Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a unique global network of policy research centers in Russia, China, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Their mission, dating back more than a century, is to advance the cause of peace through analysis and development of fresh policy ideas and direct engagement and collaboration with decision-makers in government, business and civil society. Working together, their centers bring the inestimable benefit of multiple national viewpoints to bilateral, regional and global issues.
Each year, through the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers approximately 15 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. They are matched with senior fellows – academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world – to work on a variety of international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for Carnegie publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
Junior Fellows spend one year at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC., beginning on August. Positions are full-time and include a salary and a benefits package.
The application process is highly competitive. Applications from nominees are evaluated based on the quality of the written essay, related academic study and/or work experience, academic performance, letters of recommendation, and personal interviews.
Application Process
Qualifications & Eligibility
- Open to ALL majors at UCSD.
- Applicants must be nominated by an official of their university or institution who has been designated for this purpose (at UCSD, this is the International Studies Program Advising Team). Applications are accepted only from graduating college seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. No one will be considered who has started graduate studies (except those who have recently completed a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree program).
- Applicants should have completed a significant amount of coursework related to their discipline of interest. Language and other skills may also be required for certain assignments. The selection process for the program is very competitive. Accordingly, applicants should be of high academic quality.
- Qualifications for Gaither Junior Fellows may vary by program. Please review the bulletin for program requirements and more information on what each program is looking for.
Application Requirements
Application Deadline: Applications will need to be received by isp@ucsd.edu by January 8th, 2027
Application Packet: Carnegie Endowment James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program Application Materials for 2027-2028
Nomination & Contact Information
The International Studies Program is the administrative home of the Carnegie Endowment James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program nomination process at UCSD.
ALL applications must be submitted to the International Studies Advising Office by the deadline provided on this page.
If you have any questions, please contact:
- International Studies Program Advisors
- E-mail: isp@ucsd.edu
- Phone: 858-822-5299
- Location: Robinson Building Complex, Building 3
Annual Reports of Research
2024-25
Each year, the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 12-14 graduating
seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior fellows – academics, former
government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world – to work on a variety of
international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for Carnegie
publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony
and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at Carnegie in Washington,
DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
We encourage you to review our website (http://carnegieendowment.org/) for more information on
each program/project listed below.
2023-24
Each year, the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 12-14 graduating
seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior fellows – academics, former
government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world – to work on a variety of
international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for Carnegie
publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony
and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at Carnegie in Washington,
DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
We encourage you to review our website (http://carnegieendowment.org/) for more information on
each program/project listed below.
2022-23
Each year, the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 12-14 graduating
seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior fellows – academics, former
government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world – to work on a variety of
international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for Carnegie
publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony
and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at Carnegie in Washington,
DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
We encourage you to review our website (http://carnegieendowment.org/) for more information on
each program/project listed below.
2021-22
Each year, the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 12-14 graduating
seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior fellows – academics, former
government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world – to work on a variety of
international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for Carnegie
publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony
and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at Carnegie in Washington,
DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
We encourage you to review our website (http://carnegieendowment.org/) for more information on
each program/project listed below.
- Democracy, Conflict, and Governance
- U.S. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy – The Junior Fellow will support Carnegie Endowment President
Ambassador William J. Burns on research and writing that seeks to shape American diplomacy.
Applicants should have coursework in U.S. foreign policy, broad-gauged regional lens, an interest in
policy analysis and formulation, and superb writing skills. - Nuclear Policy
- Technology and International Affairs (including the Cyber Policy Initiative)
- Middle East – Strong reading fluency and the ability to perform academic as well as on-line research in
Arabic essential. Strong background in Middle East politics and/or history is a huge plus. - South Asia – A strong academic background in international relations theory, political theory, or
international political economy is essential, along with an interest in military issues. The ability to
perform quantitative data manipulation is required and a strong mathematical background is a plus. - Asia Program (China) – Mandarin Chinese reading skills required.
- Asia Program (Japan) – Japanese reading skills required.
- Asia Program (Economics) – Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus. Strong background in
economics essential.
areas (Chinese language skills, Japanese language skills, strong economics
background) will be at an advantage when applying, regardless of their essay selection.
- Russia and Eurasia – Excellent Russian reading skills required.
- Africa Program (NEW) - The Africa Program examines the economic, social, political, and external
factors shaping Africa today, with the aim of helping regional and international policy actors strengthen
their contributions to a better African future.
2019-2020
Each year, the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 12-14 graduating
seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior fellows – academics, former
government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world – to work on a variety of
international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for Carnegie
publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony
and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
James C. Gaither Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at Carnegie in Washington,
DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
We encourage you to review our website (http://carnegieendowment.org/) for more information on
each program/project listed below.
2019-2020 Junior Fellows Projects
- Democracy, Conflict, and Governance
- U.S. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy – The Junior Fellow will support Carnegie Endowment President Ambassador William J. Burns on research and writing that seeks to shape American diplomacy. Applicants should have coursework in U.S. foreign policy, broad-gauged regional lens, an interest in policy analysis and formulation, and superb writing skills.
- Nuclear Policy
- Technology and International Affairs/Cyber Policy
- Middle East – Strong reading fluency and the ability to perform academic as well as on-line research in Arabic essential. Strong background in Middle East politics and/or history is a huge plus.
- South Asia – A strong academic background in international relations theory, political theory, or international political economy is essential, along with an interest in military issues. The ability to perform quantitative data manipulation is required and a strong mathematical background is a plus.
- China (Asia Program) – Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus.
- Japan (Asia Program) – Japanese reading skills required.
- Economics (Asia Program) – Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus. Strong background in economics essential.
- Russia and Eurasia – Excellent Russian reading skills required.
