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The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellowships are an extraordinary opportunity to work for a year in Washington, DC as a paid research assistant to some of the world's best scholars in the realm of international relations. Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars, working on Carnegie Endowment's projects, which change year to year. This year's positions are:

• Democracy / Rule of Law (Political Science background preferred)
• Middle East (Native or near-native Arabic language skills essential)
• Nonproliferation
• Russia (Excellent Russian language skills required)
• Central Asia (Excellent Russian language skills required)
• China (Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus)
• South Asia (Strong math skills required in additional to background in international affairs or political science)
• Energy and Climate (Quantitative skills required)
• U.S. Role in the World

Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists and government officials. A Grinnell alum who served as a Junior Fellow, Geoff Swenson '03, compared it to attending a university with 40 professors and eight students. Fellows have the chance to work closely with senior scholars, to think deeply about international relations, and to publish their thoughts. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is one of the leading think-tanks in Washington, highly respected throughout the world for its thoughtful, academic responses to international crises. Junior Fellows are paid $35,000 in addition to a competitive benefits package.

Members of the classes of 2010 and 2009 are eligible to apply, as long as they have not yet begun graduate studies. International students may apply as long as they are eligible to work in the US from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011, which typically means being here on an F-1 visa. Applicants to the Russia/Eurasia program must read and write Russian at a high level of proficiency; it is preferred that applicants to the China program read and write Chinese. The average Junior Fellow has a 3.7 GPA and significant coursework in international relations, history, political science, economics, Russian, or Chinese. International experience, such as a semester abroad, is preferred, as are candidates who plan a career related to International Relations. Independent study, such as a MAP, or assisting a professor with research (especially in a field related to IR) is also a great help, but is not required. Applicants must be nominated by their undergraduate institution (see below for nomination process).

According to the Carnegie website, "Applications are judged on the quality of the written essay, related academic study and/or work experience, grades, recommendations, and personal interviews." The three-page essay is by a key factor in being invited to an interview (assuming good grades and a demonstrated interest in international relations), and the interview is key to obtaining the Fellowship.

Grinnell may nominate two applicants for this opportunity. Applications for our nominations are due on Monday, November 16, 2009 by 5:00pm in 1233 Park St. A completed application will consist of the following elements:

• A completed application form
• A one-page, double-spaced essay on why you would like to become a Junior Fellow.
• A one- or two-page resume, including telephone number, address, extra-curricular activities and work experience.
• Two letters of recommendation, submitted directly to Doug Cutchins, 1233 Park St. One of these should be from the candidate's major department.
• A copy of your transcript, obtained from the Registrar's Office. This may be an unofficial copy, but should not be a copy printed off from PioneerWeb.
• An essay of no more than three pages on one of several questions contained in this document. Please note that each question is linked to a specific fellowship opportunity within the Carnegie Endowment. Think of this as an op-ed piece, not as a research paper. Please note that this is the most important part of the written application.
• A signed permission form and waiver from Grinnell College.

For the on-campus nomination process, please ensure that all application materials comply with these submission guidelines.

Our nominating committee, comprised of professors from the Political Science and Economics departments, will interview applicants in early December and announce our two nominees before winter break. Applications are due to the Carnegie Endowment in mid-January. Candidates must apply through Grinnell College and may not apply independently.

All applicants are expected to adhere to these ethical guidelines.

In recent years Grinnell has a strong history of success with this program. Though only 10-15% of the 200 applicants are invited to interview for the eight Fellowships each year, five of Grinnell's last twelve nominees have been finalists, and three of those five were selected as Fellows. Your undergraduate experience and education has prepared you exceptionally well for this opportunity, and you should be confident that you will be a good candidate if you are interested in applying.

For more information on this opportunity, or to have questions answered about the application process, please contact Doug Cutchins, x4408, 1233 Park St. Candidates should not contact the Carnegie Endowment directly. Candidates may, though, contact Grinnell alumni Geoff Swenson '03 (gswenson@gmail.com) or Gretchen Lay '07 (gretchen.lay@gmail.com) to learn more about their experiences as Carnegie Junior Fellows.