The IIJS Undergraduate On-Campus Fellowship offers students an opportunity to deepen their academic experience and connect with peers across Columbia. Fellows take part in invitation-only programs that explore Jewish and Israeli studies, history, and culture through thoughtful discussions and events featuring leading scholars and experts.

Funding
Fellows will receive anaward in recognition of their participation, with funding distributed after successful completion of the fellowship.

Eligibility
Students must be on campus in spring 2027 in order to be considered for the fellowship. Previous fellows are encouraged to apply; however, first-time applicants will receive priority consideration.

Requirements
To participate in the Fellowship, students must attend all required Fellowship events, complete a Jewish Studies course, and submit a written reflection on their experience. 

Applications are due by October 16. Please complete the form below to apply.

Next Steps
Applicants will be invited to a group interview. Details and scheduling information will be sent after the application deadline.

If you have questions, please email iijs@columbia.edu.

Click here to apply

The IIJS Israel Fellowship supports undergraduate students in Columbia College, Barnard College, the School of General Studies, and SEAS who are pursuing Jewish and Israel Studies-related research or professional experiences in Israel.

Funding
Fellowship awards are processed as a reimbursement and provide up to $1,000 to support approved projects taking place in summer 2027. Funds may be used for eligible expenses directly related to the project, including program fees, travel, and lodging. Expenses must be incurred during the summer 2027 fellowship period.

Eligibility
Religious programs and academic coursework are not eligible for funding. Previous fellows are encouraged to apply; however, first-time applicants will receive priority consideration.

Columbia UTRC Approval
Because this is a Columbia-sponsored fellowship, UTRC travel approval is required. Applicants must submit a draft itinerary for review and approval through Columbia’s undergraduate travel approval process, including the Undergraduate Travel Review Committee, Crisis24 Horizon, and their class dean. Students will not be approved to conduct Columbia-related travel or activity in locations with a Crisis24 Risk Rating of Extreme, or in countries subject to Columbia Travel Restrictions. High-risk travel proposals will be reviewed by the Elevated Travel and Activity Review Committee in addition to UTRC and Dean Review. Instructions for completing the UTRC application are [NEED TO ADD LINK--EMAILED VANESSA]. Funding is contingent on receiving University travel approval.

Requirements
Fellows are required to attend all fellowship events, complete a Jewish Studies course, and submit a written reflection on their experience.

Applications are due by February 15. Please complete the form below to apply.

Next Steps
Applicants will be invited to a group interview. Details and scheduling information will be sent after the application deadline.

If you have questions, please email iijs@columbia.edu.

Click here to apply.

The IIJS Global Fellowship supports undergraduate students in Columbia College, Barnard College, the School of General Studies, and SEAS who are pursuing Jewish and Israel Studies-related research or professional experiences located outside of Israel.

Funding
Fellowship awards are processed as a reimbursement and provide up to $1,000 to support approved projects taking place in summer 2027. Funds may be used for eligible expenses directly related to the project, including program fees, travel, and lodging. Expenses must be incurred during the summer 2027 fellowship period.

Eligibility
Projects must take place outside of Israel. Students participating in programs in Israel should apply to the IIJS Israel Fellowship. Religious programs and academic coursework are not eligible for funding. Previous fellows are encouraged to apply; however, first-time applicants will receive priority consideration.

Funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Columbia UTRC Approval
Applicants must submit a draft itinerary for review and approval through Columbia’s undergraduate travel approval process, including the Undergraduate Travel Review Committee, Crisis24 Horizon, and their class dean. Students will not be permitted to conduct Columbia-related travel or activity in locations with a Crisis24 Risk Rating of Extreme, or in countries subject to Columbia Travel Restrictions, except in exceptional circumstances. High-risk travel proposals must now be reviewed by the Elevated Travel and Activity Review Committee in addition to UTRC and Dean Review. Instructions for completing the UTRC application are [NEED TO ADD LINK--EMAILED VANESSA]. Funding is contingent on receiving University travel approval.

Requirements
Fellows are required to attend all fellowship events, complete a Jewish Studies course, and submit a written reflection on their experience.

Applications are due by February 15. Please complete the form below to apply.

Next Steps
Applicants will be invited to a group interview. Details and scheduling information will be sent after the application deadline.

If you have questions, please email iijs@columbia.edu.

Click here to apply.

The Naomi Prawer Kadar Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their Yiddish studies at Columbia through a Yiddish Study Abroad Program. The Naomi Fellowship includes participation in the Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program at Tel Aviv University in the summer of 2027 and the “Exploring Yiddishland” study trip, led by a Columbia faculty member. Previous “Exploring Yiddishland” trips have taken students to Poland and Argentina.

Program and Funding
The Fellowship includes tuition for an intensive four-week-long for-credit Yiddish language and literature course (80 course, 4 credits); a travel grant; housing at Tel Aviv University; travel, accommodation, and programming during the "Exploring Yiddishland" study trip. All other expenses are the responsibility of the student. The Fellowship requires full participation in both components of the program.

Dates
TBA

Eligibility
Open to CC, Barnard, GS, SEAS, SOA, SIPA, TC, JTS, and GSAS students who have maintained an overall 3.0 GPA and who, by May 2027, will have completed at least 4 credit points in Yiddish language courses in a Columbia Yiddish language program with a grade of “B” or higher. These four points (or more) must include at least one of the following courses:

  UN1101-UN1102 Elementary Yiddish I and II

  UN2101-UN2102 Intermediate Yiddish I and II

Please note Yiddish literature classes (in translation) and Yiddish for Academic Purposes cannot be counted as part of the required 4 points.

Availability
There are up to 6 fellowship spots for Summer 2027. The Fellowship will be awarded based on academic achievement and Yiddish language aptitude.

Course Credit
Students receive credit for participation in the fellowship. In order to obtain academic credit (4pts Yiddish II, Yiddish III, or 3pts for Yiddish IV or V) for the Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program, students need to 1) submit the Tel Aviv University transcript for the course; 2) score accordingly on Columbia’s placement exam; and 3) complete the next higher level of Yiddish language class(es) with at least a grade of B+. All awardees must complete the placement exam upon return to Columbia and before registering for Fall 2027 Columbia Yiddish classes; level of placement within Columbia’s language program depends on placement test results.

Requirements
In addition to participating in the Tel Aviv University Yiddish Language course and the “Exploring Yiddish Land” trip, Fellows must also write three blog posts about their Naomi Prawer Kadar Fellowship experience for the Fellowship website, take a language placement test, and must submit a written report for the Naomi Foundation in English, no later than September 1, 2027.

In addition, the Naomi Prawer Kadar Fellows must commit to at least three semesters of continuous Yiddish language instruction at Columbia: either two semesters before the summer program and one after, or one semester before the summer program and two after. Thus, the Naomi Prawer Kadar Fellowship will enable students to acquire points that can fulfill the Columbia language requirement and, additionally and significantly, can count toward a Concentration in Yiddish (21 points required) or Major in Yiddish (30 points).  

Application
To apply, please submit the following items to iijs@columbia.edu:

1) Application

2) College transcript

3) Language evaluation from your current Yiddish language instructor

Applications are due by March 26, 2027.

Sponsors of the Fellowship
The Fellowship is a program of the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, together with the Department of Germanic Languages. We thank the Naomi Foundation for their generous support of the Fellowship. 

If you have questions, please email iijs@columbia.edu.