CARNEGIE JUNIOR FELLOWS
PROGRAM
WASHINGTON D.C.
2016 - 2017
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR
INTERNATIONAL PEACE
 Founded 1910 by Andrew Carnegie with a gift of $10 million
 Private, nonprofit, nonpartisan global think tank
 Dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and
promoting active international engagement by the US.
 Operations in Moscow, Beijing, Beirut, Brussels, Washington DC
 The Carnegie Endowment seeks to:
 develop improved understanding in the US on the local and regional
perspectives of those in other countries and regions;
 formulate actionable and practical policy prescriptions for US foreign
policy and international relations; and
 provide a model of how to do first-rate, independent policy research.
JUNIOR FELLOWS PROGRAM
 8-10 one-year fellowships
 Graduating seniors and
individuals who have
graduated during the past
academic year.
 Selected from a pool of
nominees from ~400
participating colleges.
 Work as research assistants to
the Endowment's senior associates:
 conduct research for books,
 co-author journal articles and
policy papers,
 participate in meetings with
high-level officials,
 contribute to congressional
testimony
 organize briefings attended by
scholars, journalists and
government officials, etc.
 Fellowship positions are paid, full-
time positions for one year:
 Approx. gross salary:
$3,166/month ($38,000 per
year) & full benefits package.
JUNIOR FELLOWS PROGRAM
THE WORK
“I spent about three-quarters of my time
doing research. I also wrote event
summaries for the website and updated the
China Program's homepage. Although I was
assigned a year-long project—conducting
research for a book that one of the senior
scholars is writing on the major drivers of
and trends in US-China relations—I had the
opportunity to work on several short-term,
sometimes spur-of-the-moment projects
along the way. Being a Junior Fellow also
allowed me to see some of the world's
foremost China experts address the very
issues that I researched on a daily basis.”
Ali Wyne, 08-09 Junior Fellow, China
Program
“The Fellows Program provided me
with an insider’s perspective on the
process of policy making in
Washington, from generation of ideas to
their implementation.”
Ashesh Prasann, Junior Fellow, 08-09
“I’ve learned how to position academic
work in a way that can be most helpful
and influential in impacting policy.”
Lauren Falcao, Junior Fellow, 08-09
APPLYING FOR UW NOMINATION
 Students cannot apply directly to the Foundation,
they must be nominated by a participating college or
university.
 Each participating college/university is allowed to
nominate 2 students per year.
 The UW’s nomination process is coordinated by the
Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards.
ELIGIBILITY
 You must be a UW graduating senior or recent alum
(graduated within the past academic year).
 UW’s suggested minimum GPA for applicants is 3.7.
 You need not be a U.S. citizen. However, all
applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. for a
full 12 months from August 1 through July 31
following graduation.
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Students on F-1 visas who are eligible to work in the U.S. from
August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017 may apply.
UW DEADLINE
 Campus Application Deadline: Dec. 15, 2015
 Early Jan.– UW finalists will be notified of their
outcome. Finalists will have very little time to make
final edits.
 1/14/16 – UW finalist applications submitted to the
Carnegie Foundation.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
 Completed UW online application
 One page or less, double-spaced essay on why you would
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like to become a junior fellow.
1-2 page resume
2 letters of recommendation
Name only of one faculty member you have approached to
work with you on the Thought Piece essay.
Unofficial transcripts
Thought Piece Essay: No more than 3 double-spaced pages
responding to the question for the program to which you
are applying.
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Topics are intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written
expression. The essays should be thought pieces, not research papers.
May ultimately be selected for a different, or more than one, program.
HOW TO SUBMIT
 Complete and submit the UW online application
 https://expo.uw.edu/expo/apply/359
 Complete the short essay, resume and Thought
Piece Essay
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Include your name on every page of every document.
 Your UW unofficial transcript will be included.
 If you transferred from another institution and did
significant coursework there, please include an unofficial
transcript from that institution as well.
 Application form, resume, transcripts, and both
essays submitted online.
