The award provides a one-year paid internship in Washington, D.C. with the Endowment. Junior Fellows work as research assistants on projects such as non-proliferation, democracy building, migration, international economics, and Russian/Eurasian issues. About twelve awards are given annually.

Selection Criteria 

Applicants first submit their materials to a campus committee for review. Cornell may nominate two students to the national competition. Students and alumni applications must be processed and endorsed through the CCS fellowships office to be eligible for the competition at the regional and/or national level. Endorsement decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Finalists’ interviews with the Endowment take place in the spring.

Selection decisions (both on campus and at the national level) are based on the following criteria:

• Academic record: a high GPA (generally 3.7 or above) is expected with coursework in international relations, government, history, economics, sociology or anthropology, or Russian studies.
• Commitment to a career in international affairs: internships, research, and related employment strengthen a student’s application.
• Two letters of recommendation: at least one should be from a professor in the student’s major.