- Geoeconomics and Strategy
2018-19
Each year, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 10-12 graduating seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior associates -- academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world - to work on a variety of international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
2018-2019 Junior Fellows Projects
- Democracy and Rule of Law
- US Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Executive Office
- Nuclear Policy
- Cyber Policy
- Energy and Climate
- Middle East Studies
- Required: Strong reading fluency and the ability to do academic as well as online research in Arabic.
- Preferred: Strong background in Middle East politics and/or history.
- South Asian Studies
- Required: Strong background in international relations theory, political theory, and/or international political economy is essential.
- Preferred: Quantitative data manipulation skills essential (fluency in R, SPSS, or Stata a plus) and an interest in military issues. A strong mathematical background is a plus.
- China Studies (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Japan Studies (Asia Program)
- Required: Japanese reading skills.
- Economics (Asia Program)
- Required: Strong background in economics.
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Russian/Eurasian Studies
- Required: Excellent Russian reading skills.
- Geoeconomics and Strategy
2017-18
Each year, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 10-12 graduating seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior associates -- academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world - to work on a variety of international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
2017-18 Junior Fellows Projects
- Democracy and Rule of Law
- Nuclear Policy
- Energy and Climate
- Cyber Policy Initiative
- Middle East Studies
- Required: Native or near-native Arabic language skills (especially reading & writing in modern standard Arabic).
- South Asian Studies
- Required: Strong background in international relations, strategy and military issues, comparative politics, and/or international political economy is essential.
- Preferred: Quantitative data manipulation skills essential (fluency in R, SPSS, or Strata a plus).
- Note: Foreign language skills are not required.
- China Studies (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Japan Studies (Asia Program)
- Required: Japanese language skills.
- Southeast Asian Studies (Asia Program)
- Preferred: Background in politics and economics of the region.
- Preferred: Knowledge of quantitative techniques.
- Economics (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Russian/Eurasian Studies
- Required: Excellent Russian language skills.
2016-17
Each year, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 10-12 graduating seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior associates -- academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world - to work on a variety of international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
2016-17 Junior Fellows Projects
- Democracy and Rule of Law
- Nuclear Policy
- Energy and Climate
- Middle East Studies
- Required: Native or near-native Arabic language skills (especially reading & writing in modern standard Arabic).
- South Asian Studies
- Required: Strong background in international relations, strategy and military issues, comparative politics, and/or international political economy is essential.
- Preferred: Quantitative data manipulation skills essential (fluency in R, SPSS, or Strata a plus).
- Note: Foreign language skills are not required.
- China Studies (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Japan Studies (Asia Program)
- Required: Japanese language skills.
- Southeast Asian Studies (Asia Program)
- Preferred: Background in politics and economics of the region.
- Preferred: Knowledge of quantitative techniques.
- Economics (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Russian/Eurasian Studies
- Required: Excellent Russian language skills.
2015-16
Each year, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 10-12 graduating seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior associates -- academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world - to work on a variety of international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
2015-16 Junior Fellows Projects
- Democracy and Rule of Law
- Nuclear Policy
- Energy and Climate
- Middle East Studies
- Required: Native or near-native Arabic language skills (especially reading & writing in modern standard Arabic).
- South Asian Studies
- Required: Strong background in international relations, strategy and military issues, comparative politics, and/or international political economy is essential.
- Preferred: Quantitative data manipulation skills essential (fluency in R, SPSS, or Strata a plus).
- Note: Foreign language skills are not required.
- China Studies (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Japan Studies (Asia Program)
- Required: Japanese language skills.
- Southeast Asian Studies (Asia Program)
- Preferred: Background in politics and economics of the region.
- Preferred: Knowledge of quantitative techniques.
- Economics (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Russian/Eurasian Studies
- Required: Excellent Russian language skills.
2014-15
Each year, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 10-12 graduating seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior associates -- academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world - to work on a variety of international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
2014-15 Junior Fellows Projects
- Democracy
- Nuclear Policy
- Energy and Climate
- Middle East Studies
- Required: Native or near-native Arabic language skills (especially reading & writing in modern standard Arabic).
- South Asian Studies
- Required: Strong background in international relations, strategy and military issues, comparative politics, and/or international political economy is essential.
- Preferred: Quantitative data manipulation skills essential (fluency in R, SPSS, or Strata a plus).
- Note: Foreign language skills are not required.
- China Studies (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Japan Studies (Asia Program)
- Required: Japanese language skills.
- Southeast Asian Studies (Asia Program)
- Preferred: Background in politics and economics of the region.
- Preferred: Knowledge of quantitative techniques.
- Economics (Asia Program)
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills.
- Russian/Eurasian Studies
- Required: Excellent Russian language skills.
2013-14
Each year, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a rigorous national competition to select approximately 10-12 graduating seniors to serve as research assistants. They are matched with senior associates -- academics, former government officials, lawyers and journalists from around the world - to work on a variety of international affairs issues. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for publications, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, journalists and government officials.
Junior Fellows spend one year (beginning August 1st) at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, DC. Positions are full-time and include a salary and benefits package.
2013-14 Junior Fellows Projects
- Democracy
- Nuclear Policy
- Energy and Climate
- Economics
- Required: Economics background.
- Middle East Studies
- Required: Native or near-native Arabic language skills.
- South Asian Studies
- Required: Strong background in international relations, strategy and military issues, comparative politics, and/or international political economy is essential.
- Preferred: Quantitative data manipulation skills essential (fluency in R, SPSS, or Strata a plus).
- Note: Foreign language skills are not required.
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Preferred: Background in politics and economics of the region.
- Preferred: Knowledge of quantitative techniques.
- Asian Studies
- Strongly Preferred: Mandarin Chinese reading skills. Japanese language skills may be helpful.
- Russian/Eurasian Studies
- Required: Excellent Russian language skills.
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