 Recommenders should send their letters to Robin
TIPS: Overview
THE BASICS:
 Follow directions carefully
 Meet application deadlines
 Pay close attention to detail
 Put your name on all pages
MOST IMPORTANT PART OF APPLICATION:
 The Thought Piece Essay!
TIPS: Thought Piece Essay
 This is the single most important part of your application and
carries the most weight in the decision process
(the interview is very limited and more assesses ‘fit’)
 You must choose one project. Keep essay to that one topic,
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don’t try and answer two topics in one essay
This is not a research paper, more like an op-ed
They want to see the quality of your writing and thinking, how
you present and develop your argument
Focus: Analysis, logic, written expression
Citations: very limited number is OK, not focus
Add name to each page of essay
TIPS: Thought Piece Essay
 "This is a fast-paced and demanding place to work, with
high expectations about the quality of research produced. I
look for essays that demonstrate the candidate has the
writing ability to produce quality work." – Marina Ottaway, Senior
Associate in the Middle East Program
 "Be original. We review dozens of essays, and the best way
to stand out is to approach the question in a novel way that
demonstrates critical thinking." – Toby Dalton, Deputy Director of the
Nuclear Policy Program
 "Familiarize yourself with the topics Carnegie researches,
how we approach those issues, and the sources we use." –
Matthew Rojansky, Deputy Director of the Russia Eurasia Program
TIPS: Application Form
TIPS FOR QUESTIONS
#1 Research Program:
 Must choose one program
 Democracy by far most competitive (25%-40% of apps)
 Pay close attention to skill requirements listed in bulletin
#2 Work Permits:
 For detailed OPT-related questions, please ask
#3 If you are Abroad:
 Doesn’t preclude you from applying. Finalist interviews will be via video.
TIPS: Essay- Why you want to be a Jr. Fellow
"Make it personal. Tell a story that reveals your personality and demonstrates
something unique about yourself. Think of this statement as a jumping off point
for a great conversation during the interview." – Matthew Rojansky, Deputy Director
of the Russia Eurasia Program
 Provides a context for your application
 Won’t make or break application, but should be well-
written
 Connect personal goals, academic interests,
strengths, professional goals
TIPS: Resume
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) vs.
Resume format  hybrid
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Content and Formatting
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Consistent contact information
and include on each page
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Writing to scholars for researchbased position
ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE
 Academic coursework to highlight
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RESUME RESOURCES
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UW Career Center- Resume workshop,
Career Guide, Handouts
http://careers.washington.edu/Students/Resumes-and-Interviews
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Office of Merit Scholarships,
Fellowships & Awards- CV Workshops
& tips
http://expd.washington.edu/scholarships
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training/knowledge of application area
Research and writing experience,
major projects
Language skills and training
Quantitative skills (modeling)
International experience (study
abroad, time spent in region)
Include GPA
Honors, scholarships
Work (include jobs held during school)
Volunteer and internship experience
Leadership experience
Publications, memberships if
applicable
TIPS: Recommendations
"It's better to find someone who knows you well and
can speak to your qualities, rather than someone
with a high profile who can't." – Toby Dalton, Deputy Director of the
Nuclear Policy Program
 Knowledge of your writing/research areas
 Knows you over time
 Specialist in the same area you are applying within
 Will meet deadlines
NATIONAL PROGRAM TIMELINE -
 1/14/16 – UW finalist applications submitted to the Carnegie
Foundation.
 1/15/16 – Applications must be received by Carnegie
 Mid-February through early March – Selected finalists
interviewed remotely
 Mid-March – Selections made and candidates notified.
UW Contacts
 Robin Chang, Associate Director, Office of Merit
Scholarships Fellowships & Awards
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[email protected]
171 Mary Gates Hall
206-543-2603
 Information can be found at:
Office Of Merit Scholarships Fellowship & Awards:
http://expd.washington.edu/scholarships/search/searchresults.html?page_stub=carnegie
Carnegie Endowment For International Peace:
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrFellows