 31 of the year in which you are applying.
Nomination: No, but strongly suggested to work with Fellowships Office
Website: http://www.jamesmadison.gov/
James Madison Application Deadlines
- National Deadline: March 2, 2026
James Madison Recommended Steps and Timeline
- By November 10, 2025: Determine graduate program(s) you are applying to and identify constitutional coursework.
- By November 24, 2025: Develop activities list, honors/awards list, and short answer responses for significance.
- By December 8, 2025: Develop career plans and professional goals short answer and personal essay.
- By January 5, 2026: First draft of Constitutional Essay
- January - February, 2026: Work on revisions of lists, plans and goals, and constitutional essay
- By January 20, 2026: Identify recommenders to write letters of recommendation for you.
- By February 23, 2026: Send final edits to Office of National Fellowships
- March 2, 2026, 2:59 am: NATIONAL DEADLINE