At least one fellowship is awarded annually through nationwide competition to a recipient in each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and, taken together, the other territories. Fellows are required to teach American history, American government, or social studies in secondary schools for not less than one year for each full year of study for which assistance was received under a fellowship.
Candidates apply directly.
Teachers must have taught or be teaching full time to qualify for a fellowship. Fellows must enroll in graduate programs leading to master's degrees in history, political science, or education at accredited universities of their choice. Participation in an accredited four-week summer institute on the principles, framing, ratification, and implementation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights is required of all Fellows normally during the summer following their first year of study under fellowships.