In a significant achievement that highlights the potential of young scholars in the field of international relations, undergraduates Noah Tan and Adrian Feinberg have been honored with the 2025 James C. Gaither Junior Fellowship, an esteemed program under the auspices of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Annually, universities and colleges across the nation nominate over 200 talented candidates for this national fellowship, from which only about 15 one-year fellowships are awarded. The Gaither fellows play a crucial role in providing research assistance to senior scholars at the Carnegie Endowment, engaging in a diverse array of projects that include writing op-eds, drafting reports, contributing to congressional testimonies, and organizing briefings for scholars, activists, journalists, and government officials.

The Gaither Junior Fellowship program is a remarkable opportunity for students aspiring to make a mark in international affairs and can be explored further on the Undergraduate Research website, where aspiring applicants can find details about the application process and deadlines, with submissions typically due in November.

Noah Tan, a senior majoring in international relations and minoring in music composition, is currently on a path to earn a coterminal masters degree in public policy. His journey toward applying for the fellowship was ignited by a compelling lecture from Herb Lin, a senior research scholar focused on cyber policy and security at the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). On the final day of his Technology and National Security course, Lin emphasized the pivotal role that young people occupy in the international security landscape and urged students to consider dedicating a portion of their lives to national service.

That can take many forms, such as soldier, civil servant, or diplomat, Tan remarked, noting his commitment to pursuing honors in international security through CISAC. I think my way to contribute before I head off to law school is by working as a scholar and thinking about our worlds most unsolvable, intractable issues. Working as a Junior Fellow at Carnegie will give me insight into the various facets of international relations, as well as the opportunity to be mentored by leading scholars at the organization. Following the fellowship, Tan has ambitious plans to attend Harvard Law School via its Junior Deferral Program, with aspirations to forge a career as an international lawyer.

Adrian Feinberg, also a standout international relations major, is pursuing honors with a focus on democracy, development, and the rule of law, complemented by minors in history and film & media. His interest in the Gaither Fellowship was sparked during a visit to the Carnegie Endowment while he was in Washington, D.C., last September. During this visit, Feinberg fortuitously engaged in an extensive conversation with Tom Carothers, who is the director of Carnegie's Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. This encounter had a significant impact on his decision to apply for the fellowship.

I am very excited to be working with leading scholars of democratic recessions in such a critical time for our country and the world at large, Feinberg expressed. Though I didn't know it when I applied, this work is more urgent than ever, and Im looking forward to contributing to research that reaches audiences beyond the academy whether thats journalists, readers of Emissary, or members of Congress. After completing the fellowship, Feinberg plans to pursue JD-PhD programs in history, aiming to deepen his expertise in the intersections between law and governance.