October 12, 2004

Madison Fellowships Available For Future Teachers

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, a federally endowed and privately funded program designed to strengthen instruction about the Constitution in the nation’s schools, will award generous fellowships in 2005 for master’s degree level graduate study of the framing and history of the U.S. Constitution. College seniors and college graduates who intend to become secondary school teachers of American history, American government or social studies are eligible for the fellowships. Through a nationwide competition, James Madison Fellowships will be awarded to at least one legal resident of each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. After completing study under their fellowships, James Madison Fellows are required to teach American history, American government or social studies in grades 7-12 for a minimum of one year for each academic year of graduate assistance they receive. Fellowships carry a maximum stipend of $24,000 for up to two years of full-time study for college graduates, which is used to cover the costs of tuition, required fees, books, and room and board. Fellows must enroll in graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in American history, political science or education offered by any accredited U.S. university. Participation in an accredited four-week Summer Institute held at Georgetown University on the principles, framing, ratification and implementation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is required of all fellows, normally during the summer after the commencement of study. Fellows’ attendance at the Summer Institute is paid for by the Madison Foundation. Details about the program may be obtained at Boise State University from Michael Blankenship, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs; from the James Madison Fellowship Program, P.O. Box 4030, Iowa City, Iowa 52243-4030; by telephone between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time at 1-800-525-6928; or by e-mail at madison@act.org.  Application materials may be downloaded from the Foundation’s Web site at www.jamesmadison.com.  Application materials must be received by March 1. -30- Contact: Michael Blankenship, College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, (208) 426-3776 Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, communications and marketing, (208) 426-3275