Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the Junior Fellows applicant information sent to participating universities?
• Does my school participate in the Junior Fellows Program?
• How can I apply if my school is not a participating university?
• Must applicants be U.S. citizens?
• Am I eligible for the Junior Fellows Program?
• How do I apply if I’ve already graduated?
• How do I obtain an application?
• Is the application available on-line?
• I cannot obtain an official transcript by the deadline. What should I do?
• Who is my university’s nominating official?
• Must the nominating official write a statement of nomination?
• May I apply for the Junior Fellow Program directly to the Carnegie Endowment?
• When is the application deadline?
• Are applicants interviewed for the program?
• As a Junior Fellow, what kind of work will I do?
• What are the criteria upon which applications are considered?
• Will I be notified if I am not selected for the Program?
• When does the fellowship begin?
• Are Junior Fellows paid?

When is the Junior Fellows applicant information sent to participating universities?
The Carnegie Endowment generally sends information to participating universities by the second week of October each year. Information is updated annually as essay topics change from year to year.

Does my school participate in the Junior Fellows Program?
See visit our list of participating schools.

How can I apply if my school is not a participating university?
You are encouraged to ask your career placement office to contact us to find out how your school may participate.

Must applicants be U.S. citizens?
It depends.  You need not be a U.S. citizen if you attend a university located in the United States.  However, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States for a full 12 months from August 1 through July 31 following graduation.  Students on F-1 visas who are eligible to work in the US for the full year (August 1 through July 31) may apply for the program.

If you attend a participating school outside of the United States, you must be a US citizen (due to work permit requirements).

Am I eligible for the Junior Fellows Program?
Applicants must be graduating seniors or students who have graduated during the last academic year. No one who has started graduate studies is eligible for consideration. The Carnegie Endowment accepts applications only through participating universities via designated nominating officials.

How do I apply if I’ve already graduated?
If you graduated during the previous academic year and have not started graduate studies, you may apply through the university from which you graduated.

How do I obtain an application?
Application forms, procedures and information are available through designated college/university nominating officials.  Due to the nominations process and varying on-campus application procedures, the Carnegie Endowment is unable to send applications directly to students.

Is the application available on-line?
Due to the nominations process, the application is not available on line.  Applications are available through designated nominating officials at each school.  Nominating officials are  most familiar with the particular school’s nomination process.  Please visit our list of nominating officials for more information.

I cannot obtain an official transcript by the deadline.  What should I do?
The Carnegie Endowment accepts unofficial transcripts.

Who is my university’s nominating official?
In many cases, information is available in career placement, internship or fellowship offices and/or political science departments. See our list of participating schools for the list of nominating officials. 

Must the nominating official write a statement of nomination?
No.  A statement from a nominating official (unless it is 1 of the 2 required references) is not considered in the application process.

May I apply for the Junior Fellow Program directly to the Carnegie Endowment?
The Junior Fellows Program is competitive and, as such, the Carnegie Endowment relies on participating universities to nominate uniquely qualified students. We are unable to accept applications directly from students. Students should consult their university on the nomination process.

When is the application deadline?
The Carnegie Endowment’s deadline is January 15th (or the Friday before if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday).  However, most schools set an earlier deadline (some as early as November) to receive and review applications. Consult your university for application deadlines and details on the school’s application process.

Are applicants interviewed for the program?
The Selection Committee chooses approximately 25 applicants for interview.  These “finalists” are interviewed in February and early March.

As a Junior Fellow, what kind of work will I do?
Junior Fellows provide research assistance to Associates working on the Carnegie Endowment’s projects.  You may learn more about our programs by visiting Carnegie's homepage.  Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.

What are the criteria upon which applications are considered?
The application process is highly competitive.  Approximately 5% of applicants are ultimately selected for positions.  Applications are judged on the quality of the written essay, related academic study and/or work experience, grades, recommendations, and personal interviews.

Will I be notified if I am not selected for the Program?
Those not selected for interview will be notified during the month of February.  “Finalists” will be notified of selection / non-selection by March 31st.

When does the fellowship begin?
All fellowships begin on August 1st. Junior Fellows are hired for approximately one year.

Are Junior Fellows paid?
Positions are paid, full-time positions for one year. Junior fellows are currently paid a gross salary of $2,916.66 per month ($35,000 per year). A full benefits package is also provided.