About James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (JMMFF)
Established by the United States Congress in 1986, the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation aims to support exceptional secondary school teachers of American history, American government, and social studies in grades 7 through 12 as they pursue graduate studies focusing on the origins, framing, principles, and development of the United States Constitution. The Foundation pays tribute to James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and widely recognized as the “Father of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” and commemorates the bicentennial of the Constitution.
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation awards $24,000 JMMFF Graduate Fellowships to individuals aspiring to excel as outstanding secondary school teachers specializing in the American Constitution. Only candidates from the states in which they are legal residents are considered in the competition for fellowships. The Foundation aims to provide one fellowship to each state annually, subject to funding availability.
The application process for the 2024 Fellowships will open on Constitution Day, September 17, 2023.
The Foundation offers two types of fellowships:
- Junior Fellowships: These are awarded to exceptional college seniors and recent graduates without teaching experience who intend to teach American history, American government, or civics, including the Constitution, in secondary schools (grades 7–12). Junior fellows are required to complete their graduate degrees within two academic years of full-time study.
- Senior Fellowships: These fellowships are awarded to outstanding current or former teachers who must complete their graduate studies within five calendar years of part-time study.
James Madison Fellowships with Special Funding
- The Frederick Douglass-James Madison Fellowship: This privately funded graduate fellowship is open to U.S. citizens who are people of color and secondary-level teachers or prospective teachers of American history, American government, or civics. It allows recipients to pursue a master’s degree in constitutional law.
- The Admiral Paul A. Yost, Jr.-James Madison Fellowship: This fellowship is for individuals who have served in the U.S. military and meet the qualifying criteria mentioned above.
Details about JMMFF Graduate Fellowships:
- Scholarship Sponsor: James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
- Scholarship Value: Varies
- Number of Awards: One per state
- Study Level: Fellowship
- Host Institution(s): James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
Aims of JMMFF Graduate Fellowships
Each fellowship may provide up to $24,000 in total, prorated over the duration of the study, with a maximum annual award not exceeding $12,000. Fellows typically receive amounts less than these maximums. Payments cover only the minimum number of credits required for the degree and are specifically for tuition, mandatory fees, books, and, if necessary, room and board expenses for those obligated to live away from their primary residence.
Failure to complete the graduate degree, attend the Summer Institute on the Constitution, or teach qualifying subjects in grades 7–12 for the required duration specified by the award will result in the forfeiture of the fellowship and the return of all funds disbursed, along with applicable interest under federal law.
Eligibility Criteria for JMMFF Graduate Fellowships
Only candidates from the state in which they are legal residents are considered in the competition for fellowships. To be eligible to apply for a fellowship, candidates must:
- Be U.S. citizens.
- Intend to educate secondary school students (grades 7–12) on topics related to the Constitution by becoming teachers of American history, American government, or civics.
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or have the intention to obtain one by August 31 of the application year.
Professional Teaching Obligation: Each Fellow is required to teach American history, American government, or civics in grades 7–12 for one full year for each academic year of funding received under the fellowship, ideally in the state from which the fellowship was awarded, after obtaining the master’s degree.
Interview Date, Process, and Venue for JMMFF Graduate Fellowships
Only candidates from the state in which they are legal residents compete for fellowships. Candidates are assessed based on their commitment to a career in secondary school civics, American history, or American government classes that include constitutional topics. Applicants must demonstrate:
- Intent to enroll in and successfully complete a graduate degree with a focus on the Constitution and its instruction.
- Dedication to civic duty.
- Ability to research and function as classroom instructors.
Applications are evaluated without regard to the applicant’s race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, handicap, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factors. The James Madison Foundation typically announces fellowship recipients in late April or early May.
Application Procedure for JMMFF Graduate Fellowships
If you are eligible and interested, you can apply for a fellowship through the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (JMMFF) application portal.
The application process may take several hours to complete once you have registered. You can save your work and return to it later before the application deadline.
The Application Deadline is: March 1, 2024
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